St Michael's Pre-School Nursery

St Michael's Pre-School Nursery Recreation Centre, Recreation Field, The Green, Dalston, CARLISLE, CA5 7QB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 February 2018 5 November 2014

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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 manager provides inspirational leadership and has the highest expectations for children. She is highly dedicated and demonstrates an incredible passion in creating a totally stimulating and inspiring pre-school nursery where children's learning is given the highest priority. Staff share the same vision and maintain the highest-quality teaching and learning opportunities for children.  The highly qualified and experienced staff team has an expert understanding of how children learn. They have a first-rate knowledge of children's interests and provide them with a wealth of innovative activities and play opportunities. Staff truly inspire children's motivation for learning and help them make exceptional progress in their development.  Partnerships working is fully embedded and is working exceptionally well in practice. Parents are encouraged to share detailed information about what their children can do

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This provision is outstanding

already and what they need to learn next. Staff work diligently with parents, other professionals and other settings children attend to provide continuity of care and to fully support children's development at home.  The manager and staff are superb role models who set high standards for children's behaviour at all times. Children demonstrate very strong attachments with staff. Their needs and interests are clearly identified and met extremely well.

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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

 continue to review and develop the already excellent opportunities for children outdoors that provides them with a wealth of experiences in their play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during indoor and outdoor activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with children, staff, parents and the manager during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at documentation, such as children's development records, processes of assessment, policies and procedures, training records and the suitability of all staff members.  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 outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff demonstrate an excellent knowledge of safeguarding practice and the procedures to follow should they have any concerns regarding a child's welfare. The manager places immense value on the importance of training and the professional development of her team. Staff are supported through staff meetings, mentoring, observation of teaching practice and supervision meetings. Training has a significant impact on children and there is a continual drive to improve the pre-school nursery. For example, recent training in forest schools has increased staff's knowledge of providing more physical activities in a more natural outdoor environment. Future plans for development take account of the views of parents, children and staff and include how to promote the excellent outdoor activities further.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children enjoy themselves and have lots of fun while learning. Staff's teaching strategies are highly effective in promoting children's thinking skills and encourage a very positive attitude to learning. Staff complete high-quality observations of children as they play. They use this information exceptionally well to plan activities that significantly enhance children's learning and follow their interests. For example, children thoroughly enjoy the 'photo booth'. Children dress up in hats and glasses and stand inside the booth while others take their photograph using the setting's camera. Staff provide high levels of challenge and encourage children to recognise numbers up to 20 and find the corresponding bricks to match the written numeral. Children engage well at story time and enjoy singing action songs. Their language and communication skills are successfully supported and they enjoy one to one sessions and exciting group discussions.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The pre-school nursery has a strong family feel. Staff are excellent at supporting children's emotional well-being. Young children settle with ease in the relaxed and comfortable environment and older children are very well supported as they prepare for their forthcoming move on to school. Teachers are invited into the pre-school nursery to discuss children's needs and staff create information packs so children can talk through any worries they may have. Children are extremely polite and display good manners. They are learning how to share and negotiate in their play. Children listen carefully to staff before embarking on a visit to the local shop and they enthusiastically talk about their adventure back at the setting. Staff promote children's good health exceptionally well. They confidently manage children's dietary needs and follow bespoke training and guidance for children who require specialist help.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are highly motivated, curious and become deeply engaged in all activities. Their independence is exceptionally well promoted. Children expertly serve themselves at mealtimes and they are given responsibility to clear away and wash up afterwards. All children make excellent progress from their initial starting points.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY361016 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 1104660 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Dalston Pre School Nursery Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 November 2014 Telephone number 07564335641

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reference number

St Michael's Pre-School Nursery registered in 2007 and is managed by a voluntary committee. The setting employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The manager holds an early years qualification at level 4. The setting opens from Monday, Wednesday and Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The setting 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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