St Andrew's Pre-School

Inspection of St Andrew's Pre-School Huddersfield Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX3 0AA

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Staff take the time to get to know children when they first start at the setting. They work closely with parents and gather information about their child's daily routines, likes, dislikes and what they need for comfort. They use this information to plan familiar care routines and toys according to their interests. Children settle in quickly and form strong bonds with their key person. Staff are sensitive, calming and nurturing, which helps children to feel safe and secure in their care. Children's behaviour is good. Staff help them to understand different emotions. For example, they look at pictures in books and talk about the facial expression of characters and how they might be feeling. Children are friendly and kind towards others.

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The provision requires improvement

The nominated individual has failed to notify Ofsted of all changes to the committee members, so that the necessary suitability checks can be carried out. That said, the risks to children are minimised because committee members do not have any unsupervised access to children. Furthermore, the manager and nominated individual have taken swift action to address this and started the process to notify Ofsted of changes to the committee. The manager and nominated individual recognise that committee members need further training to help them better understand their roles and responsibilities.

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need to do better?

n Staff closely monitor children's progress. They observe children during play and assess their learning to help identify any gaps in their development. Staff carefully consider children's interests and what they need to learn next. They provide a warm, welcoming and stimulating learning environment for all children. Overall, children are motivated and eager learners. However, on occasions, staff do not always respond promptly to younger children who are less focused and engaged during free play. n Children develop good physical and writing skills. They thoroughly enjoy participating in mark-making activities. For example, they use paints to draw arctic animals from pictures in books. Younger children begin to give meaning to the different marks that they make using chalks. Older children confidently recognise their own names. They identify numbers, group items and learn that the total number changes if they take one away. Children develop the skills that

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need to do better?

they need to succeed in their future learning. n Children listen intently to staff as they read books. Staff use effective questioning skills and encourage children to recall key events and consider what might happen next. Children use their imaginations and puppets to make up their own stories. They develop good communication, language and literacy skills. n Children are beginning to understand the world beyond their own experiences.

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need to do better?

24 January 2020 They learn about arctic animals and their habitats. They experiment, predict and investigate using different materials. For example, children consider the impact different temperatures have on blocks of ice and observe as they melt in the heat. n Staff encourage children to be independent in meeting their own personal hygiene needs. Children know to wash their hands and help to prepare tables at meal and snack times. They benefit from daily exercise and enjoy the time that they spend playing outdoors in the fresh air with their friends. n Partnerships with parents and external professionals are effective. The manager continually shares information with parents and seeks their feedback to help identify any areas to improve. She makes strong links with other professionals to ensure that children receive the individual support that they need. n The manager closely monitors staff performance. She completes regular

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need to do better?

supervision meetings with staff to identify any training needs. Staff say that they feel well supported and enjoy the coaching and training that they receive. However, the manager and nominated individual have not provided committee members with comprehensive training to help them understand all of their responsibilities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The nominated individual failed to keep Ofsted up to date with all changes to the committee members, so that they can complete the necessary suitability checks. Nevertheless, the manager has implemented robust vetting arrangements and completed the necessary suitability checks for all staff working with children. The manager and staff complete regular safeguarding training to help keep their knowledge up to date and current. They understand how to recognise the signs of abuse and know what to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Staff complete rigorous daily checks to help ensure that the areas of the premises children access are safe and suitable.

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Due date

provide Ofsted with information about any changes to committee members, so that all of the necessary suitability checks can be completed 07/02/2020

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Due date

24 January 2020 ensure all committee members have the necessary training to help them fully understand all of their roles and responsibilities. 06/03/2020

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should:

n support younger children more closely during less structured times of the day to help keep them engaged and focused in purposeful play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 303819 Local authority Calderdale Inspection number 10071544 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 2 to 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person St Andrews Preschool Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01422 360950 Date of previous inspection 23 October 2015

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Information about this early years setting

St Andrew's Pre-School registered in 1999. It is open Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school employs three members of staff, all of whom hold suitable level 3 childcare qualifications. The pre-school offers funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager and discussed how the curriculum and setting are organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint evaluation of an activity was completed with the manager. n The inspector held discussions and took account of the views of parents, staff, children and committee members. n The inspector held meetings with the manager and nominated individual at convenient times during the inspection. She reviewed a sample of documentation, including policies, procedures and other records regarding health and safety.

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Inspection activities

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

24 January 2020 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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