Old London Road Pre-School

Old London Road Pre- School 4th St Albans Scout Hut, Riverside Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1ST

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 March 2015 24 January 2011

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

p.1

This provision is outstanding

 Staff start and maintain rigorous assessments of children's skills and assertively plan for their next steps in learning. They expertly involve parents in children's education. Therefore, children fully benefit from continuous support in their learning.  Teaching is outstanding because staff plan very interesting activities for children. For example, children develop their pre-writing skills by handling small objects with tweezers and use their senses while using tools to remove herbs from ice blocks. They are challenged and persist with interest.  Staff are very welcoming and display strong bonds with children and their parents. They skilfully organise informative and flexible settling-in sessions for children and parents to familiarise themselves with the pre-school. As a result, children are happy and settle exceptionally well.  Staff skilfully introduce children to healthy lifestyles and provide them with nutritious

p.1

This provision is outstanding

snacks and outstanding experiences outside. They plan daily exercise sessions and children actively develop their physical skills. For example, staff hide water buckets and paintbrushes behind trees that the children find and use to paint on different surfaces.  Staff participate in child protection training and have excellent knowledge of the steps to take to safeguard children. There are highly qualified and experienced designated people to lead safeguarding, behaviour management and first-aid practice. They effectively guide staff to ensure children are safe, protected and their needs are met at all times.  The manager is inspirational and passionate about educating and caring for children. She maintains a strong culture of reflective practice that involves parents, staff, children and local authorities. Therefore, children's outcomes are highly promoted.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance the already inclusive practice by providing children with even more multi- cultural resources, such as books, toys and songs, in their home language to promote their individualities even further.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and children at play and conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector interacted with children and spoke with staff during the inspection.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including policies, the self-evaluation form, evidence of staff's suitability checks and safeguarding procedures.  The inspector looked at children's assessment and planning records.  The inspector had a tour of both indoor and outdoor play areas.  The inspector sought parents' views through discussions on the day of the inspection and through written feedback in questionnaires.

p.2

who attend. This is outstanding

Staff expertly meet the learning and development requirements. They have great knowledge of children's needs and interests and very effectively support their development across all areas of learning. For example, children play 'hairdressers'. They design hairstyles and discuss technology, as they learn about how hairdryers work. Staff astutely monitor children's progress and effortlessly support their needs. For example, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities greatly benefit from accurate assessments of their needs and strong links with parents and outside agencies. Staff support children who speak English as an additional language. They use words in children's home language to communicate with them and teach them vocabulary in English. However, there is scope to further enrich the already very inclusive learning environment with more multi-cultural resources to promote children's cultural backgrounds

p.3

who attend. This is outstanding

even further. All children are highly motivated to learn and develop their skills exceedingly well. Consequently, they master the skills they will need to be successful in their learning at school.

p.3

outstanding

Care practice is exemplary because the key-person system is exceptional. Key staff exchange ongoing information with parents about children's needs. They carefully organise the environment, activities, meals and routines to suit all children. As a result, their well-being is promoted exceedingly well. Children sociably play and interact with adults and peers. For example, older children skilfully teach younger children about the life cycle of plants during a nature walk. Staff astutely support children to manage their own needs and children are independent. For example, they wash their hands, use the toilet and help staff to tidy up. Staff work with parents to manage behaviour issues and children's behaviour is impressive. They learn to keep safe and to listen. For example, children participate in a project and learn about traffic signs and road safety. Staff boost children's self-esteem through praise and positive encouragement. Therefore, they are

p.3

outstanding

confident, especially before they move on to school.

p.3

provision is outstanding

The manager conducts a thorough induction with parents and staff, so they understand policies, procedures and the Early Years Foundation Stage. This promotes the excellent management of the pre-school. Recruitment procedures are robust and staff have regular suitability checks. They participate in training to continuously enhance their expertise and implement new ideas for children. Staff effectively risk assess the play areas and, subsequently, children play and explore in safety. The manager conducts regular staff supervision meetings, skilfully coaches practice and supports their continuous professional development. Staff are very knowledgeable and confident in their roles and responsibilities. For example, they confidently conduct the progress check for children aged between two and three years, and immediately act upon any concerns. Consequently, all children are supported to achieve their full potential.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 123649 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 874764

p.5

Type of provision

Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 78 Name of provider Old London Road Pre-School Committee Date of previous inspection 24 January 2011 Telephone number 01727 865 249

p.5

Type of provision

The Old London Road Pre-School was registered in 1999. The pre-school employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 to 3, including one with Early Years Professional status, one with Qualified Teacher Status and one who is a qualified paediatric nurse. Sessions are Monday to Thursday, from 9.15am to 3pm, and Friday, from 9.15am to 2.30pm, term time only. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Type of provision

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.5

Type of provision

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.5

Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.6

Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.6