Smarties Pre School and Out of School Club

Smarties Pre School and Out of School Club The Community Building, Steeple Morden CofE Primary School, 7 Hay Street, Steeple Morden,Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 0PD

p.1

Inspection date 12 September 2018 Previous inspection date 28 September 2017

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires improvement Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

p.1

The provision is good

n Since the last inspection the management committee, manger and staff have successfully addressed the issues raised at the last inspection. Positive changes have been made to the environment, teaching has improved and policies and procedures have been reviewed. This means children receive good-quality care and learning experiences. n Staff know the children well and plan interesting learning experiences. Reviews of children's progress successfully support staff to move children on in their learning. Through a combination of informal conversations and access to the children's online assessment records, parents are well informed about their child's progress and attainments. n Children are treated with respect and benefit from the staff's gentle and caring approach towards them. This particularly supports younger children's emotional development who are new to the group. n A welcoming and friendly atmosphere greets all children and their families. Parents

p.1

The provision is good

comment positively about the effectiveness of the key-person system, the friendly staff and the progress their children make.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

n On occasions, staff overlook opportunities to ask more confident children questions that help to extend and challenge their knowledge and skills. n Although supervision procedures regularly take place these are not yet sharply focused on raising the quality of teaching to the highest level.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

n help staff to consistently extend and challenge more confident children's developing knowledge and skills n improve ongoing performance of staff so that they are fully supported to enhance their teachings skills to the highest level.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and nominated individual of the pre-school committee. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the pre- school self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector considered the views of parents in discussion during the inspection.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The management team and staff have a secure understanding of how to keep children safe and promote their well-being. They confidentially identify the signs of abuse and know the procedures to follow in the event of a concern. Appropriate risk assessment procedures and effective staff deployment contribute to children's safety being maintained. Recruitment and induction procedures ensure the management committee and staff are suitable for their designated roles and understand their responsibilities. The manager is consistently monitoring the effectiveness of the pre-school, and is continuing to embed supervision procedures. Clear processes are in place to monitor children's progress. This helps staff address any gaps in children's learning in a timely manner.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children build close relationships with the staff and welcome staff interactions as they play. Staff successfully promote children's language and literacy skills. They use props and animated voices to retell familiar stories, which captivates the children's interest. They encourage children to count objects and effectively incorporate mathematical concepts, such as big, medium and small as the children play. Older children successfully match the correct sized cutlery to appropriately sized bowls. They smile and clap demonstrating pride in their achievements. Children use tools, such as paintbrushes and scissors with growing confidence. They are supported by staff to use their imaginations as they play. Children pretend dough is mashed potato and create forests by pressing twigs and acorns into dough.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The collaborative approach between staff and parents contributes to children's feelings of well-being and belonging to the group. Staff value information from home which helps to continue to meet children's specific needs. Staff are good role models for children. They provide a calm and consistent approach when managing children's behaviour. This supports children to understand what is expected of them. As a result, children are learning to listen and follow instructions. Children enjoy daily fresh air. They develop their physical skills as they eagerly use tools to fill the wheelbarrow with mud. Friendships are formed as other children offer to help by filling the watering can with water. Staff provide nutritious snacks for the children and support them to learn where food come from. For example, children learn that cows produce milk and enthusiastically proceed to 'moo' like a cow.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their individual starting points and capabilities. Staff prepare children with the skills they need to eventually move on to school. Children are developing their personal independence well. They decide what resources and activities they would like to play with and complete simple tasks for themselves. Older children communicate with growing confidence and eagerly share their views and news. They anticipate words and phases in favourite stories.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY434661 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10061134 Type of provision Full day care

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 19

p.5

Name of registered person

Smarties Pre-School and Out of School Club Committee

p.5

reference number

Date of previous inspection 28 September 2017 Telephone number 01763852888

p.5

reference number

Smarties Pre School and Out of School Club registered in 2011. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, five members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday term time only. Sessions are between 9am until 3pm. The after-school club operates from 7.45am until 8.50am and from 3.15pm to 6pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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.

p.5

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

reference number

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: www.ofsted.gov.uk/user .

p.6

reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6