St Augustine of Canterbury Preschool

Inspection of St Augustine of Canterbury Preschool Boscombe Crescent, Downend, Bristol BS16 6QR

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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 flourish in this warm and nurturing pre-school. They arrive happy and are eager to play with their friends. Caring, attentive and friendly staff members give them a warm welcome. Children demonstrate they feel safe. They have formed close attachments to their key people and enjoy the cuddles and reassurance they receive. Children confidently approach the inspector, introduce themselves and share their play ideas, showing their comfort and trust in this environment.

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The provision is good

The manager and staff collaborate to organise an ambitious and highly inclusive curriculum for all children under their care, particularly for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Recognising the interests, ages and abilities of each child, they tailor activities to stimulate curiosity and foster development. This adaptive and attentive approach ensures that all children make substantial progress in their learning and development. For example, children actively engage with the number line by attaching the correct numbered peg. To accommodate diverse abilities, staff offer various types of pegs, ensuring participation and learning for all children. Children with SEND happily participate in group activities such as story time, using sensory cushions to support their needs. The setting brims with opportunities for mark making that the children relish. Older children work on pencil control activities, while younger ones explore finger

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The provision is good

movement in sensory trays, prepping for future pen or pencil use.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff prioritise fostering the development of children's communication and language skills. They ensure they utilise clear and positive language during their interactions with the children. Children delight in listening to a broad spectrum of stories, widening their understanding and vocabulary. Children develop their literacy skills through active participation in phonic activities, where they focus on letter sounds and cultivate a passion for reading. Staff encourage children to repeat these words and incorporate them into their daily conversations, thereby enhancing their communication abilities. n Children thoroughly enjoy daily outdoor play, eagerly exploring activities and improving their physical skills. The garden aids their development of both fine and gross motor skills. They climb and balance on equipment, strengthening their core. Scooter rides add fun while fostering motor skills. They also enjoy

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need to do better?

sensory play, using sand and water to scoop and mix. n The manager and staff nurture children's problem-solving skills and independence preparing them for future learning opportunities. Children explore and learn independently using fidget toys, magnifiers and wind-up toys. These activities enhance cognitive skills for future problem-solving. Additionally, children confidently complete everyday tasks independently, such as cutting

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need to do better?

17 May 2023 fruit, pouring drinks and hanging their coats on pegs. n Children enthusiastically develop their creativity and imagination through play. They engage in activities such as washing toy babies, hanging clothes, manipulating dough and creating models with cutters. They also enjoy making pretend chocolate cakes in the mud kitchen. n The manager and staff encourage positive behaviour and good interactions among children. They set behaviour expectations from the beginning and acknowledge children's achievements by praising them and awarding certificates as rewards. n Children enjoy a variety of fruit during their snack time at the setting. Staff skilfully engage them in conversations about the vital role of healthy foods, such as fruit, in maintaining good health. However, since children bring their own packed lunches to enjoy later, the messages staff are able to convey about a healthy diet are sometimes not consistent. Their liaison with parents is not

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need to do better?

always successful in helping children fully understand and develop a healthy lifestyle. n Parents highly praise the staff and setting, maintaining familiarity with their child's key person for easy communication. They receive regular updates about their child's day when collecting them, and actively participate in meetings to discuss their child's development and future learning stages. n The manager passionately embraces her role, demonstrating dedication and commitment to providing children with exceptional learning opportunities. Her contagious enthusiasm positively supports the professional growth and well- being of the staff. The manager encourages training and emphasises continuous evaluation to consistently enhance outcomes and experiences for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of how to keep children safe. They have a clear understanding of their individual responsibilities to ensure children's welfare. They are confident in the procedure to follow should they have a concern regarding a child's well-being. Regular safeguarding training, including wider aspects of child protection, is a priority to ensure that all staff have a good knowledge of how to protect children. The premises are safe and secure.

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should:

n enhance partnerships with parents contributing towards children's understanding of what it means to have a healthy lifestyle even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 136075 Local authority South Gloucestershire Inspection number 10289602 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 21 Number of children on roll 21

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Name of registered person

St Augustine of Canterbury Nursery Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 0117 9561166 Date of previous inspection 30 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

St Augustine of Canterbury Preschool registered in 1978. It is located in Downend, Bristol. The pre-school is open on Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3.30pm term time only. The pre-school employs seven members of staff. Of these, the manager holds an appropriate qualification in childcare at level 5 and five members of staff hold an appropriate qualification at level 3. There is also one member of staff who is unqualified. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 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 communicated with 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 education needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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 a joined observation of a small-group activity with the

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Inspection activities

manager. 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

17 May 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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