St Joseph's Little Scholars

Inspection of St Joseph's Little Scholars St. Josephs Little Scholars, 42 Newbold Road, CHESTERFIELD, Derbyshire S41 7PL

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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

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language, are happy when they arrive at the pre-school. Children show that they feel safe and secure and are eager to play with the activities on offer. They confidently join staff to share their learning experiences. One example of this is when children use numbers in their play and compare the size of objects. Children pretend to be a shop keeper and staff ask them if they can buy a carrot. Children reply, 'That is sixty pounds'. Staff put the carrot at the side of children's feet and ask them which is the biggest, their feet or the carrot. Children use large shapes to construct and build. They solve problems and show good imaginative skills when they think about how the pieces fit together to make a 'rocket'.

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The provision is good

Children are independent and complete everyday tasks for themselves. For example, they show good personal hygiene routines when they wash their hands before they eat and when they dispose of tissues after they wipe their nose. Children behave well and learn to share and take turns with their friends. They use a sand timer to let them know when it is their turn to play with a toy that another child is playing with.

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need to do better?

n Children with SEND are supported by staff who know the children well. Staff liaise with parents and other professionals to share information about children's abilities. Additional funding is used to provide one-to-one support from staff to meet children's individual needs. For example, to develop their confidence to move into the playroom with other children when they arrive. n The manager supports staff and ensures their well-being. Staff attend supervision meetings to reflect on their practice and to identify further professional development opportunities. Recent training supports staff to understand how to offer children opportunities to develop all aspects of learning outdoors. For example, to encourage children to look at books, develop their imaginative skills and use chalk to make marks. This is particularly beneficial for those children who prefer to learn outdoors. n Staff use their good knowledge of children to provide opportunities to enhance

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need to do better?

the experiences children receive at home. For instance, to help children to learn about similarities and differences, such as to hear music from around the world. n Occasionally, staff do not extend children's learning through play. One example of this is when staff talk to children about hot air balloons. They ask children to tell them about what they know about hot air balloons but do not help children to have a deeper knowledge of them. n Staff help children to learn how they can keep themselves safe and healthy. For

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need to do better?

18 October 2021 example, when children go down a slide, they remind them to hold onto the side with both hands. Staff talk to children about the importance of cleaning their teeth. n The manager and staff plan a curriculum that gives children the skills they need for future learning. For instance, they support children's personal, social and emotional development. The manager and staff help children to feel emotionally secure. Staff provide familiar activities for new children that they know interests them, such as experiences to explore dough. n Overall, staff support children who speak English as an additional language well. For instance, they find out and use key words in children's home language when they talk to them. However, during some story telling sessions, staff do not help children to gain a better understanding of English words to enable them to follow the story. n Partnerships with parents are good. Recently, parents have been welcomed back

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need to do better?

into the nursery when they collect their children at the end of the day. Parents comment that they appreciate the conversations they have with staff during these times. Staff share with parents what children have been learning throughout their day at the pre-school. This helps to keep them informed about their children's development. n Staff encourage children to use good manners, such as when they ask for food at snack time. When children play with their friends, staff talk to children about how they can manage conflicts for themselves.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of how to safeguard the children in their care. They demonstrate a good knowledge of the different types of abuse and the symptoms that might alert them to a child's safety being compromised. The manager and staff know where to report concerns about children's safety and welfare. The manager carries out effective recruitment procedures to ensure that new staff who work with children are suitable. Staff complete risk assessments and ensure that the environment is safe and secure for children to play in, indoors and outdoors.

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should:

n develop staff's knowledge of how to build further on children's development during play n strengthen staff's understanding of how to help children who speak English as an additional language to understand English.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY339320 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 10073729 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 90 Name of registered person St Joseph's Convent School

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reference number

Telephone number 01246 232392 Date of previous inspection 10 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

St Joseph's Little Scholars registered in 2006 and is in Chesterfield. The pre-school employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one at level 5. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 7.30am to 5.30pm. The pre-school provides before- and after-school care. 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 her evaluation of the pre-school. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed how she intends to implement the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She reviewed relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their

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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

18 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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