Heath Barn Preschool

Heath Barn Pre-school St. Leonards Heath & Reach VA Lower School, Thrift Road, Heath and Reach, LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Bedfordshire, LU7 0AX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 November 2015 11 November 2011

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The committee members who take responsibility for the pre-school have not fully complied with their legal responsibility to notify Ofsted about the appointment of new members. Therefore, Ofsted has not been able to carry out checks to confirm their suitability to lead the setting, which places children at risk.  There is a lack of organisation for supervising the work of all staff. This has led to the manager not having support and supervision in her role for a significant period of time.  Staff do not always give children opportunities to make choices and express preferences.  The information gathered from tracking progress made by groups of children is not used with best effect to support all children to make the best possible progress.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff provide good quality teaching and learning experiences for children. Activities are well matched to children's needs and offer them challenge and stimulation.  Staff include parents in children's learning and encourage their involvement in steering the pre-school and shaping its practice.  Staff place importance upon helping children to develop their literacy and mathematical skills in readiness for moving on to school. Resources are plentiful and creative, supporting children's interest in writing and counting.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure that new committee members provide all the required information to enable Ofsted to make a decision about their suitability for the role 31/12/2015

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Due Date

 implement a programme of supervision and support for all staff, including the manager. 31/12/2015

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 encourage more opportunities for children to become independent in making choices and expressing preferences  make better use of the information gained from tracking groups of children to support all children to make the best possible progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager, the chairperson and a further committee representative. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the pre-school self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre- school.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The committee which runs the pre-school has changed members. A lack of clear change- over procedures and insufficient knowledge of some requirements have caused a delay in checking the suitability of these people. The pre-school has not met its legal obligation to give Ofsted all required information relating to the appointment of new committee members and therefore appropriate suitability checks have not been carried out. As a result, arrangements for safeguarding children are not effective. Staff and committee members know their responsibilities for reporting any concerns about children's welfare to the relevant professionals. The information that staff gather by tracking the progress made by groups of children is not used with good effect to support all children to make the best possible progress. The manager carries out regular supervisions of staff work. However, the committee, which is responsible for the work of the pre-school, has not

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

carried out supervision of the manager's work for a significant period of time. Despite the lack of support and coaching, the manager is a motivated individual who has a high level of qualification and all staff attend regular training. This has meant that, regardless of the lack of monitoring by the leadership at the pre-school, teaching and learning have remained at a good standard for children. Staff work closely with other settings and the teachers from the local school

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are good teachers who care about their work. They provide creative activities and show their enthusiasm through their involvement in children's play. Group activities are very well led by staff. Every opportunity is taken to promote children's communication and language. Children develop into confident talkers who express their ideas clearly. Each member of staff knows the children individually and supports their next steps in learning effectively. The outdoor area is enticing and offers children a wealth of opportunities to develop their physical skills. Children talk with delight about 'dinosaur land' and role-play workshops. Staff build on children's interests and offer them further ideas and resources. Clear starting points and detailed observation and assessment track the consistently good progress that individual children make at the pre-school.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children's safety cannot be assured because the suitability of the committee members has not been confirmed. On occasion, staff do not give children opportunities to make choices and express preferences, for example, at snack time. Staff manage children's behaviour with a consistent and supportive approach. This helps children to understand what staff expect of them and the ways that they should behave. Children have free choice to come and go into the outdoors as they please. This supports children who prefer to learn outdoors. Staff cuddle children if they arrive at the pre-school and do not initially settle. Key people work with parents to help children to feel emotionally secure and ready for their learning. Staff provide thoughtful activities that help children to share their ideas and listen to each other. Children display confidence as they talk about things they like and what interests them.

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Outcomes for children are good

Staff support children to gain the skills that they need for starting school. Children make good progress in their learning and development from their individual starting points. The manager reviews the development of all children to help identify when they need extra support.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY426495 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 852687 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 43 Name of provider Heath Barn Pre-school Committee Date of previous inspection 11 November 2011 Telephone number 01525237172

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Setting details

Heath Barn Pre-school was registered in 2011. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including the manager who is a qualified early years teacher. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday. Sessions are from 9am until 12pm and 12pm until 3pm, term time only. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Setting details

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.

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Setting details

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.

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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

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