St Michael's Family Centre (St Clements Site)

Inspection of St Michael's Family Centre (St Clements Site) 101 Churchgate Way, Terrington St. Clement, King's Lynn PE34 4LZ

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this welcoming nursery. They happily leave their parents at the door and are supported, when needed, by the friendly and nurturing staff. Children develop strong attachments from the start of their care. Staff know the children and their families well and, as a result, children settle quickly and have a strong sense of belonging. Children enjoy looking at photographs of their families and the families of their friends. Staff support discussions about the people they can see, and this helps children to build on their knowledge of similarities and differences.

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The provision is good

Children respond well to the securely embedded rules and routines of the nursery. Staff ensure that children are aware of what is happening now and next, through discussions and visual prompts. They communicate their high expectations of children's behaviour through clear, simple instructions. Children are encouraged to help to tidy away and know they need to wash their hands before mealtimes. Staff help children to develop good social skills, such as taking turns in play. Consequently, children's behaviour is good.

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The provision is good

Staff provide a learning environment that captivates children's interests. As children eagerly explore the water area, staff support discussions about the names of the sea creatures they find, building on their prior knowledge. Younger children develop their hand-to-eye coordination as they carefully transport water from one container to another. Older children delight in looking for minibeasts in the garden, and use a tick sheet to monitor the insects they find. Experiences such as these help children to make good progress in their learning.

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need to do better?

n The manager is enthusiastic and dedicated to providing children with the best possible start in their education. She devises a curriculum that incorporates all areas of learning, ensuring that the developmental needs and interests of the children are planned for and consistently evaluated. n Staff use effective assessments to track children's progress from their starting points and plan activities that are targeted to meet children's individual learning needs. This has a positive impact on the quality of learning and care for all children. During self-directed time, children thoroughly immerse themselves in their play. They make the staff and their peers pretend cups of tea and share slices of cake. As they explore the outdoor area, they water the plants and talk about what is needed to help fruit grow. However, during self-directed play, some staff do not consistently recognise when children would benefit from

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need to do better?

interventions to extend their learning and enjoyment. n Staff encourage children to develop a real interest in books. During free play,

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need to do better?

4 July 2024 children snuggle up and share stories of their choice. They listen intently as staff enthusiastically read to them, engaging them in discussions and building on their growing vocabulary. During adult-led group times, staff read well-known texts and children show good levels of engagement as they join in with familiar words and phrases. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. The special educational needs coordinator is alert to children's emerging difficulties and responds swiftly to concerns about children's development. She makes timely referrals so that children receive additional support from health professionals and implements personalised intervention plans. The nursery uses funding well to meet the needs of those for whom it is intended. They ensure that all children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning journey. n Overall, children have opportunities to develop their independence. Staff teach

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need to do better?

them how to put on and take off their coats, and encourage them to open packets from their lunch boxes. Opportunities such as these help children to develop the skills needed in readiness for school. At times, staff do not encourage children to complete things for themselves, including independently putting on dressing-up clothes and selecting their own fruit at snack time. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents are extremely complimentary about the staff and value their commitment to ensuring that their children are safe and well cared for. Staff have successful systems in place to communicate with parents. They send regular updates about the children's day and share practical ideas to support learning at home. There is an effective two-way flow of information to help provide a consistent approach to the support that children receive.

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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 support staff to better recognise and make more effective use of spontaneous opportunities to extend and challenge children's learning during their chosen play n support staff in using every opportunity to consistently promote children's independence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2673202 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10344264 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person St Michael's Family Centre Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01553770439 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

St Michael's Family Centre (St Clements Site) registered in 2022 and is located in King's Lynn, Norfolk. The nursery employs three members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. This includes one senior leader with early years teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Thursday, 8.45am until 3pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 and the inspector discussed how the nursery organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 joint observation of an activity with the manager to assess the quality of teaching.

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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

4 July 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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