Our Lady of Ransom Preschool

Inspection of Our Lady of Ransom Preschool Pope John Paul Hall, London Road, RAYLEIGH, Essex SS6 9DT

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

The provider failed to inform Ofsted of a significant event. However, this has not had a negative impact on children's welfare. Children are happy and settled at the pre-school. They become extremely engaged in a wide range of inviting activities that spark their curiosity and interests. Children work collaboratively together to design a bridge out of wooden blocks for dinosaurs to cross the 'water'. They are excited to make their own suggestions and offer ideas about how to improve their construction. Outdoors, children are fascinated to watch the water on the ground disappear in the sunshine. Staff skilfully introduce complex words, such as 'evaporate'.

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The provision requires improvement

Snack times provide opportunities for children to be independent. They serve themselves and safely cut their own fruit with a knife. Staff provide younger children with softer fruit, such as bananas, to help them practise their emerging skills. Children show kindness to each other. They are praised for trying to tie their friend's apron and offering to help them turn on the tap on the water butt.

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The provision requires improvement

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, staff identified that some children needed extra support to develop their communication and language skills. After discussions with teachers at the local school, staff reviewed their current speech and language approach and introduced a new initiative. Staff and parents have seen that children have made good progress, helping to close gaps in their development.

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need to do better?

n The provider did not notify Ofsted of an incident involving a child in their care. However, they have kept records and informed parents at the time, as required. n The manager leads a strong team of staff who work well together. She uses her mentoring experience to coach and oversee staff's practice to identify areas for improvement. Staff say that they feel supported and valued. n The balanced curriculum is planned to support children's development in all areas of their learning. Staff use their good knowledge of their key children to plan activities that help children make progress. For example, they successfully introduced dinosaurs on the play dough table and in the painting area to attract children who are more reluctant to engage in creative activities. n Staff understand the importance of sharing books, stories and rhymes with the children. They plan enjoyable activities that link to a weekly story. Children talk

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need to do better?

about growing a beanstalk like the character in their current book. They learn and use the words they have heard in the story. This builds on their vocabulary and understanding. n Children choose whether they want to play indoors or in the welcoming garden. The outdoor area provides plenty of scope for them to explore and be curious.

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need to do better?

21 June 2022 Children access the large equipment to practise their physical skills, climbing through and over tunnels and competently using the climbing frame. n Indoors and outdoors, staff join in children's play to enhance their experiences. For example, children eagerly 'sell' ice creams and help the adults decide what flavour they would like. Children perform on a stage and have access to a range of props, such as microphones and dressing-up items. An adult enthusiastically introduces the acts and encourages the performer to bow while the audience clap. This helps children to gain confidence. n Inclusion is threaded through the pre-school practice. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are exceptionally well supported. The special educational needs coordinator is highly experienced. She works closely with the team to identify any concerns at the earliest opportunity. Tailored

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need to do better?

interventions are put in place to help all children reach their full potential. n Parents have high praise for the pre-school. They appreciate how supportive the team is and are reassured by the care their children receive. Parents describe how children are confident and have developed a wide vocabulary as a result of being at the pre-school. Parents feel well informed. Sometimes, ongoing information is not shared with parents, following incidents at the pre-school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff team are clear about their responsibilities to keep children safe. They are confident about how to escalate their concerns if they are worried about a child or any adult working with children. Vetting and recruitment processes are in place to assess adults' suitability to work in the pre-school. Registers and accident records are kept accurately and are used to identify any patterns that may indicate a child is at risk. Staff are vigilant and provide appropriate levels of supervision, indoors and outdoors, at all times.

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Due date

improve knowledge of when to notify Ofsted of significant events. 08/07/2022

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should:

n share ongoing information with parents about any incidents to build on the existing good parent partnerships.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 203840 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10245333 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Our Lady of Ransom Pre School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01268 780050 Date of previous inspection 12 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Our Lady of Ransom Preschool registered in 1993 and is run by a committee. The pre-school employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and the manager holds a degree at level 6. The pre-school opens from 9am until 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, during school term times. 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 completed a learning walk with the inspector and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity outdoors. n The inspector observed interactions between the staff and children and assessed the quality of education being provided. n Parents shared their views on the pre-school with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

21 June 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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