St Clare’s Pre-School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children receive an exceptional early years experience at this inspirational pre-school.

They arrive with excitement and receive an incredibly warm and friendly welcome by the staff. The children's confidence shines through as they readily follow the daily routines and make independent choices about their play. Staff are highly engaging and enthusiastic teachers.

They create exciting activities that spark children's curiosity and inquisitive interest to learn and play. Children have outstanding behaviour. Staff implement clear structures and boundaries that the children respond to extremely well.

Childr...en share and take turns with ease, demonstrating their polite and respectful nature. For instance, when riding bicycles outside, children tell staff which colour bicycle they would like to ride on next. Staff note this on a board and use a stop watch to alert the children when their turn is over.

Children happily get off their bicycles and hand them to their peers, exchanging polite and supportive conversation as they do. Children are extremely motivated and eager to learn. This is because the staff are highly skilled teachers, who expertly support each individual child.

Children delight in playing with their peers and teachers alike. They communicate in an excellent way and create elaborate play ideas. Children and staff form wonderful attachments.

They roar with laughter together and cuddle up to listen to stories. Children feel extremely safe and secure at this pre-school.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

Teaching is outstanding.

Leaders nurture the staff and their individual strengths, ensuring they regularly receive high-quality training and development. Staff have their own unique teaching styles and approaches which complement each other. Some are energetic and enthusiastic while others are calm and nurturing, yet,they all provide children with exceptional teaching and learning.

Children are making fantastic progress. Staff are highly knowledgeable about child development and learning. They make precise and accurate assessments about children's progress and expertly target their next steps in learning.

Staff are confident teachers and enhance children's learning in the moment. For example, while playing outside on bicycles, staff encourage role play of road safety, to enhance children's understanding about keeping themselves safe.Leaders are inspirational.

They have a clear and ambitious vision for their setting that is inclusive for all children and their families. This motivation and passion is also instilled in the staff who all work exceptionally well together. As a result, children receive a fantastic start to their education and are well prepared for their next stages in learning.

The pre-school provides incredible support for children with additional needs.Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are making wonderful progress. This is due to the dedication and exceptional knowledge that the staff have.

They work closely with other professionals and parents to ensure the children receive the best support possible. Leaders prioritise training for staff that will enhance their knowledge and have a positive impact on the children. For instance, all staff recently undertook training in autism and have implemented effectively new resources and teaching methods to support the children to the highest level.

Partnerships with parents are exemplary. Staff and leaders ensure parents receive extensive support and guidance whenever necessary. Parents are kept fully informed about their children's progress and staff work alongside them sharing information regularly.

Parents commend the pre-school and describe the setting as 'phenomenal' and 'amazing'.Leaders and staff recognise the importance of children's early language and literacy development. They ensure children have access to a vast array of books, which they explore with interest throughout the day.

Staff read to the children in groups and individually, which encourages their love of reading. Children have opportunities to select books from the pre-school's in-house library system to take home and read with their families. They also regularly visit the local library on outings too.

Staff go out of their way to ensure children are given opportunities and experiences they may not otherwise have access to. For instance, they plan regular outings to local attractions, such as historic dock yards and Portchester Castle. Staff also arrange for professionals to visit the pre-school, including the police, the ambulance and health services.

Children are developing excellent knowledge to support their future learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The managers are highly experienced in child protection procedures.

They ensure all staff receive in-depth training which results in their comprehensive understanding about safeguarding children. Staff are confident at recognising the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. Staff are vigilant in reporting any concerns, and managers work closely with outside professionals.

Promoting children's safety and welfare is given the highest priority. Managers have robust recruitment procedures and ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff are deployed effectively to ensure children remain safe at all times.

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