Norton St Philip Pre School

Inspection of Norton St Philip Pre School Church Street, Norton St. Philip, BATH BA2 7LU

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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 conscientiously outline their curriculum. The close-knit team of staff work well together to form their observations and assessments of children's development into next steps in their learning. Staff outline targeted opportunities for children. They usefully offer children different ways to extend their skills and differentiate for the younger and older children to ensure that they are challenged specifically and effectively. For example, younger children have great fun making marks with chalks outside on the paving. Staff inspire them skilfully as they draw items and discuss these. Children develop their hand strength effectively as they squash and squeeze play dough and use different tools to form and cut it. Older children explore early writing, forming letters of their names, and staff give them effective tips for their success. Children's curiosity is fostered and channelled very well in carefully

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The provision is good

thought-out activities. They place items in buckets on large scales, fascinated to see the effects they create as the buckets move. Staff help them explore mathematics concepts, such as counting, quantity and capacity, extending children's thinking and investigation as they encourage children to work out how to make the scales level.

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The provision is good

Staff are very caring and patient. Children warm to them readily and build strong bonds with them. Children are sensitively and attentively supported. They are quickly reassured with a hug if they are upset, and they happily join staff in completing a puzzle, forgetting about their little worry.

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need to do better?

n Staff place a strong focus on helping children gain the skills they will need for their move on to school. They patiently take time within the routines of the day to maximise the opportunities to develop children's independence. Children pour their own drinks, peel their fruit and open packets themselves at mealtimes. Staff skilfully encourage them to persevere, giving them tips for their success. Children are very proud of their achievements and show positive attitudes to learning. n Staff listen to children, giving them time to put their thoughts into words. They are interested in what children have to say and extend their skills with further discussion. Staff offer explanations, key words and correct pronunciations to extend children's communication and language skills very effectively. This includes children who speak more than one language. n Children have lots of opportunity to be active in the fresh air. They develop their

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need to do better?

physical skills on the equipment in the garden. They learn about growing plants and water these conscientiously, building their interest in the natural world. Staff also take the children out on walks around the village, supporting their understanding of their local community.

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need to do better?

15 May 2025 n Staff share information with parents about children's day at the pre-school. They hold parents' evenings periodically to discuss children's development and offer extra meetings and chats if needed to support any additional needs children's have. However, they do not regularly share children's changing next steps with parents to help support children's learning at home even further. Staff liaise with the school on site to support children's move on to school, and they have forged some links with other settings the children currently attend. However, they are not gaining as much information as possible to inform their future planning and to help support a consistent approach for the children. n Staff offer very clear explanations and reminders to children, helping their understanding and cooperation. Staff promote a calm atmosphere at the pre- school. Children learn how to adapt their behaviour appropriately, such as to

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need to do better?

have 'indoor voices'. Older children thoughtfully share their play dough with the younger ones. They stop their bikes when their friend loses a shoe, and they give them time to sort this before they zoom round again. n Staff build children's interest in books. Children enjoy snuggling with staff in the den outside and listening to stories staff read to them. Staff also encourage children to borrow books to take home to share with their family, beneficially promoting children's literacy at home. n The long-standing staff team is dedicated to providing the best it can for children and their families. Staff work cohesively and efficiently together to evaluate their effectiveness, continually outlining and enhancing their practice and provision.

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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 enhance partnership working, sharing information more regularly with parents and other settings the children attend to support a fully consistent approach to progressing children's skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY266916 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10388409 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 14 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Norton St Phillip Pre School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01373 834 628 Date of previous inspection 10 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Norton St Philip Pre School registered in 2003. It is located in in the grounds of Norton St Phillip Church of England First School, near Bath. It operates from 8.45am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during school term times only. There are five members of staff. The manager has early years professional status, three other staff hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 and one holds a qualification at level 2. The setting provides government funded places.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed all areas and discussed with the manager and deputy manager how these areas are used. n The manager and the inspector evaluated the effectiveness of an activity together. n The inspector observed the children and staff and spoke with them at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector discussed the leadership and management of the pre-school with the manager and deputy manager. n Parents shared their views of the provision with the inspector. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including suitability checks and paediatric first-aid qualifications. n The manager discussed their safety and child protection procedures, and the inspector held safeguarding discussions with members of the staff team.

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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

15 May 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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