St Albans Pre-School

Inspection of St Albans Pre-School St Albans Church Hall, Gander Green Lane, Sutton SM1 2HD

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children arrive at the pre-school happy and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They confidently find their names on the self-registration board and are keen to explore the activities. They have positive relationships with others. Children play cooperatively alongside their friends and are well supported by the caring staff team.

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The provision is good

Staff engage children in a varied range of activities to support their learning. This helps them to make good progress from their starting points. Children's interests and ideas inform the curriculum planning. They also learn new things and mathematical concepts through topic work. For example, they learn about growth when planting sunflowers and talk about which one is the tallest. Children spontaneously use mathematical language in their play as they count and compare shape and size.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and are supported to manage their feelings. Staff encourage kind and respectful behaviour. Children understand routines, such as helping with tidying up the toys. During circle time, they are supported to listen to others when sharing views and opinions.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have reflected and taken positive steps to address previous actions. They have effective systems to evaluate the pre-school to improve outcomes for children. All children now make good progress in their learning. n There are secure arrangements to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff understand the importance of working closely with parents to offer a consistent approach. Staff seek support and guidance from other agencies to ensure that children's needs are supported in the pre- school. n Children develop a love for books and stories. They enjoy both group story sessions and individual stories in the outdoor reading area. They snuggle up to staff to share favourite books and anticipate what is going to happen next. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents are very happy with the care received by their children and say they have seen their children make secure

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need to do better?

progress in their learning. Parents find the staff team friendly, supportive and committed. They receive regular feedback about their child's development through daily discussions and planned meetings. Parents enjoy listening to their children sing songs that they have learned at pre-school. n Children have free-flow access into the outdoor play area. They explore the water play where they transfer water between containers with skill. They use

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need to do better?

12 September 2022 balls and wheeled toys, demonstrating good coordination. However, there is a lack of challenging opportunities to develop the most able children's physical skills in a variety of ways. n Overall, staff support children's communication and language skills well. For example, they reinforce key words and use pictorial prompts to support understanding of routines. Staff introduce new language such as 'stethoscope' during the doctors role-play activity. However, occasionally, staff miss opportunities to help children to expand on their ideas or use more complex sentences. n Staff encourage children to learn skills for the future and complete tasks on their own. They pour their own drinks at snack time and cut up their own fruit. Children learn about nutrition, and parents are provided with useful guidance about healthy eating lunch box swaps.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are confident and knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms that a child may be at risk. They know the actions to take to ensure that children are safeguarded. Since the last inspection, all staff have updated their safeguarding training. They are clear about their role and responsibility in protecting children from harm. Leaders and managers ensure that safeguarding matters are regularly discussed as a team so knowledge can be shared. Staff are vigilant about children's safety within the setting. Accidents are monitored and reviewed to inform the risk assessment arrangements. Children also learn to keep themselves safe and to be considerate of the safety of others. For example, when using wheeled toys, they know to follow the roadway arrows to avoid crashing into others.

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should:

n develop consistency in staff's teaching of communication and language, to provide more opportunities for children to build their language and thinking skills n review the outdoor learning environment to provide more challenging opportunities for the most able children to develop their physical skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY499633 Local authority Sutton Inspection number 10237898 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 46 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Tinylittletinkers Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07803700799 Date of previous inspection 15 March 2022

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Information about this early years setting

St Albans Pre-School registered in 2016 and is situated in the London Borough of Sutton. The pre-school opens each weekday from 9am to 2.45pm, including morning and afternoon sessions, during term time only. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years. There are 13 members of staff, including the manager. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications from levels 2 to 6.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk, and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector held discussions with the provider, manager, staff, children and parents. n The inspector sampled relevant documentation, including the pre-school's improvement plan and evidence of staff suitability checks.

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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

12 September 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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