St Martin Twinkling Stars

St Martin Twinkling Stars St Martin in Meneage School, St. Martin, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 6BT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 November 2016 22 February 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

 Staff accurately identify children's developmental starting points and successfully help children to achieve their next steps. Their effective observation, assessment and planning procedures show that gaps in learning close quickly and children make good progress.  Partnerships with parents are effective. Staff work closely with them to support children well, such as to help children develop their independence skills.  The new committee and the new manager use self-evaluation well to identify future areas to develop. They involve staff effectively in this process. Current plans for ongoing improvement include extending the learning opportunities for children outdoors.  Staff give close support and attention to children to keep them safe and happy. They provide a good range of resources and activities that interest and engage children well.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Due to receiving incorrect information, the provider has failed to complete the process so that Ofsted can carry out additional checks on new committee members. However, there is no impact on children's welfare as these members do not work on the premises with the children.  Staff miss opportunities to involve children more in discussions that develop their thinking and engagement and extend their interaction in learning further.

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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

 develop staff's skills to encourage children to think things through, consider their answers and contribute to conversations with their own thoughts and ideas, to extend their interaction in learning further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff and children in their indoor and outdoor activities.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff and the chair of the committee. She also spoke with the children during the inspection to gain their views on the setting.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager to assess the quality of teaching and the effectiveness of staff support.  The inspector checked documentation, including training certificates, evidence of suitability checks for staff and committee members, and children's development records.  The inspector read the self-evaluation form and viewed the safety of the premises.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Since the last inspection, the pre-school has undergone a number of changes. The members of the new management team are working together well to monitor their effectiveness. They have updated their policies and procedures in line with current guidance to ensure staff provide good quality care. The manager works well with staff to reflect on the success of activities and amend their educational programme accordingly. For example, they ensure that learning challenges for two-year-olds are age-appropriate to encourage and support their successful achievement. Safeguarding is effective. The management team and staff have a secure knowledge of child protection procedures to protect children's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Following recent training, staff are increasing their use of signing to support younger children more in their communication. Children show interest in their surroundings and happily explore. They select toys and resources with confidence, readily join in activities and enjoy being creative. Staff encourage children well in their play, so they engage in a wide range of experiences. For example, young children explore and experiment with staff as they mix paste and water to create a thicker consistency. They make a paper plate collage and talk about the 'sticky glue'. Children develop good concentration as they play board games with staff and listen to stories.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff support children's behaviour well. For example, they use books, puppets and pictures to help young children understand and express their emotions. Older children learn about the 'golden rules', which teach children to have respect and to be kind. Staff support children effectively to manage change. For example, before children start at the setting, staff offer home visits to meet families and successfully help children to settle in at pre- school. Children enjoy a lunchtime visit to school each week. They become familiar with the premises and a larger group of children, which prepares them effectively for moving on to school. Staff teach children to be safe. For instance, young children stay at the table until they have finished eating, to prevent choking. Children show pride and self-esteem in their achievements. They show enthusiasm as they choose to take their pictures home or ask staff to display them.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children have fun as they learn. They understand the routines and are keen to participate. Children develop important skills from an early age, which prepare them well for school. For example, two-year-olds learn to share and become friends. Children make good progress in their social development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 102949 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 824716 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 2 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 3 Name of provider St Martin Under Fives Group Committee Date of previous inspection 22 February 2012 Telephone number 07974871300

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Setting details

St Martin Twinkling Stars pre-school opened in 1998. It operates from a separate building in the grounds of St Martin in Meneage School, Helston. It opens on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9am until 3.15pm. A parent and toddler group operates on a Wednesday morning. There are two staff employed to work with the children; both have qualifications at level 3. The pre-school receives early education funding to provide free places for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school is run by a committee.

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Setting details

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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Setting details

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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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

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