St Vincents Preschool Playgroup

Inspection of St Vincents Preschool Playgroup Manor Park South, Knutsford WA16 8AL

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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

Children get a wonderful start to their education at this pre-school. They are happy and settled in the safe environment. Changes due to COVID-19 mean that parents no longer routinely enter the pre-school building. This does not hinder children's confidence when they arrive. They are keen and eager to immerse themselves in play. Children have lovely relationships with staff and with their friends. They have learned about the importance of sharing, turn taking and being kind. Children understand the rules and boundaries and what is expected of them. Their excellent behaviour contributes to the calm environment.

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The provision is good

Physical development is a real strength at the pre-school. Children have lots of opportunities to exercise their large muscles in the outdoor area. They develop good balance and coordination as they carefully navigate the balance beams independently. Staff understand that supporting children's large-muscle development in turn helps to strengthen their smaller muscles. This prepares children for the next stage in their learning, such as early writing.

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The provision is good

Children show good levels of independence. They make choices at snack time, pour their own drinks and wash their own hands. Children are quickly developing important skills they need for school.

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need to do better?

n The manager is skilled and knowledgeable. She has a good understanding of the different ways that children learn. The curriculum is broad and provides children with a range of interesting learning opportunities. However, on some occasions the curriculum intent is not specific enough. This means not all activities build on children's prior knowledge and focus sharply on what they need to learn next. n The manager and her staff get to know children and families very well. They offer an abundance of help and support, particularly for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The use of additional funding is well thought out and specific to children's individual needs. For instance, the manager has invested heavily in resources to support children's communication and language development. This helps to ensure that all children make good progress in their learning and that gaps in attainment are narrowed.

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need to do better?

n Older children become deeply engrossed when making various animals using dough. They skilfully use scissors with a great degree of precision, to cut out different shapes. Children are confident communicators. They proudly talk about their creations and explain the different features they have made. Children are developing good levels of engagement and a positive attitude to learning. n Key-person systems are well embedded. The long-standing staff team is caring and nurturing. Children have formed friendly, trusting bonds with staff. High-

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need to do better?

17 March 2022 quality, sensitive interactions help to support children's emotional well-being and ensure they feel respected and valued. n The pre-school is well integrated into the local community. Children develop their mathematical skills when purchasing food from the local shops. They learn how to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers at their nearby allotment. Children benefit from taking part in community events, such as flower shows. Staff teach children to be tolerant and accepting of people who may be different to themselves. Children are learning about the world in which they live and preparing for life in modern Britain. n Partnership working, particularly with the adjoining school, is strong. The manager and her staff work tirelessly to ensure that children's move to Reception is seamless. Children have regular visits to the school and are familiar with the staff and routines. Ongoing feedback between pre-school staff and

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need to do better?

school staff ensures continuity of care and learning for all children. n The manager places high priority on staff well-being. She has regular meetings to ensure staff are happy and feel supported in their role. New staff receive an in-depth induction and benefit from a 'buddy' system to help them to become familiar with the procedures. Staff have lots of opportunities to access training to extend their knowledge and skills. However, they do not always receive accurate feedback to improve their practice even further. Consequently, there are some minor weaknesses in the quality of education. For instance, not all staff recognise when they need to sequence children's learning differently or challenge most-able children even further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and her staff have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe. They can identify the signs and symptoms of abuse and know the procedures for referring concerns about a child's welfare. Staff are alert to the indicators that a child or family may be at risk of being drawn into extreme behaviours. The arrangements for safe recruitment are robust and help to ensure staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n sharpen the intent of the curriculum so that it focuses more specifically on what children need to learn next n provide staff with accurate feedback to help them to raise the quality of education to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 305334 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10129136 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 30 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person St Vincents Pre-School Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01565 651948 Date of previous inspection 4 November 2015

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Information about this early years setting

St Vincents Preschool Playgroup registered in 1996 and is run by a voluntary committee. The pre-school employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, during term time only. The out-of-school sessions are from 7.30am until 9am and 3pm until 6pm. The pre-school sessions are from 9am to 3pm. 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 provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager gave the inspector a tour of the pre-school and discussed how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The inspector observed the quality of education indoors and outdoors and evaluated the impact of this on children's learning. n Discussions were held with staff, parents and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A leadership and management meeting was held with the manager and two committee members. Documentation relating to the suitability of people working with children was checked. The inspector looked at qualification certificates and paediatric first-aid certificates.

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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

17 March 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.

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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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