St John's Pre-School

St John's Pre-School St John's Centre, Greenway Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 6HA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 October 2016 7 December 2012

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The provider has failed to provide Ofsted with the information about a new committee member, in order for suitability checks to be carried out.  The manager does not have robust supervision procedures in place to ensure staff practice meets the needs of all children.  Systems used to monitor children's progress are not yet used to analyse the progress of specific groups of children.  Occasionally, staff are too quick to give children the answers to the questions that they have asked them and so teaching strategies do not always fully support children to rapidly develop their language skills.  The current methods used to engage parents in their child's learning and development are not always highly successful.

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It has the following strengths

 Children's behaviour is good. Staff are clear about their expectations and talk with children about the pre-school rules and how to manage their feelings. Children cooperate and take turns, and invite each other into their play. This helps develop children's social skills and prepares them well in readiness for school.  Children have a wide range of opportunities to build on their physical skills. They use bikes and balance on wooden beams to build their strength and flexibility. Furthermore, their small-muscle strength is promoted as they draw, make marks in the sand and transport water into a water mill.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure that Ofsted is provided with the necessary information to enable them to carry out suitability checks for new members of the committee 20/10/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that staff supervision sessions are more effective to help staff raise the quality of their practice and improve the learning outcomes for children. 21/10/2016

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 strengthen tracking systems to monitor the progress of specific groups of children more closely  enhance teaching skills when staff are asking questions to children to give them the time to think through things for themselves and develop their own ideas  develop different ways to fully engage all parents in their children's learning and development.

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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 pre-school manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager and the early years consultancy teacher.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the evidence of the suitability of staff working at the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to staff, children and parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector had a tour of the pre-school.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The provider has failed to provide the required information to Ofsted so that the necessary suitability checks can be carried out for a new committee member. However, this person does not have direct contact with children. Therefore, there is no significant risk. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff have sufficient knowledge of keeping children safe and the procedures to follow should they have any concerns. The manager carries out supervision sessions. However, these are not used effectively to discuss key children's progress, help staff to reflect on their practice observed or to discuss their performance. The setting supports children who have special educational needs or a disability and works closely with other professionals to provide targeted additional support. However, the good systems in place for monitoring children's progress have yet to be fully refined to analyse the progress of specific groups of children.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

This includes children who are in receipt of additional funding.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff gather sufficient information to establish children's stages in learning when they first start. They then observe the children closely as they settle in. This helps staff to adapt or enhance the environment and plan appropriate activities to support children's next steps in learning. Staff offer opportunities for parents to discuss their child's progress at the pre- school. However, methods used to try and engage all parents in extending their children's learning at home are not wide reaching. Staff are qualified and overall, have good teaching skills. They show interest in what children are doing and add excitement to their learning experiences. For example, staff take children into the forest area of the garden to find bugs and develop an understanding of the natural world around them. Staff continually talk with children, expanding their vocabulary with new words used in context. However, at times staff do not give children the time to answer things for themselves, and

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

People in a position to influence decision making that effects children's well-being have not had their suitability verified. However, children's welfare is not compromised as they do not have any contact with the children. Staff get to know children very well and pay close attention to children's individual needs. This helps develop good relationships between staff and children. Children are confident, happy and secure while at the pre- school. They have good opportunities to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and develop their independence. For example, they pour their own drinks, and clear their cups and plates away after use. Children follow good hygiene routines. They independently wash their hands after playing outdoors and before eating.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their development. They show high levels of curiosity and children are active learners. Children choose from a wide range of resources. This ignites their motivation to explore and they are willing to have a go. Children develop the skills they need for their move on to nursery or school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY245131 Local authority Halton Inspection number 1059636 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 37 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person St Johns PCC

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 December 2012 Telephone number 0151 420 2942

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reference number

St. John's Pre-School was registered in 2002. It is in the Appleton area of Widnes. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday from 9am to midday and from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, except for Thursdays, during term times. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports children who have special educational needs or disability.

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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

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