St Helen's Pre School

St Helen's Pre School Jubilee Hall, Greenhill, Alveston, Bristol, BS35 2QX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 September 2016 15 October 2012

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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

 The manager and staff have a good understanding of how children learn. They use this knowledge to provide a range of stimulating and challenging activities. Children are continually busy and make good progress from their initial starting points.  The manager and staff are good role models. Children are encouraged to resolve conflict and solve problems for themselves. They are kind, tolerant and respectful and understand the pre-school's expectations for good behaviour.  Partnerships with parents are good. Parents are kept very well informed about their children's progress and how to support this at home. Parents comment that they value the care and learning experiences their children receive.  The manager seeks the views of parents, staff and children in their drive for continual improvement. She has successfully implemented improvements to raise outcomes for children. For example, children now have many opportunities to develop their

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This provision is good

understanding of numbers when playing outdoors.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, staff do not allow children enough time to share and discuss their own experiences and answer questions during their play and learning.  Staff do not always provide children with regular opportunities to develop their early writing skills to the highest possible level.

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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

 extend opportunities for children to think, respond and share their own knowledge and ideas during their play and learning  provide more opportunities for children to practise their early writing skills in all areas of the setting.

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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 sampled a range of documentation, including attendance records, accident records, staff suitability checks, the self-assessment information, children's observation, assessment and planning records, and documentation linked to managing children's progress.  The inspector spoke with members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and held meetings with the pre-school manager.  The inspector took into account the views of parents and carers spoken to on the day of the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff have a thorough understanding of what to do should they have any concerns about children's welfare. Recruitment and induction procedures are rigorous, to help ensure that adults are suitable to work with children. The manager monitors the impact of teaching and learning effectively. For example, she analyses the progress that all children make and takes effective action to address any differences in children's levels of achievement. The established, qualified staff team works extremely well together to support children's good outcomes. The manager completes regular supervisions and team meetings to help ensure that all staff are well supported. Any training needs are quickly identified to help develop their knowledge and expertise. Staff understand the importance of working closely with other professionals to help ensure continuity in children's care and learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff observe and assess children during their play and plan appropriate next steps to help children make good progress. Overall, children's early communication skills are developing effectively. They show confidence in using new words, such as 'unicorn' and 'binoculars' to help describe what they are doing. Children sing songs and listen attentively to a range of stories. Children are imaginative learners. For example, they stamp their feet though the 'long wavy grass' and roar at their friends, who squeal with excitement at being chased. Children enjoy a good range of experiences that stimulate them and keep them engaged. For example, they build in trees using sticks and leaves and persist as they use tools confidently to peel fresh vegetables.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are very happy and enjoy their time at the pre-school. Staff frequently praise children for their efforts and successes, which encourages their motivation and good levels of self-esteem. Children develop independence particularly well. They quickly learn to manage their own self-care needs and make choices about what they want to do. Children have daily opportunities to play outdoors and extend their physical skills. For example, they spend the majority of their daily sessions in the natural environment, managing risks and developing their awareness of keeping safe.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in readiness for school. They are confident, active learners who are inquisitive and motivated to learn. Children learn to respect people's differences as they explore and celebrate their own cultures and beliefs, and those of others. Children develop their early mathematical skills well. For example, they sort, count and match as they play, and most-able children use simple addition and subtraction.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY306172 Local authority South Gloucestershire Inspection number 1058827 Type of provision Sessional 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 16 Name of registered person St Helen's Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 October 2012 Telephone number 07717 216762

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reference number

St Helen's Pre School registered in 2005 and operates from the Jubilee Hall, in Greenhill, Alveston, Bristol. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, and two hold a qualification at level 3. The manager holds early years professional status. The pre-school opens on Monday from 9am to 3pm and on Tuesday to Friday from 9am to midday, during term time only. The pre-school provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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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