St Cuthberts Pre-School Playgroup

Inspection of St Cuthberts Pre-School Playgroup St Cuthberts Church Hall, Botanic Road, Southport, Merseyside PR9 7NN

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children settle exceptionally well at this inviting pre-school. Staff have created a special learning environment in which children are safe and secure. Children arrive keen and enthusiastic to learn new skills. Respect is a golden thread that weaves through this exceptional pre-school. Staff truly want the very best for every family. All parents and children are valued. Staff welcome parents. They offer support and guidance as needed. Staff expertly use children's interests along with what children need to learn next to plan exciting learning opportunities for the day ahead. Children are consistently engaged in meaningful learning. Staff help children to develop their knowledge of the local area and delight in nature as they walk to the park. There is an abundance of meaningful learning to prepare children for the next stage of their education.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff seize every opportunity to extend children's vocabulary. They read exciting stories, sing songs and engage children in meaningful conversations throughout the day. The quality of interactions is outstanding. This helps children develop new words and language structures. Staff have unwavering high expectations for all children. They are excellent role models who feel honoured to undertake their roles, which they do with enthusiasm and pride. Children create, learn to follow rules and understand how to keep themselves safe. Leaders recently noted gaps in the personal development of some children. As a result, staff have engaged in extensive professional development and created opportunities to work with parents to address any gaps in learning. The curriculum is specifically targeted to ensure all children are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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need to do better?

n Leadership is inspirational. Managers ensure focused evaluation, self-reflection and collaboration put the needs of children and their families at the heart of every decision. The professional development opportunities are targeted and focused on improving experiences for children. Staff identify their interests and strengths, and leaders source training opportunities that will directly benefit the children. Staff are highly skilled and knowledgeable. Their commitment ensures all children have the best possible chance to succeed. n Staff are extremely well supported to carry out their roles. They have access to focused supervision sessions. They seize opportunities to discuss their well-being and receive specific feedback to help improve their practice. As a result, teaching is consistently of the highest standard. This means children benefit from inspirational experiences. n Managers and staff are overwhelmingly committed to removing barriers that

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need to do better?

children face in learning. Staff complete thorough assessments of children's development. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive

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need to do better?

7 January 2025 focused and personalised support to help them succeed. Managers have created exceptional links with external professionals. They swiftly put interventions in place to ensure all children make excellent progress. n The ethos in the pre-school is based on respect and real care. Staff work tirelessly to ensure all children feel loved and valued. They want children to enjoy their time in the nursery. Staff give all children specific praise and encouragement. This helps children to develop an abundance of self-confidence as they believe that they are unique and special. n Staff seize every opportunity to help children learn new skills. Mealtimes are a social occasion. Children beam with pride as they put lunch boxes on each table. Independence is promoted. Staff sit and hold meaningful conversations with children as they eat. Children enjoy healthy food and discuss their lunch choices for that day. They are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their

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need to do better?

learning. n Children are enthralled by the inviting experiences on offer in the well-designed environment. The curriculum is planned to enrich the early experiences of every child. Children carry out acts of kindness as part of their everyday routine. They give each other compliments and readily help each other with routine tasks. These acts make others feel happy. Children develop high levels of self-esteem and essential skills to help them flourish. n Staff provide opportunities for children to develop exemplary and respectful attitudes. They regularly visit local shops and learn about people who help them. Staff create meaningful opportunities for children to celebrate significant cultural events. The provider goes to great lengths to ensure children have access to experiences that they may not otherwise get. Trips out to the zoo and the theatre help children learn about the wider world. Children have a wealth of

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need to do better?

positive early experiences. n Parents are overwhelmingly grateful for the support that staff offer them. Staff give their utmost priority to helping parents thrive. Parents are provided with useful information to help their children learn at home. They love the nursery library and appreciate the high-quality books on offer. This helps children and their families develop a real love of reading. n The provider ensures staff have opportunities to get to know parents exceptionally well. They use the views of parents to set up facilities to help families access guidance around financial and family support. Staff offer workshops for parents to access advice and guidance on topics such as toilet training and communication and language development. This caring approach makes a significant difference to the well-being of families.

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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 the children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 310478 Local authority Sefton Inspection number 10367322 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 35 Number of children on roll 50

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Name of registered person

St Cuthberts Pre-school Playgroup (Church Town)

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reference number

Telephone number 07875652248 Date of previous inspection 4 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

St Cuthbert's Pre-school Playgroup was registered in 1984. The setting is based in Southport, Merseyside and employs 12 staff, including the manager. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery operates term time only from 8am until 3.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. It opens from 8am until 1pm on a Thursday. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the deputy manager and the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The inspector spoke with parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

7 January 2025 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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