St Joseph's Childcare Group

Inspection of St Joseph's Childcare Group St. Joseph's Primary School, Bridge Road, ALDERSHOT, Hampshire GU11 3DD

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive happily at the nursery and are greeted by warm and caring staff. Activities that children enjoy are provided, which helps children to settle quickly. Babies giggle with delight at the songs staff sing to them throughout the day. Staff babble with babies and introduce new words, which babies repeat as they play. Older children enjoy stories and join in songs, actions and rhymes. All children enjoy sociable mealtimes. Staff sit with children and model new and descriptive vocabulary.

p.2

The provision is good

Older children spend short periods each day in the pre-school area. This prepares them for the busier environment when they move rooms. Toddlers confidently move around the outdoor space and make choices about what they want to explore next. Non-mobile babies spend lots of time with their key persons, who support them well to develop their large muscles to learn to stand. They share resources and take turns to use ride-on cars and push-along walking aids.

p.2

The provision is good

Children make good progress in relation to their starting points for learning and develop skills for future learning. Staff's enthusiasm and effective interactions enhance children's enjoyment and build on their learning well.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff model expected behaviour and show respect to children. They regularly use praise and offer gentle reminders. Children behave well and use good manners. They help with tasks, such as tidying up, which promotes their independence ready for the next stage of learning. n Staff are motivated to undertake additional training and qualifications. They share their learning from training courses, which helps to improve practice across the setting. Leaders and managers show a genuine commitment to promoting the well-being of staff. As a result, staff comment that they feel valued and well supported in their work. n Parents speak highly of the nursery and the caring staff. They acknowledge that their children have settled well. Parents comment that staff share noticeable improvements in their children's language skills, confidence and independence. They receive daily updates on their children's routines and learning. However,

p.2

need to do better?

inconsistencies have been identified in the sharing of children's next steps in learning and ideas for their learning at home with parents. n Staff develop a rich curriculum for children that encourages them to investigate and explore. During adult-led activities, such as messy play, they provide familiar materials to engage children's curiosity. However, staff do not fully consider how to organise the environment to ensure children have free access to a wider range of resources, such as books and mark-making opportunities to support

p.2

need to do better?

21 September 2022 their early reading and writing. n Early mathematical language is emerging through children's play. Children count objects in picture books with staff and learn about positional language as they play in the sand. n Leaders recognise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and have adjusted their curriculum to reflect this. Attention has been given to supporting children's personal and social skills so that they can grow in confidence as they explore their surroundings and environment. Additionally, staff recognise that some children require additional support in further developing their language and physical skills. n The new manager has a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development in relation to provision and staff practice. She spends time in the room observing staff and sets targets for their continued professional development in meetings. n Staff teach children about healthy eating options, how these contribute to their

p.2

need to do better?

good health and how some foods are not good for their teeth. They discuss the benefits of eating healthy food at snack time with children to help them understand the importance of making healthy choices. In addition, staff support parents with information to help them to provide their children with healthy food in their lunch boxes.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

All staff have a good understanding of their responsibility to safeguard children, which includes whistle-blowing. They recognise the signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk from harm or abuse. Staff receive regular safeguarding training, including on the 'Prevent' duty. They know the procedures to follow if they have any concerns regarding a child's welfare. The management team has robust recruitment procedures in place and completes ongoing checks to ensure the suitability of staff. Staff use risk assessments and daily checks to make sure that the environment is free from hazards and that children's safety remains a high priority.

p.3

should:

n share children's next steps in learning and ideas to extend their learning at home more consistently with parents n expand opportunities for children to freely access a wider range of resources to support their early reading and writing.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 109923 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10228019 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 9 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person St. Joseph's Child Care Group

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01252 350583 Date of previous inspection 6 October 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

St Joseph's Nursery registered in 1987. The day nursery is situated in the grounds of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Aldershot, Hampshire. It is open weekdays from 8am to 5pm. The nursery offers care for babies and young children aged three months to two years. There are four members of staff. Of these, the manager holds a qualification at level 4 and two members of staff hold 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 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 inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector conducted a joint observation of an activity with a manager and reviewed the quality of teaching and learning. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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