Saxon Pre-school

Saxon Pre-school 3 High Street, Earls Barton, Northampton, NN6 0JG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 April 2017 2 June 2015

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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 Good 2

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This provision is good

 Staff are deployed effectively and work particularly well together. The organisation of the pre-school is good. Staff provide a relaxed, fun and homely environment, where children behave well and each child is respected and valued.  Children make independent choices about their play. They select from a range of easily accessible toys and resources in a welcoming environment.  Staff work well with parents and keep them fully informed about their children's learning and development. Parents speak highly of the staff team and the good service they receive.  Children benefit from a nurturing environment and a strong key-person system. They form secure attachments with staff and are confident to ask for help.  The staff team shows a strong commitment to providing a good provision. There is a shared vision of how to continue to drive improvement and respond to the needs of children and their families.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff attend training and receive support from managers to develop their practice. However, the programme for continuous professional development is not sharply focused on enhancing the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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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

 strengthen the evaluation of teaching so that specific areas of improvement for individual staff can be identified and supported through targeted professional development to continue to raise the quality of teaching.

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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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager. 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 good

The manager and staff work well as a team and have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Staff track children's progress well. The required progress check for two-year-old children enables staff to identify any gaps in children's learning or to make appropriate referrals. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have attended relevant training and have a good understanding of procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child. Staff work hard to establish and maintain successful partnerships with parents.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know all children very well. They gather information about children's capabilities when they start and use this information to plan appropriate activities for them. Children develop key skills. They learn to write their names and recognise letters. As they play, they gain an early understanding of numbers. For example, children explore the colours of paint as they print with vegetables and investigate objects which float in water. They enjoy matching games and develop their skills of observation. Children become engaged with stories, joining in with familiar rhymes and extending their early literacy skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff work hard to successfully create a welcoming atmosphere where children flourish. Children enjoy the secure and trusting relationships they have with staff. Staff are consistent in their approach and are good role models. Children learn to share, take turns and be kind to one another. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise in the garden and learn about healthy lifestyles. Snacks are nutritious and children learn to independently manage their lunchboxes. Children learn about people and communities through visits to places, such as the fire station, library and local shops.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children learn to be independent and gain a sense of responsibility. They choose resources which they put away when they have finished with them. Children confidently take care of their personal needs, such as washing their hands and pouring drinks. They make good progress in their learning during their time at the pre-school and are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. Children benefit from the good links staff have established with the local primary school, and experience continuity in their care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 220201 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 1090063 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Saxon Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 2 June 2015 Telephone number 01604 813789

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reference number

Saxon Pre-school was registered in 2000. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Thursday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 12.45pm on Monday and Wednesday. On Tuesday and Thursday sessions run from 8.45am until 11.45am and then from 12.15pm until 3.15pm. The pre-school receives funding to provide free 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

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

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