Allendale Pre-School

Allendale Pre-School Happy Days, Shilburn Road, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 9PT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 March 2017 Not applicable

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision is inadequate

 The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of changes to the committee so that the vetting process can be carried out to ensure that all members are suitable to be involved in the running of the pre-school.  Children's welfare is compromised. The provider has a poor knowledge of the requirements of the early years foundation stage. The provider does not keep a record of all the required information of the vetting processes carried out on staff.  The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of changes to the pre-school leader.  Staff do not ensure that the progress check is completed for all children aged between two and three years and consistently provide parents with a written summary of this.  Occasionally, staff do not support children's understanding of positive behaviour, in order for children to learn the consequences of their actions and the reasons why some behaviour is not acceptable.

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It has the following strengths

 Parents appreciate the support and guidance provided by the staff and find them welcoming and approachable. Staff provide some useful information to help parents support their child's learning at home.  Staff have created an environment with a good range of resources that children can confidently choose from for themselves and they are caring and sensitive with children.  Staff have sound relationships with other settings that children attend and move on to. They share relevant information to help encourage continuity in children's care, learning and development.

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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 on committee members 16/03/2017

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Due Date

 put in place robust vetting systems to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and that information about staff's qualifications is obtained and recorded 16/03/2017

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Due Date

 ensure the progress check for children aged between two and three years is completed for all children and parents are provided with a written summary. 16/03/2017

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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

 give children consistent messages and explanations, to further promote their understanding of positive behaviour.

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Inspection activities

 The inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information received by Ofsted.  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 the staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school leader.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school leader and provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre- school.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is not effective. Ofsted has not been informed of changes to the committee in order for them to carry out suitability checks. In addition, the provider has not notified Ofsted of a change to the pre-school leader. The provider does not record all the required information about the vetting process carried out to establish that staff are suitable to work with children. This relates to staff qualifications. The provider has systems in place to ensure that all staff have a required Disqualification and Barring Service check. A programme of induction for new staff is in place. Risk assessments are carried out to ensure the premises are safe. Staff make sure that children are supervised and ratios are met. Clear procedures are in place regarding complaints. The newly appointed leader has systems in place for reviewing staff practice, training needs and the provision and this is in its infancy. The provider, leader and staff are knowledgeable about child protection issues.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

They know what to do if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Furthermore, they understand the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff use observations and assessments to monitor children's development and identify the next stages in their learning. However, they do not consistently complete the required progress check for all children aged between two and three years. Therefore, they do not always provide parents with a written summary. Staff plan activities based on children's interest, such as their interest in a creature from a popular story. They enjoy dressing up as the creature and using paint to make its foot prints. Children take part in group activities that promote sharing and taking turns as well as supporting their speaking and listening skills. For example, they take turns to use peelers while they prepare the fruit for their crumble. Staff teach them how to use the tool correctly and safely. They introduce simple counting and encourage children to identify colours. Staff interact with children and talk to them about their home life, supporting their language skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Weaknesses in leadership and management mean that children's welfare is not assured. Nevertheless, children develop close relationships with staff who welcome them warmly on arrival. The key-person system is effective and staff get to know children and their families well. Children learn about healthy food. They enjoy nutritious meals and discuss making healthy choices with staff. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills and enjoy spending time outside in the fresh air. Staff are kind and caring. However, they do not always support children's understanding of positive behaviour to help them learn why some behaviour is not acceptable.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Weaknesses in assessment processes mean that information about the progress that specific groups of children make is not shared in a timely way. Despite this, children are working comfortably within the range typical for their age. Older children develop their early writing skills. They make marks when playing with chalks and other writing tools. Children speak with confidence to adults and their peers. They are starting to manage their own hygiene needs and are developing independence skills. They are gaining the key skills they need to support their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498781 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 1086288 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 21 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Allendale Pre-School

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01434683042

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reference number

Allendale Pre-School was registered in 2016. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, one member holds early years professional status, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one at level 2. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 3.15pm. The pre- school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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