Darwen St James CE Primary Academy (part of Cidari Multi Academy Trust)

Darwen St James CE Primary Academy (part of Cidari Multi Academy Trust) St. James C E Nursery, Chapels Site, Winterton Road, DARWEN, Lancashire, BB3 0ER

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 January 2017 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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 The passionate leadership team and well-qualified staff provide an extremely warm and welcoming environment for children to enjoy. They experience a rich and varied range of opportunities that is constantly adapted to their interests to promote their learning.  Staff carry out regular and precise assessments of children's learning. Children's individual needs are met very well. All children, including those in receipt of additional funding, are very effectively supported to make good progress and close any gaps in learning quickly.  Children are exceptionally well cared for and demonstrate warm and trusting relationships with staff. Staff are excellent role models and children behave very well.  The management team demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement. They regularly reflect and evaluate the provision, and areas identified for ongoing improvement are purposeful and benefit the children directly.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, staff do not differentiate individual activities for children quickly enough to ensure their very best possible progress. January 2017 2 of 5

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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

 enhance teaching skills during activities to provide children with the best possible level of challenge, in order to increase the potential for them to make greater progress in their learning.

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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.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the evidence of the suitability of staff. She also discussed the self-evaluation procedures.  The inspector held a meeting with the management team.  The inspector carried out a tour of the nursery.  The inspector spoke to staff, children and parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager ensures that staff provide secure premises, fully understand their role in protecting children and are well trained in safeguarding issues and paediatric first aid. The management team and staff have a clear sense of purpose and strong vision for improvement. Staff work closely with the host school and other professionals to help maximise chances for all children, including those who speak English as an additional language. Parents have access to a wide range of information about how their children learn and ways to support their learning at home. Highly effective systems are used to closely monitor children's progress. The manager uses this information well to swiftly identify any gaps in learning. Effective supervision and training of staff contribute well to continuous improvement in the quality of teaching. Additional funding is used effectively to support children who need extra help to catch up.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have a very good understanding of how to promote children's learning through play. Overall, teaching skills are good. Staff engage very well with children during activities and use questions to extend their learning. Children thoroughly enjoy planned activities that help to develop their early handwriting skills. All children have many opportunities to practise making marks. For example, paper and pencils are freely accessible for them to record their findings as they explore how ice melts to water. Calendar time helps set children up well for their learning at the start of the session, where they explore weather and mathematical concepts in a relaxed and social atmosphere. Younger children demonstrate their understanding of technology as they complete mathematical puzzles on the wall-mounted touchscreen.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The manager and staff are exceptionally kind, reassuring and encouraging. Children feel their views count as staff value their ideas and interests, and praise their efforts and achievements. The highly stimulating environment is very well resourced and precisely tailored to children's interests. This helps promote their developing independence skills as they freely choose activities to become absorbed in. Children are very well nourished. They access healthy foods and drinks on arrival and freely throughout the session. Children confidently manage their own personal care and thoroughly enjoy being physically active in the fresh air. They actively risk assess the outdoor area daily and have an excellent understanding of how to stay safe and help each other. Children are extremely happy, settled and self-assured.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make very good progress in relation to their starting points, which are often below those typical for their age. They are well prepared with a wide range of skills for the next stage in their learning, including school. Children are confident communicators. They are able to express their needs and feelings well. January 2017 4 of 5

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY485537 Local authority Blackburn Inspection number 1016625 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 36 Name of registered person Darwen St James Ce Primary Academy (part Of Cidari Multi Academy Trust)

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01254703260

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Darwen St James CE Primary Academy (part of Cidari Multi Academy Trust) was registered in 2014. The nursery employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2, 3, or 4, and the manager is qualified at degree level. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8.30am to 11.30am and midday to 3pm during term time. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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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. January 2017 5 of 5

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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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Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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

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