A STAPLE Hill pre-school is making improvements after a visit from Ofsted.
Little Sheep Pre-school, based at Staple Hill Methodist Church on the High Street, was inspected in February.
The regulator said the pre-school requires improvement in all areas, and leaders need to develop the planning and delivery of the curriculum, improve the organisation of snack and lunchtimes and provide more support and coaching to staff, to improve the quality of teaching.
Inspector Rebecca Martin found many positives in her report.
She said the pre-school’s 22 children, aged between two and four, are happy and keen to attend. Staff enable them to “quickly build the confidence to explore and play independently”.
The inspector said the curriculum built key skills, helping children think for themselves.
Staff also focus on communication and language skills, with children who speak English as an additional language learning words in their own languages and English.
The inspector said: “Children develop a love of books and an interest in the print around them. Staff read stories using lively and engaging voices.”
The report said staff have “high expectations for children’s behaviour”, adding: “They support children to understand the consequences of their actions and the impact on others.”
Regular trips out into the community help build children’s confidence.
Good communication with parents was also highlighted.
The inspector said: “Parents say they feel supported and confident to chat to staff if they had any concerns about their child.”
However, the report said the pre-school’s curriculum did not meet all children’s needs.
The inspector said: “The quality and number of interactions and support offered for younger children is not consistent. Progress for these children is not as swift as it could be.”
She said that although children learn about healthy daily routines and have nutritional foods, some younger children don’t eat or drink regularly and become unsettled, and outdoor activities were not thought through.
The inspector said that when weaknesses in staff practice were identified, relevant training “is not put in place quickly enough”.
Little Sheep Pre-school is run by a volunteer committee, with four paid and qualified staff, including a manager.
Committee chair Philippa Powell said: “The committee feel that the report was a fair one, as it reflects what was seen on just one day and is only a snapshot of daily life in our preschool. However, it is not an accurate picture of our preschool’s overall practice.
“We have many children with special educational needs or disabilities, and also children with English as a second language.
“We were at the time waiting on an inclusion funding request for one of our new SEND starters. This child has now received the funding and has a daily one-to-one.
“We also have improved our planning of the curriculum, which is uniquely now specific and supports the needs of the younger children, as well as the preschool children.
“We have implemented a two-fold curriculum to address the needs of the different age groups, and a member of staff oversees this planning and that it is implemented.
“All staff are adding to Continuing Professional Development and attending extra training for the needs of our SEND children.”