St Joseph's Swans and Cygnets Pre-School

St Joseph's Swans and Cygnets Pre-School 125 Newtown Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 1PF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 May 2017 17 April 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 is not clear about all of their roles and responsibilities. This includes changes in the pre-school committee that they must notify to Ofsted. Not all members of the committee are known to Ofsted.  Newer members of the committee have not been effectively vetted. They have not supplied Ofsted with information required for their suitability to be checked. Nevertheless, their role in the management of the setting is minimal.  Professional development opportunities are not yet highly focused on enhancing staff's teaching skills further to help promote consistently excellent learning outcomes for all children in the future.  Although partnerships with parents and other providers, including the host school, are effective, there is scope to enhance the two-way flow of information to help promote the best possible continuity in children's care and education.

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It has the following strengths

 The manager fully understands all of her responsibilities. She effectively manages the running of the setting. Children's safety, welfare and learning are promoted.  Staff routinely assess children's development and use what they know to provide activities that meet children's learning needs. Children make good progress.  Staff are friendly and fun. They get to know children well. Children develop firm bonds with familiar staff. They are comfortable and enjoy attending.

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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 a clear understanding of all roles and responsibilities, including changes that must be notified to Ofsted 09/05/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that all members of the committee are effectively vetted and supply Ofsted with the information required to complete appropriate suitability checks. 09/05/2017

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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

 strengthen the professional development opportunities for staff and sharpen the focus on enhancing staff's teaching skills, in order to help promote consistently excellent learning outcomes for all children in the future  enhance the two-way flow of information with parents and other providers, including the host school, to help promote the best possible continuity in children's care and education.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outside. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager of the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to the manager, staff and members of the pre-school committee. She looked at relevant documentation, records and policies.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of committee members and staff working in the pre-school.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Recent changes in the committee have not been notified to Ofsted. Furthermore, the provider does not fully understand what information they must supply to Ofsted so that they can check the suitability of all those joining the committee. Nevertheless, this does not impact on the children because the provider delegates the running of the pre-school to the manager. Most staff are very well qualified. They are supervised and access training, such as safeguarding and first aid. This has a positive impact on care practices. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Managers and staff have a sound knowledge of safeguarding guidance. All those working directly with the children are suitably vetted. The environment is risk assessed and all potential hazards to children are minimised. Despite weaknesses in how the committee operates, the manager reflects on the quality of the setting and aims to achieve good standards. Partnership working with parents is

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

good overall and they express high regard for the work the pre-school does with their children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is good. Staff provide a range of activities that promotes children's interests. Children develop skills across the different aspects of their learning. They enjoy opportunities to use their imaginations. Staff take children on adventures into the forest area on site. They encourage children to develop and expand their pretend play. Staff provide children with opportunities to paint inside. They encourage them to think about what they are doing and give meaning to the marks they make. The manager has a good overview of children's progress. This helps ensure no child falls behind.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff welcome all children into the setting and value their diversity. Children are developing a positive sense of themselves. They behave well. Children adhere to the behaviour boundaries set and follow instructions. They play well together and take turns. Children learn about living healthy lifestyles. Staff talk to children about the importance of a good diet. Children take part in planting activities where they grow fruit. Staff promote physical activity. Children enjoy yoga exercise sessions. They climb, balance and jump with confidence using playground equipment outside.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children progress well. Children requiring additional support benefit from the help they need. Children are confident to play and explore. They are motivated to learn. Children participate in the routines of the pre-school. They enjoy helping their teachers. Children are independent. They manage their care needs. Children develop good communication, language and literacy skills. Children join in different group sessions. They are reminded of the expectation to listen well. They sing familiar songs and enjoy using props to tell familiar stories. Children acquire all the skills they need to move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 205299 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 1089912 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 20 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person St Joseph's Swans and Cygnets Pre-school Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 17 April 2015 Telephone number 01684 573016

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reference number

St Joseph's Swans and Cygnets Pre-School registered in 1992. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and three hold level 6 or above. This includes one with early years professional status and one with early years teacher status. The pre-school operates during term time only. Sessions are available Monday to Friday from 8.30am until 3.30pm. 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

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

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