Our Lady of Ransom Preschool

Inspection of Our Lady of Ransom Preschool Pope John Paul Hall, London Road, RAYLEIGH, Essex SS6 9DT

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are extremely keen and active learners. They cheerfully enter the pre- school, where they are greeted by caring staff who help them to place their belongings on their peg. Once in the main pre-school hall, children choose activities from the exciting, well-presented and resourceful environment, which staff set out each morning. Some children head straight for the craft table where they express themselves creatively and imaginatively. They freely access the superb selection of ribbons, boxes, glue, paper, stickers and a wide range of other materials. Staff are on hand to expertly guide and support their learning. For example, they help children to find just the right junk-modelling item to use for legs on their well- considered dinosaur model. Children become engrossed in role play and make excellent use of the interesting clothes, hats and bags available to help them to use their imagination and express themselves.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy learning outdoors in the exciting garden. They make very good use of resources to help to build on their physical skills, such as bicycles, tricycles and balancing resources. Children explore nature as they use a selection of bug-hunting equipment to seek out spiders, ants and worms. Staff help them to find and name the insects they find, using reference books and the internet to enhance the children's learning. Children freely access an exciting selection of books within the pre-school as well as borrowing their book of choice from the setting to share with their family at home. They have fun acting out their favourite stories.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the committee and manager have improved their understanding of information and changes that need to be notified to Ofsted. Managers take swift action to review and implement effective changes when issues arise. For example, following a recent incident, the procedures for checking the garden at the end of every outdoor session have been strengthened to ensure that all children have returned to the pre-school hall before the door is closed. n Parents speak extremely well of the pre-school manager and staff. They comment on the 'family feel' that they believe their children experience from the kind, caring and professional adults. Many parents comment on how effectively the manager and staff work to support any children with additional needs. Parents state that they appreciate the individual attention and dedication that the staff show the whole family, including attending specialist appointments

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need to do better?

when asked. n The manager and staff have very effective systems in place to plan for and meet every child's needs. They use the advice and guidance from outside professionals and agencies to put learning support and care plans in place for

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need to do better?

24 April 2023 every child. Staff use effective speech and language strategies to help to develop and promote individual children's communication skills. n The manager has a clear understanding of the setting's curriculum and what she and her staff want children to learn. They plan effectively to put the curriculum in place and regularly review and evaluate its effectiveness. For example, during the summer term, they place emphasis on children developing their independence skills in preparation for their next stage of learning. While there are good opportunities for children to be independent, such as by using knives to cut fruit, the manager recognises that there is scope for some children to be challenged more in their play and learning. n The manager and staff team work well together and have daily defined roles and responsibilities. They take time to evaluate how effective systems are, such as staff supervision. The manager is working on improving her monitoring of staff

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need to do better?

practice and managerial responsibilities to ensure that all aspects of the pre- school operate to a consistently high level. n Children are interested in learning about new things. Staff make excellent use of the 'curiosity cube', a resource where items of interest are placed. Children are able to see, explore and discuss what is inside. They are currently exploring a bird's nest. Staff are on hand to listen to the children's discussions and ask clear and purposeful questions to help them to develop their knowledge and thinking skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff demonstrate a secure knowledge of their responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children. They regularly update their safeguarding knowledge, for example, through training. Safeguarding scenarios are always discussed and reviewed at monthly team meetings. This helps to extend staff's understanding of how to recognise safeguarding concerns and the appropriate action they need to take if they have concerns about a child in their care. Staff are knowledgeable about wider safeguarding issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty and county lines.

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should:

n enhance opportunities for children to further develop their independence n review the arrangements for leaders to monitor all aspects of the pre-school to help to raise the quality of teaching and managerial procedures to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 203840 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10287394 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 53 Name of registered person Our Lady of Ransom Pre School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01268 780050 Date of previous inspection 21 June 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Our Lady of Ransom Preschool registered in 1993 and is run by a committee. The pre-school employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 2 and above, and the manager holds a degree at level 6. The pre-school opens from 9am until 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, during school term times. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector viewed all areas of the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager led the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about what they want children to learn. n Children shared their views with the inspector. 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 carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

24 April 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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