St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

St Francis Pre-School The Vicarage, Galahad Avenue, ROCHESTER, Kent ME2 2YS

p.1

Inspection date 3 May 2019 Previous inspection date 29 November 2018

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Inadequate 4 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

This provision is good

n The leadership of the pre-school is strong and the management team has a clear agenda to continually raise the quality of the provision. The staff work very effectively as a team and have made significant improvements since the last inspection. n Staff make good use of recent training and guidance to positively manage children's behaviour. Children respond well to the praise and caring interaction of staff. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents receive a very friendly welcome when they drop off and collect their children, and information is shared effectively. n Children enjoy spending time in the garden, and staff make good use of the recently developed outdoor space very successfully to promote children's enjoyment and learning. n Staff show a genuine interest in each child and, overall, offer a good level of challenge to help each child progress well in their learning. However, occasionally staff do not

p.1

This provision is good

recognise when to adapt or extend activities even further to build as fully as possible on children's interests. n The children receive nutritious snacks and those that stay for lunch bring in packed lunches from home. Lunchtime is a very sociable occasion, but staff do not always use fully effective methods to encourage children to make healthy choices in relation to food.

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 support staff to recognise when to intervene to adapt activities to build as fully as possible on children's interests to extend their learning n consider ways to more effectively support children to understand the importance of healthy eating.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector viewed all areas of the premises, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector observed the interaction of staff and children during a range of activities. n The inspector spoke with managers, staff and parents during the inspection. n The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector viewed a selection of relevant documentation.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

There has been a significant improvement in the quality of the provision since the last inspection. The provider, manager and staff team have worked hard to identify and implement new strategies and practices to improve safety and teaching. Staff have made good use of training and individual research to update their skills and knowledge. Safeguarding is effective. Staff understand their individual responsibilities to keep children safe and know the procedures to follow to report any child protection concerns. Appropriate arrangements are in place to communicate with teachers when children are preparing to move on to school.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children enjoy a broad range of activities and concentrate well on their chosen tasks. Staff very successfully focus on supporting children's communication, having identified this as an area for development through effective monitoring. Children chat happily as they play and confidently demonstrate their very lively imaginations. For example, they diligently search for 'treasures' hidden in soil by staff and devise a complex and enjoyable game, working together to bathe plastic frogs in mud. Staff identify clear learning intentions for the activities they provide and implement these well. For example, during a painting activity, a staff member skilfully helped children to predict and explore what happens when different colours are mixed. In addition, the provision offers a range of unusual brushes and tools to encourage the children to discover a range of textures and effects.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The intense focus on improving behaviour has been extremely effective. Staff act as good role models to children and create a calm, positive atmosphere. Children develop very good social skills and are extremely friendly and polite. They offer a warm welcome to visitors and listen well to the advice and guidance of staff. There are good hygiene arrangements in place and staff ensure that children understand the importance of washing their hands before eating. Effective risk assessments help to protect children, and gentle reminders encourage them to consider their own safety.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points. They are enthusiastic and motivated learners, which helps to prepare them well for their future move to school. Children understand the routines of the day. They are confident to explore their own ideas and also to seek support from staff when needed.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 103842 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10087196 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person St Francis Pre-School Committee

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 29 November 2018 Telephone number 01634 301188

p.4

reference number

St Francis Pre-School registered in 1996 and is based in Strood, Kent. The pre-school is open each weekday from 8.30am to 3pm, during term time only. There are six staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6.

p.4

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.4

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.4

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.5

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.5

reference number

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

p.5

reference number

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

p.5