St Marks Pre-school

St Marks Pre-school St. Marks Church & Community Centre, Calder Rise, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK41 7UY

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Inspection date 4 October 2018 Previous inspection date 20 October 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 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

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The provision is good

n The pre-school provides extensive support for families. The staff are acutely aware of when families need support and offer a broad range of additional services. All families are warmly welcomed into the pre-school. n Staff make accurate observations and assessments of children's progress. They identify what children need to learn next to help promote their development well. n When children do not make expected progress, staff are quick to seek additional support. Any gaps in achievement close quickly and all children, including children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress in their learning. n Staff maximise the benefits of the outdoor space for children as many do not have access to a garden at home. They learn about lifecycles and enjoy watching butterflies develop from caterpillars. n Children behave well. They have clear instructions and directions that help them to

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The provision is good

learn about how to play together socially. Children play games to become familiar with each other's names.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n The provider swiftly identifies staff's under performance through effective supervision. However, performance management is not sufficiently incisive to rapidly improve the good quality of teaching for children even further. n Staff do not always use naturally occurring opportunities during the pre-school routine to promote children's ability to be involved in making decisions.

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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

n implement even more decisive performance management of staff to more rapidly tackle under performance and increase the good quality of teaching even further n encourage children to be more involved in decision making during their play.

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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 manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is given high priority at the pre-school. Staff supervise children well at all times during the day. There is a stringent recruitment and induction programme for all new staff. This helps to keep children safe in the pre-school. The provider ensures that all staff and trustees who support the work of the staff, have an in-depth understanding about safeguarding. They are aware of the signs and symptoms that might suggest a child is at risk of harm. Staff are aware of how to report any child protection concerns to the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff team are well qualified. They undertake further study. For example, they complete research projects into healthy lunches for children. Staff are motived to continue their professional development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff focus on developing children's literacy skills. There is a successful book-sharing programme. This enables parents to enjoy reading with their children at home and boosts children's interest in books. Older children have a range of opportunities to develop their mathematical knowledge. During registration, older children walk around the circle counting children. They add one more and work out how many children are present. Children play with dough and the staff encourage them to think about size, extending their mathematical knowledge and using descriptive words, such as 'massive'.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Snack and lunchtimes are sociable occasions. The children sit together and eagerly talk about the things that they are interested in, such as animals. The introduction of a pre- school garden project stimulates children's learning, as they grow food to eat. Children have regular fresh air and exercise. The staff encourage them to be physically active to help strengthen their muscles. Staff also pay attention to children's emotional development and there are quieter areas outside for children to have time for reflection and thinking. Children have strong attachments to the staff who care for them. The key- person relationship is effective in helping children to settle and feel secure.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning from their initial starting points. Children for whom the setting receive additional funding are thriving, and any gaps in children's learning close quickly. Children develop good communication and language skills and develop into confident talkers. Older children talk with authority about things that interest them, such as sea birds and owls. Younger children learn quickly and copy adults. They use their imagination to pretend to be at work, holding telephones to their ear and talking while they type on their pretend computers. Children sustain their attention and develop skills they need in readiness for starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 219169 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10069076 Type of provision Full day care Registers Early Years Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person St Marks Church Council Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 20 October 2014 Telephone number 01234 312634

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reference number

St Marks Pre-school registered in 1974. The pre-school employs 12 members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including the manager who is qualified at degree level and a further member of staff who holds qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday and is open all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The pre-school 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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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.

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