St Paul's Pre-School

Inspection of St Paul's Pre-School St Paul's Church, Main Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7WT

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare cannot be fully assured. This is because staff's suitability has not been robustly checked. For example, some staff do not have an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check in place, to confirm they are suitable to work with children.

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The provision is inadequate

However, staff warmly welcome children into the setting. Children happily come in, settle quickly and confidently select activities to play with. Children are polite and kind to one another. They have a good understanding of staff's high expectations for their behaviour. Staff skilfully build on children's interests as they introduce new ideas and concepts to their play. For example, children excitedly blow big bubbles with straws and soapy water. Staff encourage them to explore what happens when they add in paint and mix different colours. Children are excited when they work out mixing yellow and blue paint makes green paint.

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The provision is inadequate

Children learn to solve problems and think through solutions for themselves with support from staff. For example, staff help children think through different ways to get over the climbing frame. Children beam with delight when they work out how to get over the top and down the other side successfully.

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need to do better?

n The provider has a weak understanding of recruitment procedures, including how to complete effective suitability checks on staff. For example, they have not robustly checked the employment history or Disclosure and Barring Service checks of staff. This compromises children's safety and well-being. n The provider has put in place a curriculum that is challenging and builds on what children know and can do. The provider highly values children being creative as part of the curriculum and they provide children with ample opportunities to be artistic. n Children make good progress from their starting points. Staff are knowledgeable about each of the children. They use observations and assessments effectively to identify where children need further support, such as developing their listening and attention skills. However, staff do not always use this knowledge when deciding what children will learn next. Therefore, children's next steps do not

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need to do better?

always consistently build on what they know and can do. n Parents comment that their children 'thrive at the pre-school'. They talk positively about the high staff-to-child ratio as they feel it provides their child with one-to-one experiences. Parents praise the staff for their high levels of communication. They feel really included in the pre-school and know how to continue supporting their child's development at home. n Children are welcomed and included from the start at the pre-school. For

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need to do better?

17 October 2023 example, the provider is passionate about sharing each other's home languages. She encourages children to learn words from different languages to ensure everyone is included at the pre-school and has a sense of belonging. n Staff recognise that children need to develop their knowledge of numbers beyond reciting numbers. They are keen to provide opportunities to strengthen their mathematical skills. For example, they play games where they match quantities to numerals, such as putting five fish next to the correct number sign. n Children enjoy exploring and playing in the garden. Staff ensure they provide children with the opportunities to explore all aspects of the curriculum while out in the garden. For example, children enjoy making different marks with the chalks. This offers children who are reluctant to mark make indoors a chance to do this on a bigger scale. They are keen to show off their creations as they

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need to do better?

proudly show staff their pictures. n Children's communication and language skills develop well. Staff ensure children hear a wide range of vocabulary. They provide children with time to respond when asking questions. They model the pronunciation of words back to children, so that they hear the correct pronunciation. Staff engage children in conversation on topics that are important to them, such as a new baby in the family or a visit to 'big school'. This encourages children to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings with others as they excitedly chatter away. n The provider has developed good partnerships in the local community. For example, she shares information with the local schools to support children's transitions. This helps ensure children are ready for their next stage of learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider is not able to demonstrate that they understand how to robustly check staff suitability. They do not have a secure understanding of the different ways to check suitability effectively, such as checking staff's employment history and completing Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Despite these weaknesses, staff know the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk from harm. They know how to report concerns to their designated safeguarding lead and then on to the relevant local safeguarding partners as necessary. Staff update their safeguarding knowledge through regular training. They demonstrate an understanding of a wide range of safeguarding topics, such as the 'Prevent' duty.

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Due date

17 October 2023 improve understanding of suitability checks and implement a robust process to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. 02/11/2023

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should:

n enhance staff's understanding of how to use their knowledge of what children know and can do to plan more precisely for their next steps in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY492586 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10305452 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 17 Name of registered person Webb, Flavia Lorena

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reference number

Telephone number 01590 612084 Date of previous inspection 21 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

St Paul's Pre-School registered in 2015. The provision operates from St Paul's Church Hall in East Boldre, in Hampshire. The provision opens during term time, from 8.30am to 3pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 2pm on Fridays. The setting receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four. There are four staff working with the children, all of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 2 or level 3.

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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 setting. n The provider explained the curriculum intentions to the inspector during the learning walk. n The inspector took part in discussions with the provider and staff during the inspection. n The provider and the inspector observed and evaluated an activity together. n The inspector sampled relevant documents and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector observed staff and children throughout the day.

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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 October 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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