Stone Cross Independent Pre-School

Stone Cross Independent Pre-School Stone Cross School, Adur Drive, Stone Cross, Pevensey, East Sussex, BN24 5EF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 April 2018 5 May 2017

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 The manager and staff team have worked hard to make changes and improvements to the provision that have had a positive impact on children's experiences. For instance, they have reflected on their practice and reorganised the indoor environment to help better encourage a calm and harmonious atmosphere with safe areas for quiet play.  Staff meet all children's individual care and learning needs well and provide effective support for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff work well with other agencies and professionals, and put effective support plans in place where required. All children make good progress.  There are positive relationships with parents. Staff keep them well informed about children's progress and effectively involve them in their child's learning. For instance, they provide suggestions for activities that parents can continue at home.  Staff make particularly good use of the outside play area to create a stimulating

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This provision is good

learning space with lots of interesting challenges for children. Children can choose to be inside or outside, and become engrossed in their play.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not gather as much information as possible from parents about what new children already know and can do, to help them monitor children's progress closely.  Staff do not consistently provide opportunities for children to develop their creative ideas and freely explore art and design materials in their own way.

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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

 seek more detailed information from parents about what children can already do when they begin to attend, to help establish children's starting points more clearly and help monitor children's progress more precisely from the outset  extend opportunities further for children to freely develop their creative ideas and use their imagination during arts and crafts activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outside, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke to the manager, deputy manager, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector sampled relevant documentation, such as evidence of staff suitability and children's records.  The inspector spoke to some parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. There are robust procedures in place to make sure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff understand how to recognise and report any child protection concerns. The manager monitors staff practice closely, for instance, she meets with them regularly. Staff make good use of training opportunities. For example, a course helped develop their skills in evaluating each other's practice, to help drive further improvements within the setting. The manager reviews the provision effectively and successfully identifies any development gaps. For instance, she found that children did not have enough opportunities to learn about and use everyday technology, so staff updated resources and equipment to better support children in this area.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff observe children closely. They effectively identify any areas where children may need more support and adapt activities and the environment as appropriate to make sure all children can take part. Staff join in with children's play and make learning enjoyable. For example, children enjoyed finding out how to work a 'tube telephone' with staff and using it for long conversations. Staff build on children's interests well. For instance, they taught children how to collect their own water from the outside tap to add to the mud kitchen. Staff have high expectations of children and set them interesting new challenges, such as attempting to fill a tray with pompoms before the sand timer runs out.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are warm and kind in their approach and help children behave well. For instance, they remind children of their expectations during circle time, such as waiting for their turn to talk. Children learn to value each other and learn about different people and communities. For instance, they share food that comes from around the world. Staff supervise children vigilantly. They teach children useful knowledge and skills to help keep them healthy and safe. For example, they encourage children to think about why it is safer to tidy toys away and what might happen if someone trips over. Children talk confidently about food that is good for them and remember that too much sugar is unhealthy.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their development. They are confident and grow in independence. Children enjoy taking responsibility for simple tasks, such as laying the table and cutting fruit for snack time. They get along well together and learn to take turns and share. Children communicate confidently and eagerly start conversations. They develop strong physical skills, for instance, they practise picking up pompoms with tweezers and balance along beams and over crates. Children recognise their written name and start to learn letters and the sounds they represent. They count confidently and solve simple problems. Children quickly gain the skills they need for the next stage in their learning and starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 109525 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 1099388 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 3 - 4 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Stone Cross Independent Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 May 2017 Telephone number 01323 740 149

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reference number

Stone Cross Independent Pre-School registered in 1999. It operates from within Stone Cross Primary School in Stone Cross, East Sussex. The pre-school is open during term time only from 8am to 3pm each weekday, except Wednesday when it is open until 4pm. The pre-school employs five staff, all of whom hold relevant qualifications at level 3. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged 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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