Michaelchurch Preschool

Michaelchurch Preschool Escleyside Hall, Michaelchurch Escley, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR2 0PT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 September 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Well-qualified leaders and staff are passionate about the service they provide. They reflect well on their practice and are highly committed to ongoing professional development. They access a wide range of training opportunities to further enhance their knowledge. This has a positive impact on the outcomes for children.  Staff provide children with a broad and stimulating range of activities, which keeps them motivated and interested. Children spend lots of time outdoors. They use their imagination as they pretend to cook and make potions in the outdoor kitchen.  Children are developing very good communication and language skills. They are articulate and confident during their play and interaction with staff and visitors.  Partnerships with parents and the local school are very good. This contributes strongly to meeting children's needs and ensuring consistency in their care and learning.  Teaching is very good. Staff support children to try things and take risks to succeed. For

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This provision is good

example, children confidently use the branches of small trees to help them climb and learn how to use tools, such as small saws, safely.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always plan precisely enough for children's next steps in learning.  Staff do not ask parents for enough information when they first start about what their children can already do at home. This means they are not able to focus their initial assessments precisely enough to help them monitor children's progression effectively from the outset.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 plan even more precisely for children's learning to make sure their identified next steps are achievable and more specific, so that they make the best possible progress  establish even firmer starting points for children's learning by seeking precise, detailed information from parents about their child's prior learning and development when they first begin to attend.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. She discussed the nursery's self-evaluation, looked at children's learning records, the planning documentation and a range of other documents.  The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the registered persons of the provision.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager works alongside the staff and has an accurate overview of the quality of teaching. Staff morale is high and the team work closely together to identify and set out clear priorities and planned developments. Regular supervision meetings enable the manager to identify training and development opportunities for staff. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. There are robust vetting systems in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff understand how to recognise possible signs and symptoms of abuse, and are confident in the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare. Children's individual progress is checked to identify any gaps in their learning and development. Any specific support they may need is swiftly provided.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know children well. Children are offered an inspiring range of resources that quickly captures their curiosity and helps them develop a positive attitude towards learning. For example, children investigate the texture of sheep's wool. They think and share ideas as they use coloured water to change its colour. The outdoor area is used extremely well to offer children the freedom to explore, use their senses and be physically active. Children enjoy long walks and collect different sized sticks for the fire. Staff skilfully promote children's early mathematical skills as they incorporate numbers, counting, shape and size into everyday activities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The environment is warm and welcoming. Resources are stored to enable children to easily select what they want to play with for themselves. Staff regularly consult with children and seek their ideas about activities they enjoy and their current interests. Behaviour is very good. Staff are excellent role models. They speak to children in a calm and respectful manner. Children enjoy a close and caring relationship with their key person, who helps them to feel settled and supports their emotional well-being. Children learn about the benefits of eating healthily and enjoy cooking outdoors. For example, they watch as staff make porridge for snack over the open fire and choose what fruits they would like to eat with their porridge.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points and acquire the key skills required in preparation for school. They show sustained levels of concentration and enjoy trying new experiences, investigating and exploring. Children learn about quantity as they fill and empty different sized containers. Early literacy skills are emerging. Children enjoy listening to stories and give meaning to the marks they make. They are well behaved and show care and concern for others and their environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY484418 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 1000704 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 5 Name of registered person Michaelchurch Pre-School

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01981 510208

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reference number

Michaelchurch Preschool was registered in 2015. It operates on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am until 3pm, during term time only. The pre-school employs four members of staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications to at least level 3, one member of staff has qualified teacher status. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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