St James's Pre-School

Inspection of St James's Pre-School St James's Church Hall, St. James's Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4HF

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

The pre-school provides a safe, welcoming environment where children are happy to explore and learn. Staff build good relationships with children and their families, and children have a secure sense of belonging. During circle time, children listen to stories, learn letter sounds and join in with songs and rhymes. They delight in playing alongside staff, who encourage them to be imaginative. Children freely express themselves as they explore the wide range of dressing-up clothing available. Children enjoy the free-flow environment where they can make independent choices in their learning both indoors and outdoors. They choose from the wide variety of planned activities. For example, children enjoy mark making and exploring play dough. They have access to books in all rooms. Children enjoy trips to the local library, and a well-established lending library supports them to develop a love of reading at home. Overall, children show high levels on interest.

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The provision is good

They explore, investigate and are keen to find things out. They benefit from an abundance of opportunities to play outdoors, including regular visits to the pre- school's 'water field' garden. Children learn about the natural environment and benefit from physical activity.

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need to do better?

n The manager provides staff with professional development opportunities and carries out regular staff supervision meetings. The recent introduction of Makaton signing is helping to support children's communication, particularly those who speak English as an additional language. However, there is not a strong focus on supporting staff to improve the quality of teaching and learning effectively across all rooms in the nursery. n Children relish playing outdoors, where they have many opportunities to be physically active. Young children demonstrate high levels of coordination as they skilfully climb, swing and negotiate space safely. Children enjoy exploring the mud kitchen and splashing in puddles. n Staff organise small-group activities that promote children's learning experiences. Children engage well as they explore fruit and vegetables. They learn how to use knives safely. Children comment on the smell of the celery

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need to do better?

sticks as they cut into them and are keen to taste new fruits. n Leaders and managers have a clear understanding of what children need to learn. They have high expectations for every child, including those in receipt of funding, and have developed a curriculum based on children's interests. However, observations can be descriptive, but do not always identify what children need to learn next. n The team ensures that good systems are in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The special educational needs coordinator has made good links with outside professionals to offer a

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need to do better?

13 February 2020 collaborative service and to put appropriate interventions in place to support children's individual needs. This has helped them to make stronger progress. n Staff teach children the importance of sharing and taking turns. They promote the nursery rules and most children behave well in the setting. However, at times, staff do not consistently use effective strategies with children to deal with any unwanted behaviour. As a result, some children become disengaged and run around. n Children bring healthy packed lunches that are complemented by nutritious options provided by staff at snack time. Staff engage in discussions about foods that are good for them. The pre-school is taking part in a healthy eating award and works with parents to help them understand how to tackle fussy eating. n Partnerships with parents are positive. Staff keep parents well informed about their child's care and learning. They have regular parent meetings to ensure that

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need to do better?

parents are informed continually of the progress their children are making. Parents speak highly of the care their children receive and comment favourably on the friendly and approachable staff team.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of how to protect children from harm. They know how to identify and report any concerns about children to keep them safe. Staff have a good understanding of wider safeguarding issues. The pre-school does not allow mobile phones in the nursery. Daily risk assessments are carried out to minimise potential hazards. Recruitment procedures are strong. Thorough checks and ongoing supervision help to ensure that all staff are suitable for their roles.

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should:

n strengthen staff's teaching by giving them more incisive feedback, to develop the quality of their teaching to an even higher level n continue to develop the use of evaluative observations to identify children's next steps in learning accurately n ensure staff manage behaviour consistently to help children understand boundaries, and help them make positive choices in their play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY313952 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 10137803 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 5 Total number of places 68 Number of children on roll 84 Name of registered person St James's Pre-school Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 650 1144 Date of previous inspection 10 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

St James's Pre-School registered in 2005 and is located in Beckenham, in the London Borough of Bromley. Morning sessions run from 9am until 12.20pm, Monday to Friday. Afternoon sessions run from 12.05pm to 3pm. The pre-school operates during term time only. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 manager and the inspector completed a learning walk and discussed how they deliver their curriculum. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Discussions were had with the provider and the manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working at the nursery. n The manager and the inspector completed a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views.

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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

13 February 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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