St Albans Pre School

St Albans Pre School St. Albans Community Centre, St. Albans Road, SMETHWICK, West Midlands, B67 7NL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 October 2017 28 April 2014

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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

 Strong leadership and effective self-evaluation have enabled the setting to maintain its good-quality service since the last inspection. The manager has a clear vision for the future and works with staff and parents to identify areas of the provision to further improve. For example, she has plans to enhance procedures when children first start.  The manager and staff monitor and track children's progress closely, identifying and targeting any gaps in development quickly. For instance, recent monitoring identified the need to enhance support for children's early literacy development.  Children benefit from a wide range of exciting activities that supports their physical development well. Children eagerly explore climbing equipment, negotiate obstacles and move larger equipment, such as tyres.  An effective key-person system helps children to develop close bonds with friendly staff. They are happy, secure and ready to learn. Children new to the setting settle quickly.

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This provision is good

 Children make good progress from their starting points and are motivated to play and explore. They are well prepared for their future learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, staff follow routines too strictly and do not identify when to adapt these to support children's interests fully.  Staff provide a limited range of activities to support children's learning outdoors.

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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

 recognise when to adapt routines and activities to support children's interests and individual requirements more fully, to help them make the best possible progress  develop further the planning for the use of the outdoor provision and provide a wider range of learning experiences, to help children who learn best outdoors make even better progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed teaching practices and the impact these have on children's learning.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff, children and parents.  The inspector read some of the setting's documentation, including the safeguarding policy and procedures.  The inspector sampled children's development information and records.  The inspector carried out joint observations with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe and the process to follow should they need to report any child protection concerns. The manager and staff ensure children play in a safe and secure environment. They update risk assessments regularly. Staff are aware of potential risks to children as they play and explore, and take steps to minimise these. The manager follows safe recruitment procedures, such as checking references and carrying out suitability checks. A thorough induction programme is in place for new staff and volunteers. Children are supervised by well-qualified staff at all times. Staff and volunteers have regular meetings with the manager, to identify aspects of their practice to develop further, and access relevant training courses. For example, recent training has helped staff to use observations of children's learning more effectively. Partnerships with parents and other providers are

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

strong and provide continuity in children's learning and development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are skilled in helping children's communication and language development. For example, they help children expand their vocabulary, use descriptive language and encourage children to use their home languages as they play. Children listen attentively, follow instructions and join in with action songs and rhymes. Staff support children's mathematical understanding successfully. Children learn to count, create patterns and use mathematical language, such as with money. They learn about seasonal changes and explore the natural materials readily available during autumn.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff give children lots of encouragement and value their ideas. They provide children with good opportunities to make choices and involve them in decisions. For example, children voted to decide on the names for the new pre-school pets. Staff support children's social skills effectively. For instance, they plan activities that help children develop friendships and learn more about each other. Children's good health is promoted well. They learn about good hygiene practices and healthy food and drink choices.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children use their imaginations as they play and make links with their experiences. For instance, they pretend to cook pizza and serve this to their friends in the role-play area. They focus well on tasks that interest them and persevere as they solve problems, such as when learning to thread shapes. Children enjoy practising their literacy skills, including mark making and sharing books. They learn to respect their similarities and differences and celebrate a range of festivals and cultural events. Children become independent and learn to manage their own needs, such as dressing in their outdoor clothes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY398937 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 1102213 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person St Albans Community Association

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 28 April 2014 Telephone number 0121 5580018

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reference number

St Albans Pre School registered in 1991. It opens Monday to Friday from 9am to midday and 12.30pm to 3.30pm, during term time only. The setting employs six staff. Of these, one holds early years professional status and four are qualified to level 3. The setting receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years.

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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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