St George's Pre-School (Taunton)

St George's Pre-School (Taunton) St Georges Catholic School, The Mount, Taunton, TA1 3NR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 February 2017 9 September 2014

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The inspiring management team evaluates the provision highly effectively, developing astute action plans. Constant analysis of data and exceptional monitoring of children's progress ensure highly accurate evaluation of their ability, enabling staff to reduce any gaps in learning in a very efficient way. This is particularly evident for children who are learning English as an additional language.  The manager is an excellent role model and guides, coaches and trains her staff extremely successfully to provide very high-quality teaching throughout the pre-school. Training is highly responsive to children's needs, for example, to support their communication and language skills and understanding of diversity. All children make excellent progress from their starting points.  Children are exceedingly well motivated to learn. They explore a highly stimulating learning environment with great enthusiasm. They are keen to be involved, for

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This provision is outstanding

example, to follow a recipe to make dough, and take ownership for their learning choices.  Staff support children's emotional well-being extremely well. They are very respectful of children's play, for example, providing a five-minute warning so that children can finish their activities. Staff praise and celebrate children's achievements highly consistently, which helps build children's very strong self-esteem.

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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

 explore further ways for children to solve problems to extend their critical thinking even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff's interactions with children as they played inside and outside.  The inspector spoke with the management team, trustees, parents, staff and children at convenient times during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager and discussed how staff are supported in their professional development.  The inspector sampled documentation, including the pre-school's self-evaluation, staff's suitability checks and children's assessment records.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Safeguarding is effective. There are extensive arrangements for the vetting, recruitment and induction of new staff. The management team and staff have a very strong understanding of their responsibility to report any concerns about a child. They work exceptionally well with safeguarding agencies. Improvements since the last inspection have ensured there are exceptional opportunities for children to learn and respect each other's cultures. For example, staff use outside agencies exceedingly well to help children work together and respect each other's ideas. Staff involve parents very successfully in their children's learning and keep them very well informed of their children's progress. There are excellent partnerships with professionals and other early years settings, especially to support children who have special educational needs. Staff forge very strong links with the school, which particularly helps children's emotional readiness for school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Diligent staff plan very stimulating activities that capture children's interest at the highest level to support them to reach their full potential. Staff have an excellent knowledge of what children need to learn next and they very skilfully challenge their development. Staff support children's communication and language skills expertly. For example, they provide clear instruction, both visually and verbally. They question children very effectively and expand their vocabulary, such as exploring their ideas as they use water and brushes competently to paint the fence. However, at times, staff do not encourage children to solve problems and help them develop their critical thinking more fully.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children are very self-assured and emotionally secure. They relish the opportunity to help, for example, to lay the table for snack or complete the daily register. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They show great care and consideration for each other and play cooperatively. For example, children are highly imaginative as they explore different ways to use a large cardboard box together. The highly stimulating outdoor area gives ample opportunities for children to challenge their physical skills and learn to take risks safely. For example, children confidently explore how to adjust their speed safely on the slide.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are extremely confident, independent learners. They gain superb skills that prepare them exceptionally well for school. Children develop a love of books. They listen exceptionally well to stories and become deeply involved in their learning. They have a highly positive attitude to learning and eagerly take part in activities. For example, they actively engage in making dough. They recall the recipe, measure and mix ingredients. Children take turns successfully and communicate their ideas very confidently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY474983 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 1071820 Type of provision Full-time 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 35 Name of registered person ST GEORGE'S PRE-SCHOOL (TAUNTON)

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 9 September 2014 Telephone number 01823284130

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reference number

St George's Pre-School (Taunton) registered in 2014. It is governed by a board of trustees. It operates from purpose-built accommodation on St George's Catholic School site in Taunton, Somerset. The pre-school opens from 9am until 3.15pm each weekday during school term time only. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years. The trustees employ a manager who has an early years qualification at level 5. She is supported by six members of staff, of whom one holds qualified teacher status, one holds an early years qualification at level 4, and four hold early years qualifications at level 3.

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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

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

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