Victoria Road Pre-school

Victoria Road Pre-school Tilehurst Village Hall, Victoria Road, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG31 5AB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 March 2017 2 February 2015

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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 Good 2

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

 The provider has failed to inform Ofsted of her resignation and the subsequent appointment of the manager to this role, and has not informed Ofsted of changes to the committee, as required. The manager is unsure of the requirement to inform Ofsted of significant events, such as when absent from the provision for lengthy periods.  Sometimes, staff miss opportunities to build on and sustain children's curiosity, for example about the natural world, such as the animals that live in it.

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It has the following strengths

 The manager and supervisor lead their staff well. Staff use consistent systems to monitor and assess children's progress effectively, and have a clear understanding of children's achievements and individual needs.  Children make good progress. They benefit from a welcoming environment and enjoy the challenging outdoor area, which supports them to develop new skills as they play.  Staff evaluate their practice consistently to improve outcomes for children, including building on the support for parents to extend their children's learning at home.  Parents positively comment about how their children develop confidence and independence, and the effective feedback they receive about children's achievements.

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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

 develop knowledge and understanding of the requirements to notify Ofsted. 18/04/2017

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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

 help children learn more about natural habitats to support their understanding of things they have observed, such as animals, to broaden their curiosity about the wider world.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff interactions with children during play activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector and the supervisor completed two joint observations. They spent time discussing how staff plan for children's learning and how they monitor the progress children make.  The inspector sampled documentation and children's records.  The inspector met with the manager and supervisor. They discussed how they evaluate the provision and develop staff practice.  The inspector spoke with children, parents and staff at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Generally, the manager has appropriate systems for the recruitment and training of staff. For example, staff highlight how training in using sign language has made a positive impact on the support for children's communication and language skills. The manager ensures staff implement policies, procedures and risk assessments efficiently, to keep children safe and secure. Safeguarding is effective. The manager, supervisor and staff know the procedures to follow to protect children. However, the provider failed to inform Ofsted of her resignation, and of changes to the committee, as required. Nonetheless, the notification process has now started, and all committee members have completed checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service, and do not have unsupervised access to children. However, as yet, Ofsted has not completed all suitability checks. The manager did not notify Ofsted about her absence recently, as required. However, she ensured

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

suitable arrangements for children's care and learning continued.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know children well. They use focused observations to plan for children's next steps in learning. Staff interact well with children. For example, they encourage children to use vocabulary to describe the texture of sand, and talk about the different patterns they make in it, using various tools. They help children to consider where the sand will go if they pour it down a funnel and what will happen if they put their finger under this tightly. Partnerships with other professionals are well established and staff are confident to provide support for children, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, to help them catch up with their peers.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave very well. They play cooperatively with their friends and show respect for their toys. Staff encourage children to learn about equality and diversity effectively. For example, children listen to others and take turns. They learn different ways that people communicate. For example, they use sign language to greet one another. Children have regular opportunities to play outdoors and independently put on their coats. They enjoy snack time, and carefully pour drinks and peel fruit.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children enjoy their play. They confidently recognise numbers and the sequence of these as they eagerly take part in small groups that support their listening skills and early number recognition. They develop creativity as they make pictures representing spring. They enthusiastically join in singing with others and develop language and confidence skills securely. All children learn a good range of skills and show readiness for the next stages of their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 116836 Local authority Reading Inspection number 1085709 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 26 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Victoria Road Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 2 February 2015 Telephone number 07989261637

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reference number

Victoria Road Pre-school registered in 1968. It operates from Tilehurst Village Hall, which is situated to the west of Reading. The pre-school opens weekdays, during term time only, with sessions from 9.15am to 12.15pm or 9.15am to 2.15pm. The pre-school employs 11 staff. Of these, six staff hold appropriate childcare qualifications. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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

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

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