St James Pre School

St James Pre School Community Centre, High Street, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7PY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 May 2017 26 March 2014

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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 notify Ofsted of changes to their committee. This means that checks have not been carried out to ensure that all members are suitable to be involved in the running of the pre-school.  Staff do not always do enough to encourage children to think deeply and solve problems for themselves.  Staff consistently observe and assess children’s progress and plan accurately plan for older children’s next steps in learning. However, this process is less robust for two-year- old children.

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It has the following strengths

 Managers and staff evaluate the provision regularly. They obtain good feedback and support from parents and carers to help them make continuous improvements to the pre-school. Children make good progress in their development and are very well prepared for moving on to school.  Partnerships with parents and carers are strong. Parents are very complimentary about the service provided. They comment on how much they value the information that is shared about their children’s progress.  Staff support children’s physical and emotional well-being effectively. Children are confident and explore the environment indoors and outside with enthusiasm. They have formed very close attachments to staff and their key persons.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure that Ofsted are provided with the necessary information to enable them to carry out suitability checks on committee members. 12/06/2017

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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 to think more deeply and learn to solve problems for themselves  make better use of assessments to plan more precisely for younger children's next steps in learning and achieve more consistent rates of progress for all age groups.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the premises inside and outdoors. She spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views.  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 throughout the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector discussed aspects of policy and procedure with the pre-school manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation, discussed self-evaluation and checked evidence of the qualifications and suitability of staff and committee members.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of new committee members associated with the pre-school. This means Ofsted have not been able to carry out required checks to ensure that the registered body is made up of individuals who are suitable to be involved in childcare. However, the committee members do not have unsupervised access to children and they are not involved in the recruitment of staff or the day-to day-running of the provision. Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff's knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe and well protected are sound. They know the correct procedures to follow should they have any concerns about the welfare of a child. There are effective systems in place for performance management. Supervision meetings provide staff with effective opportunities to discuss personal and professional issues. Managers and staff work well as a team and share new knowledge and good practice

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

regularly. They are keen to develop their skills in teaching and to raise outcomes for children even higher.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are well qualified. They use their skills effectively and provide a safe and stimulating environment where children learn through play. Children show their enjoyment as they learn about the life cycle of a butterfly. They demonstrate their knowledge of where a caterpillar develops and confidently say, 'Cocoon'. Older children have opportunities to develop their physical and mathematical skills, such as when they recreate the sequence of the life cycle using scissors and other craft materials. Managers monitor children's development effectively. They take effective action to address any gaps in learning. For example, they provide different resources, such as writing belts and clip boards, to encourage boys to take an interest in writing, extending their early literacy skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The pre-school has excellent links with schools in the area. Children develop in self- confidence and show their enjoyment, including when they attend sessions within the host school Reception class. Staff ensure that children receive healthy snacks and drinks, promoting healthy attitudes towards diet as well as good physical well-being. Children have numerous opportunities to experience fresh air and exercise. They have access to a stimulating outdoor environment and visit the local community.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their development. Managers make good use of any funding received for children. Children are independent, self-motivated and have good social skills. They are well behaved, polite and considerate. Children are well prepared physically, personally and socially for their next stage in learning, such as moving on to school. They develop a very good understanding of different lives and communities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 317601 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 1087797 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person St.James Playgroup Whitehaven Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 March 2014 Telephone number 07929952452

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reference number

St. James Pre School was registered in 1982. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The manager holds a level 6 qualification. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 11.45am and from 12.30pm until 3pm. Children have an option of staying for lunch. 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

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

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