Phoenix Centre Specialist Pre School

Inspection of Phoenix Centre Specialist Pre School Barnett Lane, STOURBRIDGE, West Midlands DY8 5PY

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 Outstanding

p.1

The provision is outstanding

All of the children who attend this setting have varying degrees of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children are wholly involved in a rich and varied range of activities, that are specifically geared to meet their individual needs. Children demonstrate that they are happy, secure, and exceptionally well cared for. They build close relationships with staff, who are attentive and perceptive at recognising what level of individual support children need to enable them to thrive.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

All children receive consistently high levels of attention. Children who have more complex needs receive one-to-one support to provide them with the specialist care that they need and to enable them to take part in activities. The majority of activities are specifically introduced to enhance and stimulate children's senses. Children thoroughly enjoy feeling a range of different textures. Staff help children to place their hands in foam, custard, jelly and baked beans. They recognise from children's body language, smiles and squeals of delight their level of enjoyment, and adapt the activity to provide each child with the optimum experience. Children receive constant praise to raise their self-esteem and encourage them to persevere.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is dealt with in a calm and thoughtful manner. Staff recognise children's trigger points and are vigilant to outside influences, such as lack of sleep, that may have an impact on the child's day. Children thoroughly enjoy the time that they spend outdoors. Staff have created sensory areas under willow tunnels, where children can experience fresh air as they watch shiny objects spin in the wind and listen to windchimes.

p.2

need to do better?

n The pre-school benefits from a strong and highly skilled manager. The manager and her staff team are dedicated, passionate and totally committed to working and supporting children with SEND. They are highly trained and experienced to ensure that every child receives the very best care and learning. n The curriculum is meticulously planned for each child and is specific to their personal circumstances, abilities and individual level of need. Staff closely monitor children's level of engagement in activities. They adjust activities, so that children's next steps of learning are tangible and provide children with a sense of achievement. Children's achievements, no matter how small, are revered and celebrated with great gusto by all staff. Children respond with smiles and laughter to demonstrate their happiness. n Staff are proactive in ensuring that all children have a voice. The majority of children who attend are non-verbal. Staff are highly skilled at recognising even

p.2

need to do better?

16 March 2022 the slightest eye or hand movement that can indicate a child's personal choice. For example, they wait patiently to see which object a child looks at to indicate the song they would like to sing. n Staff introduce a range of ways to support children's communication. They successfully use sign language, touch, pictures and props, alongside simple verbal communication. All children are provided with access to a push button communication switch which, when activated, allows children to say hello to staff and their friends. Staff patiently wait for children to think about pressing the switch and indicate their readiness before offering help. n Staff are exceptionally competent and highly trained to meet children's individual medical conditions. They administer any care and support children need in a sensitive and courteous manner, while ensuring children's personal dignity is maintained at all times.

p.2

need to do better?

n All staff know key children and their families extremely well. They recognise the importance of working closely with families to gather any information that may have an impact on a child's day. Parents are exuberant in their praise for staff and the care and learning that their children receive. n Staff work closely with other agencies and professionals involved with the children. This ensures that all children receive the very best level of support that they need, to enable their specific needs to be fully met and to help them make the progress they are capable of. n Children thoroughly enjoy taking part in a 'senseology' session to heighten their senses. They lie on the floor and feel the beat of the music through their bodies. They gaze with awe and wonder as the lights are dimmed and staff exuberantly use torches, coloured fans, scarves, and other flashing objects to ignite children's interest and promote sensory experiences. Children demonstrate their

p.3

need to do better?

engagement through eye movements, smiles and squeals of laughter. n The level of support children receive when they move on to school is superb. If children go to mainstream school, staff go with them for the first few days, so that they are able to adjust to their new surroundings with support from a familiar adult. Teachers from specialist schools visit the setting on a regular basis and staff set up review meetings with all professionals involved with the child, to ensure that everyone is fully aware of the child's individual needs.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

All staff have an excellent knowledge of the signs of abuse. They recognise the increased importance of being even more vigilant when working with children who are non-verbal. All staff attend and regularly update their safeguarding training to ensure they are entirely familiar with the different types of abuse. Recruitment procedures are robust to ensure that everyone working with the children is safe and suitable. Children's safety is given the utmost priority. The premises are safe and secure and staff are alert in identifying and removing any potential hazards or risks to children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 253925 Local authority Dudley Inspection number 10231232 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 10 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Phoenix Centre Specialist Pre School

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01384 273189 Date of previous inspection 26 March 2015

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Phoenix Centre Specialist Pre School registered in 2007. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including two who hold level 6 and one who holds level 5. The pre-school operates Tuesday to Friday from 9am until 11.15am and 12.45pm until 3pm during school term times only. The pre-school provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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 setting and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the setting. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the manager. n The inspector looked at a selection of documentation and checked the suitability of staff working with the children. n The inspector spoke to children, staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together. They observed staff's teaching practice during activities.

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

16 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.

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