The St Mary's Pre-School

Inspection of The St Mary's Pre-School The Parish Room, Betchetts Green Road, South Holmwood, Dorking, Surrey RH5 4JX

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are at the heart of everything that this pre-school does. The managers and staff have the highest aspirations for all children. Each child is recognised as a unique individual. Children are very happy. They play with their friends with great confidence. Children new to the pre-school settle very swiftly. This is because staff gain a deep understanding of their needs and build inspiring relationships with their families. This results in a highly impressive, shared learning approach between home and nursery, enabling children to flourish and thrive.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are intensely engaged and focused for extremely long periods of time during activities. For example, during forest school, children find some mole hills. Staff seamlessly use these opportunities, enriching children's understanding of the natural world. For example, staff help children think of different animals that they may find on their walk. Opportunities in the awe inspiring forest forest school allow children to wade trough the stream in their wellingtons. Children work together and collect water in different sized pots. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make exceptional progress from the starting points in their learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They demonstrate respect and kindness for one another and for the natural world. Children listen and respond to instructions very well and show a good understanding of how to stay safe in the environment.

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need to do better?

n Managers are exceptional. They have high expectations for all staff, this is reflected in everyday practice. Managers have designed an ambitious curriculum. Staff meticulously plan learning experiences for individual children, considering how to build on children's prior knowledge in each area of learning. Children make excellent progress in their learning and development. n Staff are well qualified and experienced. Their high-quality interactions and inspiring conversations help to develop children's vocabulary and confidence in speaking very well. The staff frequently sing songs and use a wide range of rich vocabulary. For example, children learn new Christmas songs. They enthusiastically take turns to see 'what is in the box' and choose what song they would like to sing. Staff are highly reflective and use many effective strategies to develop children's communication and literacy skills. The use of repetition,

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need to do better?

rhythm, rhyme and actions make activities more memorable, exciting and engaging for the children. This ensures their new knowledge is secure. n Support for children with SEND is outstanding. The managers and staff work extensively with professionals to ensure the best outcomes for each child. As such, children with SEND get the help and support they need through timely

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need to do better?

3 December 2021 intervention. Furthermore, careful consideration is given to how any additional funding is spent and to where it has the greatest impact to improve outcomes for children. For instance, funding is used to get additional staff to work specifically on a one-to-one basis with children. Parents of children with SEND highlight the exceptional support and guidance received from staff. n Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, managers have done everything they can to support children and families. Staff recorded stories and cooking sessions to ensure any children who were at home could still join in experiences. Doorstep visits enabled managers to check with families to see if there was any further support they needed. Staff have introduced additional support for parents, such as a food bank parcels. n Children lead exceptionally healthy lives at nursery. They play energetically, rest and relax, and manage their personal care exceedingly well. Staff follow

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need to do better?

meticulous pre-school procedures to keep children safe and healthy. n Partnerships with parents are exceptional. Parents are provided with in-depth information about their child and are supported to be fully involved in their child's learning. Parents comment on the 'absolutely brilliant' and 'amazing' staff. n The managers monitor and support staff extremely well. Staff receive consistent coaching and guidance through robust and comprehensive regular supervision. Staff access relevant professional development opportunities, which has enabled children to benefit from high-quality learning experiences and exemplary teaching. For instance, staff have recently completed courses on forest school learning. The managers evaluate the nursery extremely well as a team, taking into account the views of parents and children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are well trained and extremely knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities with regard to safeguarding. Safeguarding training is part of the induction procedure and they receive regular updates during staff meetings. Staff know and understand the signs of possible abuse or neglect, including wider safeguarding issues such as recognising and challenging extreme views. They have a clear understanding of how to report concerns about a child's safety. Robust recruitment procedures ensure that all those working with children are suitable. There are effective systems in place to ensure the ongoing suitability of staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY558484 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10194336 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 38 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person The St Mary's Pre-School.

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reference number

Telephone number 01306740135 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The St Mary's Pre-School registered in 2018. It is situated in the grounds of St Mary's Church in South Holmwood, near Dorking, Surrey. The pre-school employs 15 staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 3.45pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The provider took the inspector on a learning walk around the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The providers carried out an evaluation of teaching with the inspector following a planned activity. n The inspector checked the evidence of the staff training and suitability. n The inspector spoke to staff, parents and children at appropriate points in the inspection and considered 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

3 December 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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