Steeple Bumpstead Pre-School

Inspection of Steeple Bumpstead Pre- School The Village Hall, Finchingfield Road, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 7EA

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Poor management of the pre-school by the committee has resulted in significant breaches of the welfare requirements. Ofsted has not been provided with the information required to check the suitability of all committee members. Not all committee members have completed the necessary enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. While committee members have little direct contact with the children, they participate in meetings and discussions which contain personal or confidential information. Additionally, risk assessments do not consistently help to identify and minimise hazards. Consequently, children's safety and welfare are not promoted.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite these breaches, children enjoy their time at this pre-school. They are busy and engage well in their play. Children choose from a wide range of activities. For example, they develop and strengthen their arm muscles as they roll, stretch and manipulate coloured dough. Children's behaviour is generally positive. They learn to share, and staff support them to talk through and resolve any disagreements. Staff teach children to respect their pre-school and encourage them to tidy away resources when they have finished with them. Children develop warm relationships with staff, who are kind and caring. They seek them out for cuddles and comfort and enjoy listening to stories read by staff.

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need to do better?

n Children's safety and welfare are not assured. The significant weaknesses in the provider's knowledge about informing Ofsted of new committee members means that not all committee members' suitability has been checked. Committee members hold essential roles in ensuring staff are suitable and the pre-school is run safely. n Children's daily safety at the pre-school is not fully assured. Staff do not review children's accidents and do not identify possible hazards. Consequently, risks to children's safety are not always prevented. Additionally, other risks are not identified. For example, a missing door handle means that, in an emergency, the entrance to the building is compromised. n The key-person system is not always effective. Some parents do not know who their child's key person is. The poor communication between staff and parents means that staff do not gain a clear understanding of children's individual needs

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need to do better?

when they first start. Parents do not know the full range of activities that their children engage in. They do not receive regular updates on their child's development. Therefore, they cannot always effectively continue their children's learning at home. n The manager has a clear oversight of the curriculum intent. She is passionate in her role and is keen to implement positive changes. However, not all staff are

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need to do better?

6 October 2022 clear about their roles to support children's individual learning and development. They are unable to identify children's next steps in development and, therefore, the quality of teaching is inconsistent. Despite the weaknesses in teaching, staff have some positive interactions with children, particularly during snack time, when children enjoy communicating with staff. n Staff state they feel supported by the manager. She is dedicated to helping them with their professional development. Both the manager and staff undertake training. However, there is a lack of support from the management committee. As a result, the manager does not receive supervision relating to her roles and responsibilities. This compromises staff's well-being and continued suitability for their roles. n Children's transitions to school are organised well. Staff create good working relationships with the local primary school. Children visit the reception class,

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need to do better?

meet teachers and watch school plays. This helps them to become familiar with the school environment. n Children learn to be independent. They are confident to ask staff for help and are also willing to have a go. Children learn to put on their own coats before going out. They enjoy their time outside, where they ride on tricycles and scooters. They practise their hand-to-eye coordination skills as they throw balls into hoops. n Parents speak positively about the pre-school. They say their children make improvements in their speech and language development. Parents comment that the gradual settling-in process helps their children to feel comfortable at the pre- school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

While there are elements of safe recruitment systems in place, the provider has failed to ensure all adults who have direct or indirect contact with children are suitable. Leaders and staff know the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm or abuse. However, staff do not have a complete understanding of the pre-school's safeguarding policies and procedures. For example, children's safety is compromised due to staff's weak knowledge around keeping children safe online. Not all staff are aware of important safeguarding policies, such as whistle-blowing. This means staff do not know how to report concerns they may have regarding staff or committee members' actions.

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Due date

6 October 2022 ensure that all persons with governance and oversight understand their roles and responsibilities to raise the quality of the provision 11/11/2022

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Due date

ensure that all committee members submit necessary forms to Ofsted to allow essential suitability checks to be completed 21/10/2022

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Due date

ensure risk assessments are effective in identifying hazards to children and take prompt action to reduce or minimise these risks 21/10/2022

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Due date

ensure all staff understand the safeguarding policy and procedure and are able to demonstrate a secure knowledge of how to identify and report child protection concerns, including whistle-blowing procedures 21/10/2022

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Due date

improve communication with parents to ensure they are well informed about their children's key person, children's development and the ways children's learning can be supported at home 11/11/2022

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Due date

improve the procedures for all staff, including the manager, to receive effective support, coaching and training to fulfil their roles, to identify and target weaker aspects of staff knowledge and improve their personal effectiveness 11/11/2022

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Due date

ensure that an accurate understanding of each child's level of achievement, interests and learning styles is obtained, and use the information to plan learning experiences that are tailored to meet each child's needs. 11/11/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 650139 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10234596 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 12 Name of registered person Steeple Bumpstead Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07805 061169 Date of previous inspection 15 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Steeple Bumpstead Pre-School registered in 1999. It is managed by a voluntary management committee. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, during term time. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children. It employs three members of staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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 and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff and committee members.

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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

6 October 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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