S4YC @ St Mary's Preschool & Out of School Club

Inspection of S4YC @ St Mary's Preschool & Out of School Club Halton St. Marys C Of E Primary School, Castlefields Avenue South, Castlefields, Runcorn WA7 2NR

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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

Staff welcome children with warmth and enthusiasm. Children arrive happily and separate well from parents and carers. They quickly settle and are confident learners. Children choose where to play and who to play with. They are curious as they explore the wide range of resources available to them.

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The provision is good

Overall, staff implement the curriculum effectively, taking into consideration children's individual learning needs. Children make good progress in their learning. Staff plan an exciting range of interesting activities and experiences for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They provide an array of outdoor activities that support children's physical development. This includes regular sports sessions and going on insect hunts. Staff involve children in gardening. Children take an active interest as they collect the fallen leaves. They marvel when they find a worm and find a safe place to rehome it. This helps to enhance children's understanding of the world around them.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. Staff act as positive role models. Children help to tidy away toys and sit down at the table at mealtimes. They learn to be independent as they complete daily routine tasks. Staff encourage them to try to do things for themselves, such as managing their personal care needs. For example, all children learn how to wash their hands before lunch.

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need to do better?

n The provider values the importance of supporting staff in their professional development highly. Staff regularly undertake purposeful training that has a positive impact on children's care and learning. For example, staff have accessed specific communication and language training. This allows them to more effectively support children who may be at risk of falling behind. As a result, staff ensure that any children who may be at risk receive swift intervention in order to make continued good progress. n Overall, staff plan learning that enables their key children to build on their knowledge and skills. They review children's learning and complete the required assessments, such as the progress check for children aged between two and three years. However, some staff do not always ensure that the essential skills they wish children to learn are taught in the correct sequence. This means that, on occasion, children's learning is not precisely sequenced to support them to

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need to do better?

build upon what they already know and can do. n Staff use a variety of ways to support and develop children's communication and language skills. For example, staff use sign language and visual prompts to enhance language development. However, on occasion, when asking children questions, staff do not give children the time they need to think and respond.

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need to do better?

8 November 2024 On these occasions, children do not have opportunity to effectively practise their speaking skills. Nonetheless, children communicate well and share their wants and needs. n All staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure all children, including those with SEND, make the best possible progress. Any additional funding that the setting receives is used to meet individual needs and enhance outcomes for children effectively. n Staff teach children about helping other people. They support community projects by organising sponsored walks and donate funds raised to a local charity. Staff use these opportunities to teach children about sharing and being kind to others. This helps children to develop a sense of the community in which they live and to learn about the lives of others. n Children enjoy learning about nature and the world around them. Staff encourage children to become responsible citizens and prepare them for life in

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need to do better?

modern Britain. For example, children go on litter picks where they carefully pick up litter. Children learn to separate their food waste into what can be composted and recycled. Staff provide opportunities for children to recycle food waste, observe nature and grow plants. This gives children a sense of responsibility and teaches them how to care for their environment. n Partnerships with parents are a strength at the nursery. Staff regularly share information in a variety of ways. Staff communicate with parents daily and share general information on an online app. They invite parents to join their library sessions and parents' evenings. Staff send home story sacks and learning packs for children to enjoy at home. As a result, parents can continue to build on children's learning at home.

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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 recognise the sequence of learning to ensure that it is more focused on each child's individual learning n provide children with more time to think and respond to questions asked, to support their communication and language development further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2692938 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10360185 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 48 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person S4YC Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07814389469 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

S4YC @ St Mary's Preschool & Out of School Club registered in 2022 and is located in Runcorn. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, three staff hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Staff spoke with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. 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 several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation.

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Inspection activities

8 November 2024 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

8 November 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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