St Stephens Pre-School

St Stephens Pre-School St Stephens Church Centre, Canterbury Road, Colchester CO2 7RY

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Inspection date 26 November 2018 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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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This provision is good

n The management team sets an excellent example to the staff and demonstrates a genuine commitment to offering the very best outcomes for children. The staff are clearly motivated and enjoy the time they spend with children. There is a positive attitude towards making improvements that considers the views of staff, children and parents. n Qualified staff know their individual key children well. Through observations, they identify the next steps in each child's learning and areas in which children need most support. n Children's safety and welfare are given high priority. Staff deploy themselves very effectively. They make regular headcounts and inform each other when they are taking children to the bathroom or moving them between different areas of the building. n Snack time is used as a very good opportunity for children to sit together and develop independence and social skills. Staff encourage children to help themselves to a good

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This provision is good

selection of healthy food choices, such as grapes, pear, sweetcorn, cucumber, pasta and salsa. This contributes to promoting healthy lifestyles. n Staff build close emotional relationships with children and positive partnerships with their parents from the very start. This includes making home visits for those who would like them. Parents are highly complimentary about the service that staff provide and they comment on the 'family feel' of the pre-school. n On occasions, staff do not identify opportunities to extend children's learning as fully as possible. n Although staff use a good variety of behaviour management strategies, occasionally they do not fully support children of different ages and abilities to consider the consequences of their behaviour.

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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 support staff in identifying all opportunities to extend learning during activities, to help children make even better progress n help staff to make the most of opportunities to encourage children to understand the consequences of their actions.

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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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with two members of the management team. n The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school management team. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre- school. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The management team and staff access regular training and are clear about their role in protecting children. The pre- school has all legal documentation in place, such as public liability insurance. The management team follows robust procedures to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. For example, all staff have the necessary Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Staff have a programme of frequent staff meetings, regular supervisions and yearly appraisals. This helps to ensure they feel valued and supported. Furthermore, the management team organises targeted training to help staff improve their overall knowledge and skills. The manager monitors the progress made by individual and groups of children. This helps to identify any gaps in their learning and provide effective support for children to catch up quickly.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Individual staff take responsibility for an area of learning, such as phonics or understanding of the world. They provide children with planned focus activities in that area each week. This helps to ensure children have access to an all-round learning experience. Staff have developed a calming sensory room to help those children who might like to relax and explore the low lighting and twinkling lights. Staff meet with other professionals and attend multi-agency meetings with parents and other agencies to ensure children's individual needs are met. This helps to improve outcomes for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff use picture cues alongside verbal instructions to help support the understanding of children who speak English as an additional language and those who find it difficult to understand what is going to happen next.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children's self-esteem is high and this can be attributed to the nurturing staff who value each child as the unique individual that they are. Children thrive and enjoy their time at this pre-school. Children thoroughly enjoy being physically active outdoors. They climb and slide on the equipment and experiment with hula hoops after watching staff demonstrate their skills. The indoor and outdoor environments are well resourced. The outdoor play space is highly conducive to helping children develop an understanding about the natural world.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children, including those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points, given their individual unique needs and capabilities. Children take part in science experiments, using vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to create a fizzing mixture. Younger and older children play alongside one another, exploring the different textures of foam and shredded paper. Children demonstrate good hand-to-eye coordination when they take aim with water sprayers to water the plants. Children become motivated learners and develop key skills in readiness for their eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY539936 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10080150 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 69 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person St Stephens Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07534911918

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reference number

St Stephens Pre-School re-registered in 2016. The pre-school employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Pre-school sessions are from 8.45am until 2.45pm, and a breakfast club is offered from 8am to 8.45am. 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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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.

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

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