St Peter And St Mary's Pre-school

Inspection of St Peter And St Mary's Pre-school St Mary's Community Centre, Silverdale Avenue, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1LS

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this welcoming and inclusive pre-school. Staff greet children with warm interactions. This helps children to settle quickly and feel safe and secure. Children are keen to explore the interesting activities on offer and play with their friends. They enjoy playing in the pre-school garden. There is a hive of activity as children race around the garden path on ride-on toys. They call out, 'You can't catch me, I am fast'. Children have good opportunities to be imaginative and bring their fantasies alive. For example, they enjoy being 'builders' and 'shopkeepers'.

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The provision is good

Children experience a variety of stories, rhymes and songs which help them develop a wide vocabulary. Older children begin to explore rhyming words. They giggle and show their delight as they call out 'fly' and 'High'. Children are curious to gain further knowledge. For example, they share their thoughts and ideas of why it is cold outside and say, 'it is winter and 'it is freezing and frosty'.

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The provision is good

Children are developing their independence. They use the toilet independently and wash and dry their hands. Children put their coats on when going outside. They have good manners and say 'please' and 'thank you' without prompting from staff.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff offer an inspiring and sequenced curriculum. This means that all children, including those who speak English as an additional language and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress. Staff build on what children already know and can do. Children are well supported with achieving their next steps. The setting uses additional funding effectively to support children's individual needs. For example, they provide extra hours and one-to-one support. n The dedicated manager has a clear and ambitious vision for the pre-school. She is passionate about offering high-quality care and education. The manager prioritises staff's well-being. She provides training opportunities for them to continue learning. Staff feedback that they enjoy their job and that they are extremely well supported. n Staff skilfully teach mathematics during everyday activities. For example, during

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need to do better?

imaginative play, staff ask children how many eggs they want for breakfast. Children learn prepositions, such as 'in front of' and 'behind' as they line up and pretend to be a train. Younger children count blocks as they build a tower and learn about two-dimensional shapes. n Books are accessible everywhere in the pre-school. Children become enthralled as staff tell stories with expression and joy. They use non-fiction books to learn about the animals who live in the wild. Children tell staff that 'hippos are not

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need to do better?

8 February 2023 friends with lions'. The pre-school offers support with home learning through a book-lending scheme. n Children's behaviour is generally good. Staff praise children for their good behaviour. However, staff do not consistently help children understand the consequences of their actions. For example, when younger children throw toys, they are not given an explanation as to why it is unacceptable behaviour. n Children are enthusiastic and active learners. They look through recipe books together and discuss their ideas of what they would like to cook. Younger children become immersed as they explore the sand. They use toy diggers to scoop up the sand and use their fingers to make lines. Children watch intently as sand falls from their hands and rub it between their fingers to see how it feels. n Staff encourage children to be independent during snack time. Children line up and serve their own snack. They spread butter on toast with a knife and pour

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need to do better?

their drink. However, during snack times some children are waiting around as there are not enough spaces at the snack table. As a result of this, children become frustrated and restless. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents speak positively about the pre- school and say that the staff are 'kind', 'caring' and 'approachable'. Staff keep parents fully up to date with their children's learning and development through an online app and daily feedback. Parents state that their children are thriving and love coming to the pre-school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a clear understanding of child protection issues and their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding all children. They know the signs of abuse to look out for and their responsibilities in keeping children safe. Staff are clear about the importance of making prompt referrals should they have any concerns about a child. The site is secure, and there are clear visitor procedures. Staff check the environment regularly to ensure it is a safe place for children to play.

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should:

n support staff to give children clear and consistent messages on behavioural expectations, to help them manage their own behaviour more effectively n review and improve the routines at snack time, so that children do not become frustrated and restless while they wait for their food and drink.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251655 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10264627 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person St Peter And St Mary's Preschool Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07803290272 Date of previous inspection 21 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

St Peter and St Mary's Pre-school registered in 2000. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 9am to 12noon. On Tuesday and Wednesday, sessions are from 9am until 4pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school 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 setting. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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, both 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 The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to several 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 working at the setting.

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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

8 February 2023 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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