St Paul's Childcare CIO

Inspection of St Paul's Childcare CIO St Pauls Church Community Centre, Church Road, Hereford, Herefordshire HR1 1RT

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive at the setting happy and are welcomed by the friendly and enthusiastic staff team. They display a strong sense of belonging as they independently hang their coat and bag on their named peg. Young children quickly settle into their chosen play. They are supported by staff who sit alongside them, offering plenty of praise and encouragement. Children delight in the role-play opportunities on offer. They pretend to make cups of tea and feed the dolls. Children access a broad curriculum which staff skilfully plan around themes, such as popular books and stories. They listen to stories read aloud by staff and choose to revisit these stories throughout the day. Young children involve story characters as they explore sand in the sensory tray. Children are familiar with storylines and correctly identify characters by name. They describe them and confidently point out that 'his eyes are orange'. Children benefit from daily opportunities to explore the

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The provision is good

outdoor learning environment. They develop the muscles in their hands as they mould clay to create characters from the story. Children collect different natural items from the ground, such as acorns, leaves and twigs. They think about what is best to use for different features. For example, children decide to break a twig into small pieces to make the prickles for the character's back.

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need to do better?

n The manager has supported staff through a number of changes, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a restructuring of leadership and staffing. She places a strong focus on staffs' well-being and has recently appointed a member of staff as a mental health champion. Staff state that they feel valued by leaders and managers. They explain how they share their ideas about the curriculum and feel they can talk to the manager if they are unsure or concerned about anything personally or professionally. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive tailor- made support to ensure their individual needs are met. The manager works well with other professionals, such as specialist health services to ensure children continue to access the external support they may need during their time at the setting. Staff receive specialist training to ensure they are equipped and confident to support children with SEND.

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need to do better?

n The manager is reflective and has a clear vision of what they do well and what they need to improve. She plans to extend opportunities for outings to promote children's understanding of the wider world and to promote their confidence outside of the setting. n Children participate in community events, such as harvest festival celebrations at the adjoining church. Staff bring children together as a group to prepare them for this. They talk about the routine of the event and practise singing action songs. However, staff do not always consider how to make sure group activities

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need to do better?

26 September 2022 meet the needs of the youngest children. At times, young children become a little overwhelmed as they are expected to participate in activities for extended periods. n Overall, staff support children's independence well. For example, younger children are encouraged to find their own coats and have a go at putting them on, before going to play outside. However, opportunities to fully promote older children's independence are sometimes overlooked. For example, at snack time, staff hand out children's cups, pour their drinks and serve them food, when children are capable of having a go at this themselves. n Children are active and have lots of opportunities to play outside each day. They learn to manage risks safely and develop their strength, balance and coordination as they play on a large climbing frame. Younger children take turns to play with ride-on cars. They use their imagination as they pretend to drive

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need to do better?

through the 'car wash'. n Staff form effective partnerships with parents. They have daily discussions with them at drop-off and collection times, and share a range of information and photographs in children's online learning journals. Parent feedback is highly complimentary. They value their welcome each morning by the 'friendly and smiley staff' and comment on the nurturing approach to children's emotional development. Parents comment on the wonderful early friendships their children form during their time at the setting. n Leaders and managers complete observations of staff's practice and offer ongoing feedback. However, the programme for coaching and mentoring staff is not always targeted as precisely as possible to identify professional development opportunities and raise staffs' knowledge to the highest level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff hold a clear knowledge and understanding of child protection practice. They demonstrate a secure awareness of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. Staff know the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about the children in their care. The manager ensures staff receive regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff complete regular risk assessments to ensure that the premises are suitable and children are kept safe. The manager has attended safer recruitment training to ensure robust procedures are in place for the employment of new staff.

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should:

n fully consider the needs of the youngest children during whole-group activities to promote their engagement and enjoyment to the same extent as their older

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should:

26 September 2022 peers n enhance opportunities during daily routines for children to do more for themselves to further develop their independence skills n strengthen systems in place for the coaching and mentoring of staff to target professional development opportunities and raise staffs' knowledge to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2509646 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 10194537 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 74 Number of children on roll 73 Name of registered person St Paul's Childcare CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01432 379363 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

St Paul's Childcare CIO registered in 2019 and is located in Hereford. It opens from 7.50am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The setting employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The manager is qualified to level 6. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This is the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken this into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum the setting provides. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with a senior member of staff. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to staff, parents, trustees and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She sampled a range of documents, including evidence of staffs' suitability.

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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

26 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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