Preschool ‘good’ again after new inspection
OFSTED PREVIOUSLY RATED IT AS ‘INADEQUATE’
A LINCOLN preschool has managed to rescue itself from an ‘inadequate’ rating after previously being slammed for issues with leadership and safeguarding.
The Bailgate Preschool Playgroup, in the Methodist Church in Lincoln’s historic Bailgate, was graded ‘ good’ in its most recent Ofsted inspection, published on December 8.
The school, which looks after 19 early-years pupils currently, fared poorly when Ofsted inspectors visited in June this year.
Their report, published in July, found that the preschool’s Ofsted registration certificate was not available for parents on request, nor did it meet all of the safeguarding and welfare requirements.
At the time, Adam Firth, the chairman of the voluntary committee of trustees, blamed the low rating on two missing pieces of paperwork.
He said: “The two areas in which we regrettably received an inadequate rating were owing to two missing pieces of paperwork. These pieces of paperwork are now in place.
“We now look forward to our reinspection in the next six months, where we can hopefully receive a rating that offers a true reflection of our preschool.”
Ofsted returned in November and found the school’s leaders had improved on the previous failings.
Information required by statute was displayed clearly and the he inspector was able to properly ly check the suitability of those in charge, which was not the case in June. Overall, the follow-up report rt is positive.
Staff are said to be supportive of children taking ‘measured risks’ in their play and effective rules and nd boundaries in place to keep chilildren safe.
The children also benefit from the ‘attentive’ staff using their ongooing professional training to better er their teaching, the inspector said.
Safeguarding at the school was as also praised. Staff ‘act promptly’ to protect children from harm and implement ‘robust risk assessments’ before outings. They are also all trained in first aid.
Parents’ reviews of the school and
mstaff are positive, the inspector added. Going forward, Ofsted suggested the school ‘clearly defines’ the staff’s roles and responsibilities during transitions to reduce waiting times for children and subsequently allow them to keep focused on learning.
Snooker player Steven Hallworth and fiancée Susannah Eyles, 25