St Mary's Pre-school Playgroup

St Mary's Pre-school Playgroup Church Lane, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 9AR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 June 2017 17 April 2015

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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 Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The safeguarding lead does not have a good understanding of the procedure to follow if an allegation is made against a member of staff. In addition, the pre-school's safeguarding policy does not include the action to be taken in the event of an allegation or the use of mobile phones and cameras in the pre-school.  The management team does not have a thorough knowledge of the requirement to notify Ofsted of changes to the manager of the pre-school.  Observations and assessments of children's learning are not precise enough. This means that staff do not plan for children's next steps in learning.  The staff do not benefit from highly effective methods of staff supervision and performance management to raise children's achievements to the next level.  The effectiveness of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning is not yet monitored to help improve the quality of teaching and improve outcomes for children.

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This provision is inadequate

 Staff do not consistently encourage parents to share ongoing information about their children's learning and development at home.  Self-evaluation is not effective. The provider does not have an accurate picture of what the setting needs to improve.

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It has the following strengths

 Overall, children behave well and have access to a suitable range of resources.

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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 staff designated to have the lead responsibility for safeguarding children understand and respond appropriately in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff 21/07/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that the pre-school safeguarding policy and procedures are in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, including an explanation of the action to be taken in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff and the use of mobile phones and cameras 21/07/2017

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Due Date

 improve knowledge and understanding of notifying Ofsted of significant changes within the required timescale 21/07/2017

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Due Date

 improve how well staff observe and assess children's learning, in order to consistently identify where children are in their development and to plan more precisely for the next steps in their individual learning so that they make good progress 21/07/2017

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Due Date

 improve systems for monitoring staff performance and supporting their ongoing professional development to help promote consistently good teaching and learning. 21/07/2017

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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

 encourage parents to contribute information about their children's learning at home and use this shared knowledge to plan more precisely to move children further forward in their learning  make effective use of self-evaluation so that any breaches in requirements or weaknesses in practice are quickly identified and swift action is taken to address them.

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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 and registered individual. 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 ineffective. The safeguarding lead does not have a secure understanding of reporting procedures should allegations be made against a member of staff. In addition, the safeguarding policy is not in line with current guidance set by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. The policy does not include an explanation of the action to be taken in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. In addition, it does not include the use of mobile phones and cameras at the pre-school. Nevertheless, staff have attended some safeguarding training and know the signs and symptoms of potential child protection concerns. The manager and the provider are unaware of the procedures to notify Ofsted of a change of manager. However, this does not have a negative impact on children's safety because appropriate checks have been completed to ensure she is suitable to carry out the role. Systems for monitoring staff performance and promoting

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

their ongoing professional development are not strong enough. This means there are inconsistencies in the quality of teaching and learning. The pre-school's self-evaluation is not up to date and does not identify priorities for improvement or tackle any weaknesses.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

Staff do not observe or assess children's progress well enough. Staff gather some information from parents about children when they first start. However, this does not include children's knowledge and skills to accurately assess what they already know and can do. This means that planning is not always based on children's individual needs and what they need to learn next. Nevertheless, children enjoy their time at pre-school. They spend time at freely chosen activities and make new friends. Children develop some understanding of the world. For example, they take part in planting and growing flowers which they eagerly water and harvest.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

The provider cannot assure children's well-being due to weaknesses in leadership and management. Children are not always successfully inspired or encouraged to make as much progress as they can. Nonetheless, children enjoy satisfactory relationships with the staff. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise during outdoor activities. Staff prepare nutritious snacks and discuss healthy eating with children. Staff teach children the importance of handwashing, and they play in a clean setting. This helps to support children's health and well-being.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

Not all children make good enough progress to ensure they are fully prepared for the next stages in their learning. However, children develop some mathematical skills, such as counting. They are encouraged to be independent and learn to recognise their own names. This helps build their confidence and self-esteem.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 400361 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 1090981 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person St Mary's Pre-school Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 17 April 2015 Telephone number 01423 860083 mo07964510638

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reference number

St Mary's Pre-school Playgroup registered in 1994 and is situated in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. There are four members of childcare staff working directly with the children, two of whom have an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above. The pre- school opens during term time 9am until 12noon and 12.45pm until 3.45pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On Thursday, the session is from 9am until 1pm. 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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