St Thomas Centre Nursery School

St Thomas Centre Nursery School Bell Barn Road, BIRMINGHAM, B15 2AF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 October 2017 5 February 2015

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The inspirational leadership team drives excellent standards at the nursery. Leaders provide individual support and mentoring for the staff team which results in highly motivated and enthusiastic staff who are extremely knowledgeable about their role.  Leaders and managers are highly committed to ongoing improvement. They are extremely reflective and proactive in making the continuous improvements which raises outcomes for children even further.  Staff ensure children are safe, secure and confident by providing an inspiring environment in which they can learn and develop at their own pace. Each child is encouraged to lead their own play and they take part in a broad range of highly challenging activities which stretch their imagination.  Children settle very well in to the nursery environment and are extremely independent and confident. They form very strong bonds with their key worker, and other staff, who

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This provision is outstanding

know them well.  Staff use a well-developed system of planning, assessment and monitoring to ensure all children make or exceed the progress they are capable of. This enables them to identify and immediately address any gaps in learning and provide additional support where children need it.  Partnerships with parents are very strong. They play an active participant in their child’s life at nursery and receive comprehensive feedback which keeps them informed of every aspect of their child’s care and learning.

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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 viewed the parts of the premises used by children.  The inspector held meetings with leaders and managers.  The inspector looked at a range of information including evidence of the suitability of staff working with children, planning, children’s assessment records, and a sample of policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of children, staff and parents spoken to on the day of inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Leaders, managers and staff have an excellent understanding of child protection issues and the procedures that help to protect children from harm. Thorough recruitment, induction and vetting procedures ensure all staff are suitable for their role. Staff regularly access high level training on all aspects of childcare, including child protection. Leaders, managers and staff are highly driven in their pursuit of excellence for all children, regardless of their starting points. Staff make exemplary use of their in depth knowledge of children and their home lives. They provide an admirable programme of learning which meets all children’s individual needs and supports them to make rapid progress in all areas. Innovative ways of involving all parents in all aspects of the setting are being developed further.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff have very high expectations of all children. They work actively with parents to help support children to settle in to the nursery at their own pace. They use their deep knowledge of how individual children learn to plan an exciting range of experiences which engage children extremely well. Precise identification of next steps means that children’s learning is significantly enhanced. For example, staff patiently support young children as they make decisions about their play and rest. All activities are meticulously supported by proficient staff. For example, young children independently explore the natural environment as they wander down tunnels in the garden, laughing delightedly. Staff use skilled techniques to extend children’s acquisition of language, including those who speak English as an additional language.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children are confident learners. They form very secure attachments with their key person and other staff. They are encouraged to develop their independence and learn through risk taking. For example, children eagerly attempt unfamiliar play opportunities. Staff have an excellent understanding of each child’s emotional and intellectual abilities, and know when to intervene and give guidance. Each child’s achievements are celebrated which promotes their self-confidence and self-esteem. Consequently children develop very positive behaviours and attitudes to learning.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Babies and young children make substantial and sustained progress in relation to their starting points. They are highly active and use the whole of the environment independently. Toddlers and young children show impressive skills at a very young age, such as being able to remove their own socks and shoes and storing them safely. They have highly developed social skills and interact positively with their peers as they seek to involve them in their experiences. Strong relationships with adults known to them help them to independently tackle unfamiliar environments with confidence, showing emerging curiosity and interest. Babies and young children use sounds, words and gestures confidently as part of their emerging communication and language development. Toddlers and young children are very well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 228969 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 1113068 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 58 Number of children on roll 70 Name of registered person St Thomas Children's Centre Nursery School Governing Body

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 February 2015 Telephone number 0121 464 0003

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reference number

St Thomas Centre Nursery opened in 2000. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff. Of these, 15 hold appropriate qualifications from level 2 to 6, and two have Qualified Teacher Status. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, all year round from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early years 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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