Paint Pots Preschool @ St Marks

Inspection of Paint Pots Preschool @ St Marks St. Marks C of E Junior School, Stafford Road, SOUTHAMPTON SO15 5TE

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

Children very happily say goodbye to their parents and carers and confidently enter the pre-school. They show an excellent understanding of the routine as they happily hang up their bags and coats.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children benefit from an exciting curriculum which has been specifically designed to meet their individual needs. They are learning to be extremely independent and to be effective communicators. Children listen to staff and their peers attentively. Children display excellent behaviour. They listen carefully and show great determination when making a house from different-size cardboard boxes. Children enthusiastically use all of the available resources to replicate doors, windows and chimneys. Staff skilfully extend children's curiosity by encouraging them to look at the houses around the pre-school and make comparisons to their own models.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children very frequently hear new words as staff develop their vocabulary at every opportunity. Staff provide excellent commentary during children's play. For example, children are encouraged to express how ice 'melts' and how it is 'freezing' on their hands.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children are eager to help to keep the playroom tidy and safe. They relish the opportunity to assist staff with tidying tasks. Children rush to help wash the play dough table and empty the painting tray before lunchtime.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager has developed an exceptionally strong staff team who are dedicated to providing the best care and education for children. The highly passionate staff are skilled at identifying early developmental concerns. Staff work with other professionals to ensure first-rate early intervention. n Staff have high expectations of all the children. They skilfully assess children's levels of development. Staff use this to expertly provide stimulating activities that build on what children already know and can do. n The manager has a rigorous training plan in place for staff so they can constantly update their already excellent practice. For example, targeted training has helped staff to deepen their understanding of how to support children with their auditory and talking skills. Staff use the knowledge they have learned in their exemplary practice, such as giving children ample time to answer open- ended, targeted questions.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children are highly inquisitive. They show a very keen interest in finding out how things work, such as investigating threaded material through plastic crates. They pick up the crates, turn them upside down and laugh with peers as they work it out. They then replicate the patterns themselves, displaying great pride when

p.2

need to do better?

21 September 2022 doing so. n The inspirational manager provides great support to all her team. She is passionate about evaluating the pre-school with all the staff and she appreciates and values their input. Staff are encouraged to continuously develop their skills and excellent teaching practice as the manager feels there are always improvements which can be made. Staff regularly observe each other and encouragingly share examples of good practice. Regular, supportive team meetings ensure staff feel extremely valued and supported in their roles. n Parent partnership is an extremely strong priority for the pre-school. Parents are unanimous in their praise for the staff team and the high standards of teaching across the pre-school. For example, a parent commented that 'staff treat the children as if they are their own'. Staff have extensive discussions about the well-being and achievements of children each day. This is reinforced by the use

p.2

need to do better?

of digital media, which parents greatly appreciate and value. n Children are extremely well supported to understand how to keep themselves healthy through different activities. For example, they excitedly take part in a music-and-movement session. Children join in with lyrics and actions, squealing with laughter as they do. Some children hold hands with peers and encourage them to follow their movements and facial expressions. n Parents of children who speak English as an additional language are asked to give details about their family's language, home life and cultures. This is so staff can then celebrate these cultures, languages and events. Parents give staff key words in their home language to aid the staff to communicate with the children, so these children are given the same opportunities as all the other children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have exceptional knowledge of how to keep children safe. They have an excellent understanding of the signs to look for that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. This includes a variety of safeguarding issues, such as female genital mutilation and county lines. Staff are extremely confident in knowing how to report any concerns they may have. Regular team meetings allow staff to discuss current safeguarding issues and receive updates and training. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example by taking great care to pick up dropped ice cubes to ensure nobody slips on them.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY427548 Local authority Southampton Inspection number 10137586 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 31 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Paint Pots Pre-School & Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07856 634728 Date of previous inspection 23 May 2014

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Paint Pots Pre-school and Nursery at St Mark's registered in 2011 and operates from two rooms in St Mark's Church of England Junior School in Shirley, Southampton. It operates during school terms only from Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 3.15pm. The pre-school receives funding for free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. There are five staff working with the children. Of these, one has early years professional status and three hold childcare qualifications at level 3.

p.4

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 her evaluation. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children throughout the day and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector held discussions with the management team, parents, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents' views were considered, through discussions and written testimonials. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including evidence of the suitability and training of staff.

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

21 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.

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