St. Charles' Catholic Pre- School

Inspection of St. Charles' Catholic Pre- School Bosworth Road, Measham, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE12 7LQ

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 benefit from the warm and welcoming environment that the staff have created. Staff get to know children well and form positive relationships with them. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure when they seek out staff for support or comfort.

p.2

The provision is good

Children confidently explore a range of well-planned indoor and outdoor activities that encourage physical development and experimentation. For example, they play on large climbing equipment, create pretend vehicles with tyres and crates, and explore painting using both brushes and their hands. These experiences help children build confidence and curiosity.

p.2

The provision is good

Children learn to behave well and respond positively to staff's guidance. When toys are thrown in the garden, gentle reminders are offered. Staff then set up a beanbag throwing game, skilfully redirecting children's energy. Through these actions, boundaries are reinforced, and a safe, calm environment is maintained.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management team is passionate about getting it right for all children. They ensure that the curriculum is well planned. Experiences are planned daily based on children's current interests and their next steps in learning. Staff are skilful at engaging children and extending their understanding in the moment, both indoors and outdoors. n Staff promote children's communication and language development. Children are supported in developing confident speaking skills and encouraged to talk to each other during play. During lunchtime, staff sit with the children and have conversations about their home lives. This supports language development. n Children access a cosy reading shed outside. Staff sit with the children and read aloud chosen stories. Additionally, staff encourage children to take books home to share with their parents. Therefore, children develop early literacy skills and a love of books both at pre-school and at home.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children display high levels of well-being and involvement. Staff plan the environment to promote children's play ideas and extend their learning. For example, as children play imaginatively with small-world figures, they independently access a box of construction items to create pretend houses. n Staff support children's independence throughout the day. Children learn to pour their own drinks. Staff encourage them to try to open their lunch packaging while offering the correct level of support to those who need it. n Children make good progress. Staff are quick to identify if children need additional support and put strategies in place to help them. Visual timetables are used to help children understand the daily routines and what is happening next.

p.2

need to do better?

11 September 2025 Staff use early years pupil premium funding money purposefully to help children experience different learning opportunities. n Staff respect and celebrate children's differences. They build children's self- esteem and help them to develop a sense of self. However, staff do not consistently ensure that children who speak English as an additional language have the same opportunities to hear their home language during play. n Overall, staff promote healthy lifestyles. They provide different fruits for snacks and encourage children to dance to music outside, moving their bodies. However, children are encouraged to bring juice to drink from home, which results in oral health not being promoted as well. n Staff confirm they feel supported by the management team. They receive regular supervision, where they are encouraged to discuss any concerns, strengths and areas for improvement. Staff undertake training to enhance their

p.2

need to do better?

knowledge and skills. n Parent partnerships are strong. Parents comment that staff are amazing and always so supportive. Parents new to the setting praise staff for their excellent support during the settling-in process. Staff use an online app to update parents regarding children's activities and to share photos. This enables parents to see what their children have done that day and helps them to feel included.

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 strengthen opportunities for children to hear and use their home language during play and learning n enhance ways to support children's good health, particularly with regard to drinks available.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 226235 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10408350 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person St. Charles' Catholic Pre-School Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01530 515284 Date of previous inspection 31 January 2020

p.4

Information about this early years setting

St Charles' Catholic Pre-School registered in 1982 and is located in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 3 and 4. The manager has a foundation degree in Children and Young People's Services. The pre-school is open from Monday to Friday, from 8.50am to 3.20pm, term time only. The pre- school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 The children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during lunchtime. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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

11 September 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.

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