HEADLINE NEWS FROM SHERINGTON PRE-SCHOOL – AUGUST 2010

“Back up where we belong”

We are delighted to announce that following our recent return visit from the Oftsed inspector, that we have once more been awarded a Good grading. The staff and committee have worked tirelessly over the past six months to iron out the issues raised at our January 2010 inspection and this has clearly paid off with excellent results. The inspector was extremely impressed with the high standards achieved in a short time and left with the confidence that we will continue to develop our setting and enrich our children’s learning experiences.

Please watch this space for the imminent arrival of the inspector’s new report.

• Pre-school is inspected regularly by OFSTED.
   
 

• The last inspection was on 14 January 2010. You can read this report by either of the following links:
• Via the Ofsted website .
• Download as a PDF file.

 
• Previous inspections were held in 2006, 2004, 1999 and 1997, when various aspects of Pre-school's performance were graded as 'very good' or 'outstanding'. Details of these inspections are available as follows:
• Via the Pre-school website.
• Via the Sherington Pre-school index page on the Ofsted website .
• Download the December 2006 or February 2004 reports as PDF files.
   
• The next inspection is expected in July 2010.

  During our Ofsted inspection in January 2010 some issues were highlighted that have unfortunately resulted in us receiving an overall grading of “Inadequate”.

  In the main, an omission in the staff registration records was identified, and the inspector raised concerns over our compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

  We are very disappointed with this grading and even more so the excessive negativity contained in the inspector’s report, which does not reflect the verbal feedback given at the time of the inspection. The inspector told us that she was very impressed with how well we know our children, how it was evident that they were having fun and enjoying themselves as well as showing confidence and good self esteem. Recent feedback has also shown how totally happy our parents are with the care that we provide.

  We do however accept that we were not reflecting the Early Years Foundation Stage as the inspector wished to see it and now we have to work to improve our grading when the inspector returns in the summer. Although we have always been thorough with our planning and review processes, we are continuing to work with our Early Years Advisors and have put action plans in place to address all of the issues and make improvements that better reflect and embed the framework. The safety and happiness of our children is paramount to us always; and we are passionate in our commitment to recovering from this situation.

  We appreciate all the support from our current and past parents and look forward to providing an enjoyable and valuable Pre-School learning experience for your child. Before considering a different pre-school, please take a few minutes to read several recent testimonials provided by the parents of our current and previous children. We are confident that you will agree that these heart-felt yet positive opinions about Sherington Pre-school go a long way to cushioning the blow that Ofsted has dealt us.

  Please also refer to the statement from Sherington CE School, with whom we maintain close liaison.

  Thank you for your interest in Sherington Pre-school and please return to this site after our re-inspection in August 2010 when we will be back up where we rightfully belong.

  Kind regards

  Supervisors - Jo Tough and Kay Turrell
  Committee - Karon Sheen, Sharron Wright, Cheryl Dunkley, Wendy Austyn, Nicola Hemming and Colette Johnson