Christchurch Preschool

Inspection of Christchurch Preschool Ireton Road, Colchester, Essex CO3 3AT

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is not assured. The management committee, as the registered provider, is not fully aware of its roles and responsibilities and has failed to oversee the ongoing suitability of staff.

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The provision is inadequate

Children enjoy their time at pre-school. They arrive enthusiastically, waving goodbye to their parents at the gate as they happily skip in to join their peers. Children are supported to settle quickly as they are greeted by friendly staff who smile warmly and engage children in conversation. Children are confident to speak to others and are kind and polite. They use a wide range of vocabulary as they talk with staff about 'foggy Friday' and 'windy Wednesday'. Children enjoy songs and join in with a variety of rhymes and action songs with staff.

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The provision is inadequate

Children engage well in the opportunities the pre-school offers. They develop their creativity as they investigate and explore a range of materials, such as pieces of fabric, wrapping paper, plastic bottles and sparkly pom-poms. Children discover different textures as they use glue to join the items together. They take pride in their creations and share that they have made a 'toy box, a thunderstorm and a rocket'. Children select books independently and handle them with care. They are keen to look at a wide range of books in the cosy and inviting areas. Some children use puppets to act out the story of 'The Three Little Pigs'.

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need to do better?

n The provider does not have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities and does not monitor the provision effectively. For example, they do not have systems in place to ensure the ongoing suitability of staff. n Staff state that they enjoy their work, and this helps them to provide a welcoming and happy environment for the children. However, the provider does not oversee staff's practice. The manager and staff do not receive regular supervision meetings to ensure that they are supported effectively in their roles. The provider does not have effective systems in place to help staff continue their professional development. n The manager and staff have a secure understanding of what they want children to learn and the order in which they need to teach it. Staff plan a curriculum which is based around children's interests, preferences and next steps. Through observations and assessments, staff monitor children's progress effectively, build

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need to do better?

on what the children already know and address any gaps in their knowledge. n Staff place a strong focus on helping children to develop their communication and language skills. They ask children interesting questions and add new words, such as 'clambered', for children to consider. Staff use different tones of voice when reading to children. They give them time to listen to, and respond to, what

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need to do better?

8 October 2021 is happening in the story. This helps children to develop a love of books. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents comment positively about their children's time at the pre-school and the support they and their children receive. They are complimentary about the staff team and comment on children's behaviour and good manners. Staff kept in touch with parents and children during the COVID-19 pandemic national lockdowns. They provided packs for the children to complete at home with their parents, to help support their learning. n Children benefit from freshly prepared, healthy and nutritious snacks. They thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to be physically active in the pre-school garden, for instance running around and balancing on the plastic toadstools. Children learn about regular handwashing and how to reduce the spread of germs. Staff talk to children about the importance of washing their hands before

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need to do better?

snacks and meals. n Staff recognise the importance of fostering children's independence. Children are encouraged to do tasks for themselves. For example, when children ask for help to put on or remove their jumper, staff suggest they 'have a try'. Staff are close by to provide appropriate support when needed. n Children learn about behavioural expectations in the pre-school. When some children struggle to regulate their emotions, staff talk to them in a calm manner. Children are gently reminded to share and take turns with their peers. Staff praise children with a 'well done' when they show positive behaviour. Children celebrate their own achievements. For example, when a three-year-old child successfully opened the wooden clothes horse and stood it up, he enthusiastically stated, 'I did it'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Weaknesses in the management of the pre-school mean that children's safety is compromised. The provider does not ensure the ongoing suitability of staff, despite having suitable recruitment and induction procedures in place for new staff. Staff demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of safeguarding procedures. They have attended training and can recognise the signs and symptoms of different types of abuse. Staff know how to report any child protection concerns about children and adults. They know where relevant local contact details are kept if they need to report a concern.

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Due date

8 October 2021 ensure that members of the management committee have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities 29/11/2021

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Due date

ensure that effective systems are in place to confirm staff's ongoing suitability to work with children. 29/11/2021

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should:

n monitor staff's performance more closely to provide targeted support to continue to strengthen and improve on their good practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY559452 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10190356 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 33 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Christchurch Preschool CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01206 541959 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Christchurch Preschool registered in 2018. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including two members of staff who hold qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday for 38 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 9.15am to 12.15pm and from 1pm to 4pm on Monday and Wednesday, with a lunchtime provision, and from 9.15am to 12.15pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The pre-school provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the deputy manager and they evaluated this together. n Parents shared their views on the pre-school with the inspector in discussion and the inspector took these into account. n The inspector and the provider held a meeting together. The inspector looked at a sample of documents, including evidence of staff's suitability, qualifications and training. n Children and staff spoke to the inspector at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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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

8 October 2021 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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