The Academy of St Francis of Assisi

Little Scamps Pre- School and Nursery 1st Battalion The Rifles, Beachley Barracks, Beachley, Chepstow, Gwent NP16 7YG

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Inspection date 1 April 2019 Previous inspection date 22 May 2018

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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

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This provision is good

n The manager and committee have improved the quality of the pre-school and nursery well since the last inspection. For example, they have reviewed their record-keeping systems and implemented changes to ensure the daily register captures children's actual hours of arrival and departure. n Staff use effective observations and assessment systems to track children's progress. They identify gaps in children's learning and plan how to address them. Staff consider what interests children and use this to plan for future learning. For example, staff place objects to encourage younger children who are beginning to stand unaided, to reach for them independently. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents are complimentary about the care provided by the staff. Staff successfully involve parents in their children's learning. For example, they offer suggestions for activities to continue learning at home. Staff

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This provision is good

regularly invite parents to review their children's learning and development. n Children's physical well-being is supported well. For instance, children access the large well-resourced garden, and enjoy a good range of opportunities that challenge their physical skills successfully. n Babies are secure and happily explore the environment. For example, they independently access books and other age-appropriate resources. Staff ensure children are emotionally well prepared for school. This is evident when they take children to the local school and invite school staff to the pre-school. n On occasion, staff do not organise group activities as effectively as they could to ensure all children engage in their learning. n Staff do not consistently use all opportunities to challenge and engage children effectively in their learning, to help them think and explore their own ideas.

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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 review the organisation of group times to enable all children to engage in their learning n make better use of all opportunities that arise to challenge children's learning to help them reach their full potential, in particular, to help children think and have their own ideas.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of staff's interactions and teaching with children as they played inside and outside. n The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff and children at convenient times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to parents and considered their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and discussed the findings with her. n The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's assessment records, policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The manager and staff have good knowledge of how to protect children and the procedures to follow if they have a concern. Safeguarding is effective. The manager and committee follow consistent systems for the recruitment, supervision and monitoring of staff. The manager has recently undertaken additional training to update her knowledge and understanding of safer recruitment. The manager monitors staff performance and supports staff professional development. For example, staff have recently attended training to increase their knowledge of how to support the development of children's individual characteristics. Staff talk confidently about the impact this training has on their practice and children's outcomes.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use information gathered from parents before their children start, to plan activities and opportunities that encourage children's learning and development. Staff tune into children's play and follow their interests in the outdoor area. For example, staff follow children's conversations as they empty a container of water. Staff encourage older children to follow the trail of the water as it moves across the ground and note the changes in the consistency of the soil. Older children enthusiastically participate in physical activities. For example, they keenly copy actions demonstrated by staff in time to music.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children develop good communication and language skills. Older children confidently engage in conversations with familiar and unfamiliar adults. Staff teach all children to respect and celebrate differences and diversity. For instance, staff encourage all children to gain an understanding of the parts of the world that their parents have been posted to. Staff actively encourage opportunities for older children to see their younger siblings. For example, staff in the nursery area regularly enable children to play together in the outside area. Older children confidently take care of their own self-care needs, for example, when using the toilet facilities.

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Outcomes for children are good

Older children are confident to talk and share their experiences. Younger children communicate their needs effectively. For example, they reach out to staff for support while attempting to walk. Children develop positive attitudes to learning that help prepare them for school. This is demonstrated when they persist and concentrate as they attempt to use scissors. Children are confident to do things for themselves. For instance, they take off their shoes and hang up their coats when coming in from the garden. All children make good progress from their starting points.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 101857 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10084967 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Little Scamps Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 May 2018 Telephone number 01291 645 381

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reference number

Little Scamps Pre-School and Nursery registered in 2000. It is situated at the army barracks in Beachley, near Chepstow. The provision is open during term time only. Sessions are from 9am to midday on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 9am to 3pm on Wednesdays. There are six members of staff, all of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3. The provision is in receipt of funding to provide free 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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reference number

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

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