A nursery school in Swinton has received an across-the-board "good" rating following an inspection. Ofsted officials visited the 32-place St Luke's Pre-School on May 6 and concluded that its overall effectiveness was "good".
The assessment was the same for the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management. However, there were three areas where the facility, based at St Luke's Parish Centre on Swinton Park Road, needs to improve.
Staff need to "ensure the curriculum meets the needs of all of the children at group times", and provide opportunities for them to learn about different cultures, religions and faiths and support children to develop their self-care [toileting] skills. In her report, inspector Yvonne Glaister wrote: "Children arrive at the pre-school with a big smile on their face and are happy to leave their parents.
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"They are greeted at the door by friendly staff. This helps the children to feel safe and secure at the pre-school. Children move around the indoor and outdoor environment, independently making choices about where they would like to play.
"They squeal with delight in the outdoor area as they blow and chase bubbles." She said that the manager and staff recognise the impact of Covid-19 on the communication skills of the children.
As a result, she said, they have designed their curriculum intent around promoting high-quality interactions with the children, she continued. Ms Glaister said children are provided with healthy snacks and wholesome meals, but added: "Staff do not help children to develop their self-care skills well enough.
"For example, children are not given appropriate cutlery to eat their lunch and often revert to using their fingers. Furthermore, staff do not have regular routines in place to support children's toilet training."
She said that leaders know their families and community well. They support the language development of the children who speak English as an additional language by including their home language within their teaching.
But she went on: "However, staff provide limited opportunities for children to learn about other cultures, religions and faiths other than Christianity." Meanwhile, arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
All staff demonstrate a secure knowledge and understanding of the policies, procedures and actions they need to keep children safe. "There is a rigorous recruitment process in place to ensure that staff who work with the children are suitable," said Ms Glaister.
All staff are trained in paediatric first aid and medical care plans are in place for children who require them, the report said. At the time of the inspection the nursery was looking after children aged between two and four.
It employs five members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at Level 3 and above. It opens from Tuesday to Friday, term time only with sessions running from 8am to 3.30pm.
