Spire Pre-School

Spire Pre-School Belmont Centre, Belmont Road, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1BP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 October 2016 22 January 2013

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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 pre-school is effectively led by a knowledgeable management team. Staff are passionate about and committed to providing good standards of care and learning.  Staff plan interesting, enjoyable experiences based on children's individual assessments and current interests. Children join in enthusiastically and are eager to explore. They make good progress in their development.  Staff are good role models. They reinforce positive behaviour through praise and encouragement. Children gain a clear understanding of how to manage their behaviour.  The pre-school works effectively with other settings children attend to provide consistency in children's care, learning and development.  Management seeks the views of children, parents and staff to help bring about ongoing improvement.  Partnerships with parents are good. Information is shared well, both verbally and through the use of a software program. This give parents the opportunity to be fully

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not provide opportunities for children to explore and practise their early writing skills using a range of different media and materials.  Staff do not consider the organisation of some activities to enable all children to be fully involved.

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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

 provide more opportunities for children to explore their early writing skills using a range of different media and materials  review the organisation of some activities to make sure that all children participate fully.

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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 spoke with members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and held meetings with the pre-school manager.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector sampled a range of documents including children's development records, records of staff suitability and qualifications, and safeguarding procedures.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection and looked at parents' written questionnaires.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a good understanding of child protection procedures and their responsibility to safeguard children's welfare. Strong arrangements are in place for the selection and recruitment of suitable staff. For example, management makes sure that staff have the required checks to ensure they are suitable to work with children. The manager effectively monitors staff practice regularly and supports them closely to help identify appropriate learning and professional development opportunities. This helps to ensure that the overall quality of teaching, learning and care is continually improving.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make effective use of observations and assessments to identify children's next steps in learning and plan activities which motivate them to learn. Staff focus sharply on helping children to acquire communication and language development and question what is happening. For example, staff support children in using descriptive words as they explore the smell of different ingredients and their use when baking. Staff use everyday opportunities to extend children's imaginations in storytelling. For example, when staff read stories, they invite children to anticipate what might happen next. Children participate in good opportunities to learn about what happens within their local community. For instance, they visit an animal sanctuary and fire station, and travel on a train.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have close relationships with staff. They develop confidence and a strong sense of emotional security. For example, children approach adults confidently, sharing their creative artwork. Children's behaviour is good. They learn important skills such as taking turns and sharing. Staff carefully organise the environment and provide well-considered activities. Children are keen to participate in activities and make independent choices about their play and learning. Children are developing their knowledge of a healthy lifestyle. For example, they follow good hygiene routines and choose from a wide range of healthy choices during snack time.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning and development from their starting points. They gain good mathematical skills, for instance they compare weight and volume when baking. Children enjoy being physically active. They learn how to balance using stepping stones, climb structures, manoeuvre bikes and kick footballs. Children learn about the natural world, and how things grow and decay over time. Children make good progress from their starting points and develop the skills they need for future learning and moving on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY401755 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 1062329 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Spire Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 January 2013 Telephone number 01825762268

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reference number

Spire Pre-School registered in 2009. It operates from the Belmont Centre in Uckfield, East Sussex. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 8.15am until 3.45pm during school term times. The pre-school supports children who have special educational needs or disability. It receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs 11 staff and nine have appropriate early years qualifications.

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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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