St Cuthbert's Early Years Centre

Inspection of St Cuthbert's Early Years Centre St. Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Thorburn Road, Wigan, Lancashire WN5 9LW

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive at nursery happy, confident and ready to learn. They are welcomed warmly by friendly staff, who greet children with a cheery 'hello'. Children have access to a wide array of exciting opportunities throughout their day. They freely access a carefully considered environment, and they explore the sand, water and painting activities available. Children are well behaved and polite. Staff have high expectations of children and know how to prepare them for the next stage in their education. They experience stimulating learning opportunities. For example, they use coloured lollipop sticks to make faces in the play dough.

p.2

The provision is good

Children benefit from lots of opportunities to develop their physical skills. They have access to purpose-built outdoor play areas, providing them with a range of enriching opportunities to support their physical development. Children take charge of their own risk assessments before playing outdoors; this allows them to understand risks and hazards. Children benefit from daily activities to support their emotional well-being. They talk about their feelings, which helps them to manage their emotions. For example, children read 'The Colour Monster' during key-person time as an opportunity to highlight their feelings. This allows the staff to talk to them about their emotions.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders carefully plan a curriculum that helps children to progress from their different starting points. Staff in each room focus on children's interests to help them learn through play. For example, children in the baby room learn to build towers and climb over the big soft blocks. They develop their muscle strength and confidence as they start to explore. n Staff provide effective support to children to help them become confident communicators. They encourage pre-school children to express their ideas and broaden their vocabulary. In the toddler room, staff focus on building children's skills, such as encouraging them to ask for help when they need it. Babies enjoy songs and listen very attentively when staff read them stories. n Key persons know their children well and can talk confidently about their learning needs and next steps in their education. However, staff do not consistently provide opportunities to extend children's learning even further. On

p.2

need to do better?

occasion, staff have a tendency to use closed questions when engaging with groups of children. They do not consistently allow children the opportunities to think critically, follow their own ideas and solve problems, when posed with a challenge. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are actively included and supported. Staff seek advice from external agencies to find ways of adapting to the needs of individual children. They use additional funding to

p.2

need to do better?

6 July 2022 provide a range of resources that help children to make progress in different areas of learning. For instance, an outdoor classroom provides a quiet area for focused interactions. Children learn to focus their attention and develop their communication skills. n Children follow good hygiene routines. They wash and dry their hands at appropriate times. They clean their teeth following their morning snack and learn about oral hygiene. However, lunchtime routines are not well organised for some groups of children. For instance, children wait a long time to self-serve their food, and they do not always have the correct cutlery or swift access to water. This hinders children's personal development during this part of the day. n Children's behaviour is good. They form close friendships with peers, playing together cooperatively. Children are confident and talk positively about themselves. Staff support children to develop their independence. For example,

p.2

need to do better?

they are encouraged to put on their own apron and put their completed work in their belongings tray. This helps to prepare them well for the next stage in their education. n Staff are professionally qualified. They speak enthusiastically about their roles and say that they feel valued and supported by the manager. Staff are well supervised and meet regularly with the manager to discuss their professional development. They receive guidance and training to help them improve their skills and knowledge. n Parents talk about the nursery with pride. They are pleased with the progress their children make. Relationships between staff and parents are very strong. Leaders and managers listen to the views of parents when developing the provision on offer.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff understand their responsibilities to protect children in their care. They are able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. Staff understand how to report their concerns about children's safety and well-being to the appropriate agencies. This includes the procedures to follow if allegations are raised concerning staff's conduct with children. Staff complete regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge refreshed. Robust recruitment procedures are in place to check the suitability of staff.

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of lunchtime routines to support children's personal development further n provide children with further opportunities to enhance their critical thinking,

p.3

should:

6 July 2022 extend their own ideas and have a go at the challenges posed.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY392355 Local authority Wigan Inspection number 10109794 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 76 Number of children on roll 109

p.5

Name of registered person

St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School Governing Body

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01942 222 721 Date of previous inspection 20 March 2014

p.5

Information about this early years setting

St Cuthbert's Early Years Centre registered in 2009. It is situated in St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School in the Norley Hall area of Wigan, and is managed by the school governing body. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff , they all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including one with early years professional status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.45am until 6pm. The nursery provides free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Parents and staff shared their views on the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector and the nursery manager carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on the children's learning. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

6 July 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7