Our Ladys Pre-School

Our Ladys Pre-School St. Josephs Catholic Primary School, Springhead Road, Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 9QZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 September 2017 18 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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 Staff are well qualified. They continue to benefit from regular training to strengthen their skills and improve children's learning. All children enjoy their time at pre-school and make good progress from their starting points.  Staff very effectively help children to respect and value their similarities and differences. For example, children say 'good morning' to each other in various languages.  Parents are kept regularly informed regarding their child's care and development. They are confident in the skills of staff to provide good learning opportunities and feel that their children are safe and secure.  Children are exceptionally happy and greeted warmly by the very nurturing staff. They settle extremely quickly and build significantly strong attachments with all staff.  Children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. Staff provide plenty of opportunities to support children who are leaving to join Reception classes. For

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This provision is good

instance, they have established excellent links with the local school. They take children to visit their teacher and classroom several times to prepare them, exceptionally well emotionally, for the move.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children are not consistently able to access a range of materials to enable them to develop and extend their early writing skills further.  Staff have not fully developed ways of regularly seeking information from all parents about their child's learning and progress at home.

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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

 review and increase the opportunities that children have to explore making marks and their early writing skills  extend the range of ways that parents consistently share information regarding their child's learning at home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children and staff indoors and outdoors.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke to staff about their understanding of child protection, safeguarding and child development.  The inspector sampled documentation, including policies and procedures, children's development records, and confirmation of staff and the committee's suitability.  The inspector spoke with parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager conducts the required vetting checks on all staff to ensure their suitability to work with children. The manager supports staff well through regular supervision and performance management meetings. These help raise the quality of practice even further. Staff have good knowledge of how to protect children from harm and what procedures they must follow. Safeguarding is effective. The manager has established good systems to track children's progress and close gaps in their learning. The manager and her team successfully review their practice to identify areas for improvement. They make appropriate changes that benefit the children. For example, they have changed the layout of the home corner to create a more open space.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff consistently help children to continue to develop their mathematical knowledge. For instance, children correctly count how many children are sat on the carpet and find the corresponding number to stick on the wall. Staff regularly build on children's early reading skills. For instance, children learn to find their own name label on their peg. Staff effectively support children to develop good listening skills. Children follow instructions well and understand what is expected of them. For example, children know to clear their plate and cup after their snack. Children benefit from opportunities to learn about the natural world. For example, they plant potatoes and water them to help them grow. Staff encourage children to work out problems for themselves. For example, they ask children how they could make a bigger 'garage' for their 'fire engine'.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children excitedly join in the 'greetings' activity first thing and display excellent levels of independence as they play and find the resources they want. Staff are extremely committed to helping children adopt healthy lifestyles. They use thoroughly planned and highly interesting activities to teach them about suitable food choices. For example, children are particularly keen to correctly select healthy options from images of different foods. Staff listen intently to children and observe carefully to understand and meet their current interests. Children have a highly keen and positive attitude to learning as they explore the broad range of activities that staff provide.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children show interest and persevere in all activities. They are imaginative and enthusiastic as they play. For example, they make a 'gate' in their 'wall' to allow the bicycles through. Children talk confidently with each other about what they have done during the summer holidays. They develop good skills to prepare them for their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127424 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1089350 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 30 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Our Lady's Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 18 June 2015 Telephone number 01474 365 877

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reference number

Our Lady's Pre-School registered in 2000. The pre-school operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 3.30pm, during term time only. The provider receives funding for the provision of early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs seven members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications between level 2 and level 6.

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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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