St Saviours Pre-School

Inspection of St Saviours Pre-School St Saviours Church Hall, Sandpit Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 4DF

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children arrive at the setting eager and ready to begin their pre-school day. Children have an excellent understanding of the pre-school routine. For example, older children know to go straight to the 'Rainbow Room' and put their book bags into the box. Children immediately become engaged in activities, looking to see where the dinosaurs are today. They are delighted when they see the volcano and river area and begin building their own construction pieces around it.

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The provision is good

Children develop warm relationships with all staff within the pre-school. As they arrive, children seek out certain staff members, welcoming physical comfort from them. This demonstrates how safe and secure children feel within the pre-school. Staff take time to get to know children. They work with children's families to find out about their interests and the skills they have already achieved. Staff use this knowledge to create activities which children enjoy, encouraging them to develop a love of learning.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They are kind to each other and help each other when needed. Staff work hard to support children with sharing toys. They talk to children about why they need to share, helping them to understand the pre-school's rules and values.

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need to do better?

n The leaders and staff team have a clear understanding of what they would like children to learn while at the pre-school. Staff use regular assessments to look for gaps in children's learning, creating activities and experiences for children to begin to develop these skills. Activities are often repeated in different ways so children can gain confidence in the knowledge they already have. n Staff successfully promote children's communication and language skills. They come down to the children's level and talk to them in a soft, calm and friendly tone, maintaining eye contact. Older children ask staff what words mean as they are used in sentences, such as, 'What does famous mean?' as they discuss the volcanoes in Italy. n Children develop a clear love for books. Staff regularly share stories with children, using different voices and tones to keep children engaged. Each week staff share a book with the whole pre-school based on their current theme.

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need to do better?

Older children benefit from a lending library. They talk with staff about the book they have been reading each week. This supports children's school readiness. n Children are sometimes encouraged to develop their independence. However, staff are not consistent in providing opportunities for children to manage their personal needs. For example, some children pour their own drinks a snack time. However, at other times, staff pour children's drinks.

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need to do better?

1 February 2023 n Children enjoy investigating and exploring during planned activities. However, staff do not consistently allow children to think of their own ideas. For example, staff tell children how to fix their pom-poms onto a tube rather than allowing them to find their own ways. n Parents speak highly of the pre-school. They comment on how happy their children are and how much they talk about their pre-school day when they get home. Staff regularly share development information with parents and work with them to ensure consistency for all children. Parents return with younger siblings as they find the staff 'approachable and friendly'. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported within the pre-school. Staff quickly identify where children may need additional support and work closely with families to support them through this process. Leaders share training courses with parents at home so approaches can

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need to do better?

be used consistently. As a result, all children make good progress in their learning and development. n The pre-school staff team have worked together for many years, and this is evident in the cohesive approach they take. Staff regularly share ideas and training with each other and place the children at the heart of everything they do. Staff feel very well supported by the leaders and enjoy the time they spend at the pre-school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding and their roles and responsibilities. They are confident to record and report any concerns they may have about children and know the relevant professionals they need to share information with. Staff understand local issues such as county lines and know their responsibilities under the 'Prevent' duty guidance. Procedures are in place for monitoring children's attendance and staying in contact with families, ensuring that all children are kept safe. Regular safeguarding training is completed by all staff to ensure that their knowledge is current.

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should:

n make the most of opportunities to help children to develop their independence n support staff to enable children to think of their own ideas and try tasks by themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 123588 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10264432 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 40 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person St Saviours Preschool Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01727 864490 Date of previous inspection 15 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

St Saviours Pre-School registered in 1999. It operates from St Saviours Church Hall in central St Albans and employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including two who hold qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens from 9.15am until 1pm, Monday to Wednesday, and from 9.15am until 12.15pm, Thursday and Friday, during term time. It 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 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 inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 special educational needs coordinator 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 manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during an activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

1 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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