Delight as Phase 5 pre-school has turn-around in Ofsted grade

Last year Phase Five Pre-School, which is for three to four-year-olds, received a requires improvement grade. 

Located at its site on Kelston Close, this rating was given despite the good rating which its setting for two to three year olds at St Nicholas Church Hall in Abbotswood received around a similar time. 

At the time members from Phase Five questioned why the two sites received wildly different reports as they have the same management team, policies and procedures across both sites. 

Nonetheless, inspectors visited the pre-school setting, which at the time of the visit had 33 children between 3 and 4 years of age, on Thursday, January 11, transforming the result from requires improvement to good. 

All four categories were also rated as good -  the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes,  personal development plus Leadership and management. 

Inspectors said: "The manager has made significant changes to the way staff plan and implement the curriculum following the last inspection.

"All staff have been involved in training and putting the changes into practice. 

"They ensure children receive ambitious sequenced learning experiences that build effectively on what children already know and can do.

"They recognise when there are gaps in the curriculum and individual children's development so they can put in place support to close them.

"All children, including those with special educational needs/and or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points.

"Staff prepare children well for the move into school. 

"Partnership with parents is strong.

"Parents comment that they receive plenty of information about their children's achievements. 

"Staff act as good role models. 

"The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

"There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first."

In order to improve, inspectors said: "The provider should ensure staff are aware of all children and not just those they are working with one to one or in small groups to make sure children receive consistent support to manage risks.

"Make sure staff include quieter children more effectively to enhance learning and development opportunities"

Katie Smoothy, manager, said: "We are all so happy to finally be able to announce our rating of good.

"We have all worked so hard this past year to make changes to our curriculum and enhance the learning opportunities for our children."