St Benedict's Pre-School

Inspection of St Benedict's Pre-School St. Benedicts Church, Hollingsworth Road, LOWESTOFT, Suffolk NR32 4AX

p.1

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's welfare is compromised. Those responsible for leading safeguarding practice do not fully understand local safeguarding procedures.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite this weakness, children demonstrate that they are happy to come into the pre-school and leave from their parents at the main door. The pre-school is well resourced. Children participate in a range of learning activities and experiences that support their interests and promote the areas of development. For example, staff add knives and forks to the play dough area. They encourage children to practise using them and support their use at mealtimes.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children have good relationships with staff and each key person knows their children well. Children are curious and show enjoyment as they engage in their play and learning. Staff enhance this through effective planning of the curriculum and the pre-school's layout, both indoors and outdoors. For example, staff use visual boards to support some children. This allows them to understand what will be happening next, as they move through different parts of the day. Children are active learners. They play and share cooperatively with each other, demonstrating they are learning key skills. Children happily share their play dough with others without hesitation.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and staff are aware of the signs of abuse and what to do if they have a concern about a member of staff. However, safeguarding leaders have not followed appropriate procedures when concerns arise that a child may be at risk of harm. This means they have not met their statutory obligation to protect children from harm, by sharing information with other agencies. n Leaders look to build on the opportunities and experiences they offer. For example, they introduce small group times with simple but effective games, that focus on attention, communication and language. Children enjoy taking part in the games and remain engaged for the entire duration. n Not all staff consistently promote good hygiene practice. For example, children play with ice in a tray and sometimes experiment by putting it in their mouths and spitting it back into the tray. Staff do not give children enough explanation to help them understand the importance of good hygiene.

p.2

need to do better?

n Parents speak positively about the setting, and the relationship they have with their child's key person. n The manager is clear about what she wants children to learn. Through observations, staff identify delays in some children's language and social development. The curriculum focuses on improving children's communication and language skills. Staff work to support this continuation at home, by sharing

p.2

need to do better?

30 November 2022 resources with parents. While there is a strong focus on teaching children how to sign, parents sometimes struggle to understand what their child is signing as they do not have enough information. n Leaders and staff understand their local community and the pressures they face. They look to support the families in all areas. The setting has recently started ensuring children can come in and eat as soon as they arrive. They provide food and other items for families to take, with donations they have received from the church and local community. n Children are learning through the activities staff provide. For example, as children help to prepare snack, the member of staff shows them how to use a knife to cut with. The member of staff shows children how to use the serrated edge to cut. Later, when children try to cut a pear, they look at the knife and turn it around to use the correct side themselves. Children are pleased with

p.2

need to do better?

themselves when they manage to cut the fruit by themselves. n The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) works well with parents to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They work in partnership where appropriate with external agencies and share this information with parents. Consequently, children receive targeted support for their learning, both at home and in the pre-school.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff designated to take the lead for safeguarding do not act swiftly to report child protection concerns to the relevant agencies. This does not keep children safe. However, staff know of the signs and symptoms of abuse and are aware of what procedures to follow if they had a concern about another member of staff. Staff receive regular training updates and filter this through to parents when appropriate. For example, when they receive information on local county lines, they pass this on to parents. Staff complete daily safety checks, both indoors and outdoors, to ensure the children's environment is safe at all times.

p.3

Due date

take action to protect children from harm and ensure that any concerns are promptly shared with relevant safeguarding agencies. 16/12/2022

p.3

should:

n support staff to give clear explanations to children about hygiene practice to help them understand how this contributes to their good health n provide parents with more information to enable them to support their child's learning and development at home.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY456784 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10236032 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person St Benedict's Pre-School Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07791849899 Date of previous inspection 15 March 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

St Benedict's Pre-School was registered in 2012. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 9.15am until 12.15pm. Afternoon sessions run from 12.45pm until 3.45pm on Tuesday and Thursday, with a lunch club from 12.15pm until 12.45pm. The pre-school provides funded 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 their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 observed the interactions between staff and children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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

30 November 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