Aston Pre-School and Creche Services Ltd

Inspection of Aston Pre-School and Creche Services Ltd St James Parish Church, 223a Frederick Road, Birmingham B6 6BP

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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 are happy and settled in this pre-school. Staff greet them warmly as they arrive. Children have a close relationship with their key person and the staff team. This helps them to feel safe and secure. Staff have high expectations for all children. They provide a variety of interesting activities which children enjoy. For example, toddlers make shape prints with paints and pre-school children scoop and build with sand. Staff follow children's interests and adapt planning spontaneously. For example, as snow starts to fall, staff take children outside where they enjoy chasing, catching and feeling the snow. Children develop their large-muscle skills as they run around or kick balls.

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The provision is good

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, staff place a strong focus on supporting children's personal, social and emotional needs. Children begin to show confidence in their own ability and recognise their own feelings. During group times, staff encourage children to talk about how they are feeling. Children confidently ask visitors their name and ask how they are feeling too. Staff use positive praise and explanations to manage children's behaviour. As a result, children behave well.

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need to do better?

n The manager is committed to the development of her staff team and ensures they benefit from ongoing support and training. Recent training in how to provide safe, physical care for children helps staff to provide more effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Many children join the setting with skills below those expected for their age. Staff recognise this and focus foremost on giving children the emotional support they need to feel safe, happy and eager to learn. Overall, teaching is good. All children, including those in receipt of additional funding, make good progress from their starting points. n Staff know what they want children to learn. For example, staff place a high priority on developing children's communication and language skills. Staff consistently model new words and language. They ask children questions to test their understanding and develop conversations. Children enjoy singing songs

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need to do better?

and rhymes. They excitedly practice singing the 'I love Mummy' song in preparation for a mothers' day assembly celebration the next week. n Staff know children well and follow children's interests when planning learning opportunities. They make regular observations and assessments of children's abilities. However, staff do not consistently use individual assessment information to focus planning more precisely on what each child needs to learn next. n Children benefit from some effective communication between the nursery, parents and any other professionals involved. Staff maintain good relationships

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need to do better?

8 March 2023 and share information about children's care. However, staff do not always share detailed information about children's next steps to help parents build on learning at home. n Staff promote children's independence well. For example, children put their own coats and hats on before they go outside. Children choose what they want to play with and access resources independently. They tidy away toys when they have finished playing with them. n Children know what is expected of them. This is because staff help to reinforce expectations. During group times, staff remind children of the simple nursery rules. For example, children know they must use 'kind hands' and listen to adults and each other. They play cooperatively and take turns with resources. n Staff support children to build and balance with construction pieces. They encourage children to recognise colours and count objects as they play. Children

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need to do better?

are beginning to understand mathematical concepts as they talk about their towers being 'tall'. n Overall, children benefit from a range of resources and activities. Staff working with toddlers provide experiences throughout the session to engage and motivate children. However, staff do not manage transition times, such as snack time or the end of the session, as successfully for pre-school children. At times, children wait as staff clear away resources to prepare for the next part of the day. This means there are fewer activities available to consistently engage children in play and learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that might suggest a child is at risk of harm. They know the procedures to follow and the people to inform if they have concerns about a child's safety or welfare. All staff have completed appropriate training. The deployment of staff is well organised to ensure that children remain safe. Staff know what to do if they are concerned about other staff's practice and how to follow the setting's whistle- blowing policy. The manager carries out effective recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff working with children are deemed suitable.

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should:

n focus planning and teaching more precisely on what individual children need to learn next n develop parent partnerships and share more information to help parents build on learning at home n review transition times in the pre-school room to consistently engage children in

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY475558 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10278865 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 55 Name of registered person Aston Pre-School and Creche Services Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0121 4397381 / 07884 282356 Date of previous inspection 25 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Aston Pre-School and Creche Services Ltd originally registered in 2010. The pre- school opens each weekday, from 9am to 3.30pm, during term time. The pre- school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one holds a qualification at level 2. The manager holds early years teacher status. 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 conducted a leadership and management meeting with the nursery manager. n The manager completed a learning walk with the inspector, where they discussed the curriculum. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager where they evaluated the quality of teaching and practice together n The inspector spoke to parents, staff and children throughout the inspection.

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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 March 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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