St James' Pre-School (Petts Wood)

Inspection of St James' Pre-School (Pettswood) St James the Great RC Church Hall, Lakeswood Road, Pettswood BR5 1AY

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children arrive enthusiastically and greet staff warmly. They explore the wide variety of activities and quickly become engrossed, demonstrating increasing levels of concentration. Children form confident relationships with staff. Children who are new to the setting are closely supported and encouraged by the nurturing staff team. Children show that they feel safe at pre-school. They know where to find their peg to hang their coat and find their name as they arrive. Children get the encouragement they need to build on their individual interests and make good developmental progress, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff are excellent role models; they are gentle, kind and respectful in their interactions, although sometimes their questioning misses opportunities to extend children's thinking. Children thoroughly enjoy playing outside, where staff provide numerous opportunities to explore and investigate. For example, children

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The provision is good

use their imagination well as they use wooden blocks to construct buildings. Staff encourage mathematical language asking, 'How many more do we need?' and, 'How can we make it taller and shorter?' They use magnifying glasses to search for bugs. Children practise early writing skills as they make marks in paint using vehicles. They behave well. Children enthusiastically enjoy group activities, although not all remain fully engaged in the activity.

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need to do better?

n The manager has high expectations for all children. Comprehensive self- evaluation, informed by staff and parents' views and children's progress, helps to identify areas for development. This leads to continuous improvement. Arrangements to support and mentor new staff are effective. Staff benefit from a well-established programme of training and development. They are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their roles. n Children demonstrate good levels of confidence and independence, even though many are very new to the setting. The staff provide a safe and welcoming environment that supports children's emotional security very well. For example, staff use a visual timetable well to help prepare children for changes of routine. n Staff support children's developing communication and language skills. For example, staff enthusiastically joined children in the garden looking at the bugs they had found; children eagerly talked with staff about the snail's hard shell.

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need to do better?

However, some opportunities are missed by staff to use questions to extend children's learning and communication skills further. n The quality of teaching is generally strong. However, on occasions, some large- group activities are not well organised, with staff not recognising when children lose interest and become distracted. n Staff are committed and enthusiastic. They engage well with children, using their interests to plan and adapt activities to suit their individual abilities.

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need to do better?

3 October 2019 Children enjoy a broad range of activities that help them to make good progress and take the next steps in their learning. For example, children practise balancing and coordination when using stepping stones and balance beams. n The stimulating and inviting environment indoors and outside enables children to involve themselves fully in activities that promote their learning and development well. The resources are of good quality and staff regularly review activities that children enjoy and adapt the environment accordingly. n Partnerships with parents are a strong aspect of the setting. Staff work very well with parents to ensure they know and understand how their children are developing, providing good opportunities for learning to continue at home. The staff team builds on learning from home. For example, staff support children to enjoy a healthy lifestyle through healthy snack time and regular visits from the

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need to do better?

dentist. n Staff place a strong focus on children's interest in books and reading. Staff encourage children to repeat familiar phrases and copy actions during stories, which they enjoy. n The key-person system is effective and staff know their key children really well. The close liaison between key staff and parents provides a consistent approach to children's care, learning and behaviour.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager ensures that staff understand how to recognise and respond to a broad range of signs and symptoms of concern about children. Staff clearly explain how to take action to protect children. They attend training and have regular discussions with their managers and each other to share any concerns they may have about children in their care. They know how and when to report any concerns to relevant agencies. This promotes children's safety and well-being. The manager has a rigorous recruitment procedure and a thorough induction programme to ensure staff are suitable for the job and have the necessary skills to work effectively in the setting.

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should:

n strengthen the use of questioning to encourage children to think and communicate their responses n ensure that all children are consistently engaged in activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY476213 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 10061976 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person St James' Preschool (Pettswood) CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 07815464837 Date of previous inspection 4 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

St James' Pre-School (Pettswood) registered in 2014 and is located in Pettswood, Bromley. The pre-school opens four days a week during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 12.15pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, and from 9am until 15.45 pm on Thursday. The management committee employs seven members of staff. Of these, one holds a level 4 qualification, three hold level 3 and two hold level 2. The manager has a degree in early years education and holds early years professional status.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector had a tour of the premises during a 'learning walk' and observed the impact of teaching on children's enjoyment and development. n The inspector spoke with parents to gain an understanding of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the manager. n The inspector spoke to children and viewed their activities.

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Inspection activities

3 October 2019 We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

3 October 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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