St Michael's Pre-School

Inspection of St Michael's Pre-School The Parish Centre, Upper Street, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 8QF

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children show high levels of engagement and develop positive attitudes towards their learning. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children form warm and affectionate bonds with the staff. Children arrive happily, keen to share their news. They behave well and show concern for one another. For example, a child sits quietly, deeply engaged in exploring a book. Another child asks, 'are you ok?' Children use good manners without prompts. They enjoy taking responsibility, such as being the daily helper. They learn to manage their own personal care, helping to promote their self-esteem and develop their independence.

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The provision is good

Children thrive outdoors, where they spend a high proportion of their day. They are supported by the conscientious staff, who plan an array of exciting activities linked to children's current interests, learning styles and learning needs. Children learn about colour blending. They operate spray bottles that contain paint, helping to strengthen their small muscles in readiness for developing further skills, such as scissor and pencil control. Children discuss how they can make purple. They use their thinking skills to predict as they experiment. A child proudly exclaims, 'I've made green with blue and yellow'.

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need to do better?

n The manager has devised a well-sequenced curriculum that covers all areas of learning. She closely monitors children's progress and ensures that any gaps in children's learning are promptly identified, and puts plans in place to address these. She ensures additional government funding is used effectively to benefit the children it is intended for. n The manager ensures staff receive ongoing training that is relevant to the needs of the children who attend. She carries out regular peer observations of staff teaching, and provides feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement. n The manager reflects on the service she provides to help her identify the strengths and areas for development. She seeks the views of staff, parents and children in her self-evaluation. She has made significant changes to the garden area to provide an exciting and stimulating learning environment for children who prefer to learn outdoors.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak highly of the staff and comment on the good progress their children have made during their time in the pre-school, particularly with their speech. However, staff do not provide precise information about children's next steps, to enable parents to continue the learning at home. n Staff have high expectations for children's learning. They use their good

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need to do better?

29 June 2022 teaching to promote children's speech and language skills. They model language and help children to build sentences. Staff listen carefully and show genuine interest in what children say. Children develop their mathematical skills as they learn about shapes and their characteristics. n Staff make regular observations and assessments of children's learning. They are aware of what children need to learn next. Staff provide a good mix of adult- led and child-led activities. However, staff do not consistently adapt their teaching to challenge older children during adult-led activities, to support them to progress beyond their current capabilities. This also results in some children not being fully engaged at times. n Support for children with SEND is a strength of the pre-school. The manager works closely with parents and outside professionals to ensure these children receive the support they need. Staff sensitively adapt activities to ensure

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need to do better?

inclusion. n Staff support children to develop their physical skills. Children use their bodies in different ways with growing skill and confidence. For example, when outdoors, they run around as they chase bubbles and manoeuvre wheeled toys around obstacles. n Staff teach children about healthy lifestyles in a fun way. Children identify food that is healthy in their packed lunches and are delighted when this is recorded on the 'healthy eating chart'. Children know why 'plaque' is not good for their teeth. They learn how vegetables grow and the life cycle of changes from planting the seeds. n Staff manage behaviour well. They teach children how to share and play cooperatively with others. This helps children to develop good social skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of safeguarding. They can recognise the different types of abuse and the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. This includes the risks to children of extremist views. The manager has robust recruitment procedures in place to help deem whether staff are suitable to work with children. Daily checks of the premises and resources help staff to identify and remove any potential hazards to children. Children are supervised closely at all times.

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should:

n provide parents with more precise information about their children's next stage of learning, to enable them to further extend this learning at home n enhance staff teaching skills further, to support them to consistently provide

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should:

29 June 2022 challenges for older children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 224970 Local authority Wolverhampton Inspection number 10234386 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person St Michaels Pre-School

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reference number

Telephone number 07791 940 235 Date of previous inspection 21 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

St Michael's Pre-School registered in 1996. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 to level 6. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for two weeks in the summer, one week at Easter, and two weeks at Christmas. It operates from 8am until 5.30pm. 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 led the inspector on a learning walk and told her what she wanted the children to learn at the pre-school. The manager and the inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the manager, room leader and staff throughout the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation, including qualifications and first-aid certificates, and viewed evidence of the suitability of those working with children. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day. She also spoke to children about their experiences 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

29 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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