St Clements Pre-School

Inspection of St Clements Pre-School St Clements Church, 307 Kingston Road, Epsom KT19 0BW

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive happy and confidently leave their parents and carers at the door. The manager has good procedures in place to support new starters at the pre- school. Parents complete forms and share care information during settling-in visits. Staff are kind and nurturing in their interactions. This helps children feel safe and secure.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff develop a curriculum that is inviting and engaging. For instance, they plan activities to focus on children's speech and social skills. They introduce toy farm animals and repeat the words 'horse' and 'cow', replicating the sounds they make. Staff develop children's love of their favourite stories to continue to broaden their growing vocabulary. Children who speak English as an additional language are well supported. Staff use simple sentences and gestures to support children's understanding. This helps all children to achieve a good understanding of English and develops their speech over time.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are joined by staff as they play imaginatively. They are deeply engrossed as they walk over bubble wrap, listening to the 'popping'. Staff allow children to lead their play. They gently guide and support children at appropriate moments. For instance, as children make 'magic potions', staff skilfully support younger children in sharing and taking turns. As such, children's behaviour is good.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff encourage children to become independent in their self-care, ready for the move to school. Children hang their belongings up when they arrive at pre- school. Staff encourage children to wash their hands and use the toilet independently. This helps children develop healthy habits for the future. n Staff provide children with opportunities to develop their fine motor skills in preparation for early writing. For example, older children use tweezers to find plastic bugs and weigh them in scales. Staff teach children to safely use scissors as they cut templates of their bodies they have drawn around. They seamlessly weave opportunities for children to learn about their body parts. n Staff promote oral hygiene well. Children enjoy brushing toy teeth. They demonstrate their understanding as they talk about 'brushing the germs off'. Staff offer advice and support to parents on how to promote good habits with

p.2

need to do better?

food. This helps children and parents to make well-informed decisions about the foods that they bring in their packed lunches. n Staff support children's development of communication and language well. They ensure that children hear the correct pronunciation of words and extend their vocabulary through a varied range of experiences. However, when asking questions, staff sometimes lose focus and ask about numbers and colours,

p.2

need to do better?

17 May 2024 rather than following children's play. This can somewhat interrupt children's thinking and problem-solving skills. n Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. They consistently teach the children the pre-school routine well. This means children know from the outset what is expected of them. n All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points. The manager and staff work closely with other professionals to ensure that children with SEND receive tailored support for their individual needs. n Staff encourage children to become independent in their self-care, ready for the move to school. Children hang their belongings up when they arrive at the pre- school. Staff encourage children to wash their hands and use the toilet independently. This helps children develop healthy habits for the future. n Staff plan an array of stimulating activities for the children based on their next

p.2

need to do better?

steps and interests. However, at times, the organisation of activities and group times is not well thought out. For example, staff split children into small groups, but they are distracted by different resources. Consequently, this leads to occasions where children become distracted. n Partnership with parents is strong. An effective key-person system ensures that the staff know the children well. They invest time in getting to know the children and their family well before they attend. Parents speak highly about the friendly, welcoming staff and the excellent progress. n Leadership is strong. Staff's well-being is a high priority. Leaders ensure that managers who are new to their role receive continuous support and guidance, including professional training. For example, the new manager has recently attended training on creating an environment that fosters children's exploration. She has shared this with her team who have adjusted some areas in the pre-

p.3

need to do better?

school to create an even more stimulating environment for children to explore.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n improve the organisation of activities and some group times with an aim to ensure that all children's learning is maximised n support staff to recognise when to introduce new ideas to extend children's learning even further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY499651 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10339243 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Tinylittletinkers Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07803700799 Date of previous inspection 5 July 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

St Clements Pre-School registered in 2016. It operates from St Clements Church Hall in Ewell, Epsom. The pre-school is one of five settings that are privately owned by Tiny Little Tinkers Limited. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff. Of whom, six hold appropriate qualifications at level 2 to level 3. The pre- school opens from Monday to Friday, term-time only. Sessions are from 9am to 2.45pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

p.4

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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre-school. 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 The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the pre-school. 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 manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a planned activity. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

17 May 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6