Dollymixtures Pre-School

Dollymixtures Pre-School Methodist Church Hall, Middlefield Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 9ED

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 March 2016 16 September 2011

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 Staff do not consistently use their assessment of children to effectively plan activities which challenge children and support their progress.  Children are not always supported in their play and learning. Teaching is inconsistent and some children are not effectively challenged. Sometimes, children wander amongst the activities without aim or purpose.  Managers do not reflect and monitor staff practice effectively enough to set high expectations and continually improve outcomes for children.

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It has the following strengths

 Children arrive happily and they make friends with other children. They learn to share, take turns and become independent in their own self-care.  Parents say the pre-school is very friendly and welcoming. They are happy with the care their children receive and they enjoy their time there.  Staff are vigilant and are deployed effectively to ensure children are safe at all times.  Staff regularly update their mandatory training. They are familiar with the most recent safeguarding and first-aid guidelines.

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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

 make better use of assessments and what is known about each child to plan activities so that children's emerging needs and interests are met 25/04/2016

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Due Date

 help staff to improve teaching to support children's play and engage them more effectively in their learning. 25/04/2016

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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

 make more use of opportunities to reflect on practice to build and sustain improvements in staff practice.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed teaching and the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke to members of staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school owners.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector looked at a selection of children's records, planning documentation, evidence of the suitability of staff and a selection of other documentation, including policies and procedures.  The inspector and owner jointly observed and discussed staff practice.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The pre-school leaders and managers implement the safeguarding and welfare requirements successfully. Safeguarding is effective. However, teaching is not yet having enough impact on children's learning. Leaders, managers and staff check and review the quality of their practice and children's progress. However, the information gained is not yet used to effectively improve teaching, drive improvement and expectations. Information about children's progress is appropriately shared with parents, carers and other settings.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

All staff are appropriately qualified in early years but teaching is inconsistent. The activities and routines on offer do not always provide sufficient challenge to enable children to make good progress. For example, very young children are not consistently engaged in activities. Staff do not provide enough encouragement and direction to attract their attention and spark their interest. Older children sometimes lose interest in activities because they are not regularly challenged. Children's skill and abilities are checked against typical expectations for their age. Staff use this information to close gaps in their provision by providing more activities and resources, for example, in mathematics. However, staff do not always make good use of what they know about children to plan activities which meet their emerging needs. Nevertheless, staff do get involved in children's play and talk with them. They make use of some activities to introduce new words and improve

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Care practices are effective. Children display age-appropriate levels of independence and self-confidence. Staff have formed effective bonds and attachments with the children. This means that children's emotional well-being is supported as staff freely give the children the affection and comfort they need. Children benefit from regular physical activities both indoors and outside. They confidently climb the slide, manoeuvre wheeled toys and pedal bikes and cars with skill. Staff quietly remind children about any unacceptable behaviour, which enables children to learn and respect boundaries. Staff react quickly and calmly to any accidents or incidents. This means that children receive the comfort or first-aid treatment they need in a reassuring way.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Most children demonstrate the skills and abilities expected for their typical age. However, some of the youngest and eldest children do not always receive individually tailored plans and activities that meet their needs and promote curiosity and enthusiasm. Children are developing the key skills to aid their move on to nursery and school. Children choose activities which they enjoy, such as dressing up and cooking. The talk about what they are doing and happily join in with singing and dancing.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY269836 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 860741 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 35 Name of provider Betty Jones & Susan Male Partnership Date of previous inspection 16 September 2011 Telephone number 01992 461426AM

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Setting details

Dollymixtures Pre-School was registered in 2003. The pre-school employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during school term times. Sessions are from 9.30am until 12 noon and from 12 noon until 2.30pm. 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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