St Mary's Pre-school Shortlands

Inspection of St Mary's Pre-school Shortlands St Mary's Church Hall, St Mary's Avenue, Bromley BR2 0PU

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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

Staff provide an extremely welcoming and nurturing environment where children thrive and make good progress. Children demonstrate they are keen to attend and arrive ready to enjoy their time at pre-school. Staff get to know children well from the beginning and are attentive to their needs. This helps children form strong bonds with their key person and feel safe and secure. Staff provide an ambitious and varied curriculum which takes account of children's interests and individual needs. They have high expectations for all children, including those who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff ensure all children receive the support they need to develop new knowledge and skills to prepare them for future learning.

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The provision is good

Staff inspire children to be independent and try things for themselves. For example, some children try using scissors for the first time. Staff provide demonstrations, support and encouragement. Children show a positive attitude to their learning. They respond well to praise which raises their self-esteem. Children proudly show staff their achievements. Other children work together to make play dough. They listen well to instructions, follow a recipe and share equipment. Children add ingredients, count and measure, which develops their understanding of mathematical concepts further.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan a well-sequenced curriculum which includes all areas of learning. They provide a range of exciting and challenging activities to build on children's knowledge. Staff recap on previous learning and introduce first-hand experiences that support children to practise and extend their skills. They use observations and assessments to ensure children are making good progress and identify any gaps in learning. Timely referrals are made to support children who need extra help. n Staff are enthusiastic and promote children's communication and language skills well. Staff engage children in conversations and speak clearly. They repeat words and effectively support children who have communication needs or speak English as an additional language. Staff provide commentary, introduce new vocabulary and ask meaningful questions. This helps children to learn new words and extend their sentences. n Parents speak extremely highly of the staff and service they provide. Parents feel

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need to do better?

very supported and involved in their children's learning, this includes referrals to provide extra support. Parents know their children's next steps and receive ideas to continue learning at home. Parents describe staff as kind and caring and knowing their children extremely well. They state children have made good progress with their language skills, confidence and independence.

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need to do better?

30 January 2024 n Staff are proactive in promoting children's well-being and healthy lifestyles. They have introduced extra physical activities, including yoga. This is having a calming effect on children and helping them prepare for their learning. Children serve themselves fruit and vegetables for snack using tongs which improves their fine motor skills. Children practise good hygiene routines and understand the importance of oral health. n Staff role model expected behaviour. They use praise and encouragement and reinforce good manners. Staff use opportunities to talk to children about safety. Children regularly make choices and vote. This helps them to learn about different emotions and build resilience. However, times when children move between activities and tidy-up time are less organised and some children become distracted. n Diversity and inclusion is embedded in practice. Children learn about other

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need to do better?

cultures and faiths. They learn about festivals which increases their knowledge about the wider world. Children visit a local care home to sing with the older generation which develops their social skills. Strong links have been made with local schools to support children when they move on in the learning. n The leader ensures staff have regular supervision sessions. They work towards targets and gain knowledge to help them progress. The leader has addressed the previous recommendation and has plans to make further improvements. Staff feel the leader is very supportive of their well-being. Together they review their practice and seek views from parents. The staff team work cohesively and are passionate about providing high quality care and education.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n strengthen routines at times when children move between activities to ensure all children are engaged and continue learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 137356 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 10308008 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 32 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person St Marys Church Pre-school Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 020 8290 6704 Date of previous inspection 16 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

St Mary's Pre-school Shortlands registered in 1992. It is located in Bromley, Kent. The pre-school is run by a committee under the goverance of St Mary's Church. It is open weekdays from 9.15am to 12.15pm, term time only. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for two- three- and four- year-old children. There are seven staff, six of whom hold relevant qualifications at level 3 and above. The pre-school employs a teacher.

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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 Leader and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 spoke to parents and children and took account of their views. n The Leader and inspector carried out joint observations of a group activity. 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

30 January 2024 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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