St Andrew's Pre-School

Inspection of St Andrew's Pre-School Fairfield Community Hall, Western Road, Burgess Hill, Sussex RH15 8QN

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely happy, content and settled. They are very highly motivated and eager to join in with the stimulating and exciting activities and use the resources, enabling them to become particularly strong learners. For example, they take enormous delight in learning about the wildlife within their local environment. They learn about different birds and use books to further stimulate their knowledge.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children are tremendously caring and supportive of each other. They learn to identify when their friends are feeling sad and want to help make them happy. Children make outstanding use of the self-regulation area, exploring their own feelings in an exceptional, inviting area. Staff are exceedingly skilled at helping children understand and manage their feelings. Children's self-esteem is constantly boosted as they receive praise for their achievements, behaviour and manners.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

The outstanding quality of teaching ensures that staff include every child in all activities, regardless of their stage of development. Every child's uniqueness is valued as a result of the staff's expert knowledge and understanding of all children's abilities and development. The pre-school uses additional funding astutely to address gaps in learning and help children to catch up quickly. Children are superbly prepared to develop skills for future learning and school.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff carry out extremely in-depth and ongoing assessments when children join the pre-school. These identify any early concerns about a child's development. Early interventions are immediately implemented to help children quickly catch up. n Staff show a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to build on their skills and knowledge. As a result, children's learning opportunities and outcomes are further enhanced by highly qualified and committed staff. They consistently follow the children's lead, actively encouraging them to think, investigate and experiment. Staff teach early literacy and mathematical concepts. For example, children work with staff and their peers to count freely and compare size and shape. In the writing area, children practise making marks when writing their own names. n Children's personal, social and emotional development is extremely well supported by staff. Staff recognise that some children have had no contact with

p.2

need to do better?

others during the COVID-19 pandemic and may take longer to settle. Children show high levels of independence. For example, they set the table for snack, select their own resources, and get themselves dressed for outdoor play. Children eagerly explore a wide range of books. They are keen to share

p.2

need to do better?

11 February 2022 favourite books with adults. They turn pages together, talk about the story, and use their imagination to further extend their literacy. n Children expertly follow and communicate instructions to each other and staff, enabling them to readily complete and enjoy tasks. They enjoy vast opportunities to be confident, self-motivated and physically active. For example, they learn to ride bikes, propel scooters, spin hoops and play ball games. Staff skilfully question children to encourage them to think and work out ideas for themselves. n Children with disadvantaged backgrounds and with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive exceptional support. Staff work tirelessly with external professionals to ensure children have the best outcomes. As a result, all children make outstanding progress and are ready for their next stage in learning. n Partnerships with parents are exemplary. Parents comment that they feel

p.2

need to do better?

exceptionally welcome and have a comprehensive understanding of their child's learning and development. For example, parents received comprehensive home- learning packs and were invited to daily online meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. n Staff truly value the manager always being available to help and being genuinely concerned about their well-being. They have access to a wide range of excellent training, which has a positive impact on children's learning. n The manager is truly inspirational. She continually reflects on, evaluates and reviews everything that she and the staff do. The manager inspires and motivates children, their parents and the staff team to achieve the best they can. She sets exceptionally high standards for herself. The highly reflective self- evaluation and ambitious targets drive improvement and raise the quality of care and education for the children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff have an outstanding understanding of child protection issues and procedures to help protect children from harm. They demonstrate an excellent awareness of their duty to protect children from extreme views and behaviours. All staff are clear about their duties in regard to the 'Prevent' duty. The setting has excellent relationships with external professionals, which further enhances staff's understanding of their responsibility to protect children. The leadership team and manager implement stringent recruitment procedures. This ensures that all staff working with children are suitable. All staff have completed safeguarding, 'Prevent' duty and first-aid training.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2523735 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10194612 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 53 Name of registered person St Andrew's (Burgess Hill) Pre-School

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07703346208 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

St Andrew's Pre-School registered in 2019. It is located in Fairfield Community Hall, Burgess Hill, West Sussex. The pre-school employs nine members of staff, and all have an early years qualification at level 3. The manager has an appropriate early years degree. The pre-school opens Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 3.30pm, Tuesday from 9.30am to 3.30pm, and Friday from 9am to 2.30pm, during term time only. The pre-school receives government funding for free early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the chairperson and manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk of the setting and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector spoke to several parents in person and by telephone, and took into account their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector about their intentions for the children's learning. The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children spoke to the inspector about their activities and what they were doing during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and manager about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

11 February 2022 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6