Mentmore Under Fives

Mentmore Under Fives The Pavillion, Mentmore Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 2NZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 November 2016 3 December 2012

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The committee members are all passionate about the success of the pre-school. Changes to the management have been implemented well and the supportive staff team has welcomed new members and enthusiastically taken on-board new approaches.  Parents feel included at the pre-school. They volunteer to help out at sessions and take part in decision making by joining the committee. Information is exchanged readily in a communication book and through informal discussions with staff each day.  Staff know children well. There are clear starting points for children and tracking effectively shows the good progress they make at the pre-school. Staff observe children and share information about what they need to learn next with the team. This contributes towards all staff knowing how to support children's learning well.  The staff are intuitive in their responses to children. The pre-school is a small group and staff know when to stand back and allow children to explore for themselves. Staff

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This provision is good

sit with children and engage positively with them as they support their learning.  Children are learning about fairness, democracy and rules. They vote for what activity they would like to have out to play with each day. Children put their magnetic star by the choice of toy they would like. This shows them how they can be part of making choices and decisions at the pre-school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 When children are reluctant to take part in activities to help increase their literacy skills, staff do not use their current interests and fascinations to engage them.  Relationships with other settings that children attend are not always well established. Staff do not always try alternative ways to share information about children's learning when initial methods are unsuccessful.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 increase opportunities for children to develop literacy skills as they explore their current interests and fascinations  strengthen the relationships with other settings that children attend to more effectively share information about children's learning.

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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 manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre- school.  The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are vigilant in supervising children to help keep them safe. They complete risk assessments to help maintain a safe environment for children. Staff practise emergency evacuations of the building with children on a regular basis. They ensure that the setting meets all fire prevention and detection regulations. Staff are aware of the work of their Local Safeguarding Children Board. The committee members and staff use self-evaluation as an effective way of reviewing the pre-school. They identify areas for development and, through targeted supervision meetings, decide the training needs of staff. This has supported the continuing good quality of care and education the pre-school provides for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children make good progress in their mathematical development. Staff find interesting ways to bring counting, colour recognition and understanding of measurement to life for children. They weigh out quantities and use mathematical language as they play. Children are creative and use their imagination as they role play. They enjoy playing in a pop-up tent where they talk about their ideas and create characters for themselves. Children talk about their experiences from home as they pretend to cook dinner and make cakes for staff.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The manager has introduced a new programme of learning outdoors using her qualification and knowledge of Forest School teaching. This has been beneficial in helping children to explore their local community and understand about the changing environment where they live. Children are confident and play together well. Behaviour is consistently good and children are starting to manage minor conflicts by themselves. Staff are excellent role models who show a great deal of warmth and affection for children they care for. Staff demonstrate fitness and activity routines. They lead music and movement sessions, which children eagerly follow. They recognise how exercise affects their bodies when they become thirsty and need a drink. Children settle well. Changes in staff have not disrupted the key-person relationships because all staff take time to get to know children and their families. The close working of the team and friendly approach of staff help

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

parents to feel included in supporting children to settle into pre-school life.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident talkers who express themselves well. Their developing awareness of how to behave socially helps them to assert their understanding of rules and their rights. They make good progress in their learning and development. Children are well prepared for starting school. They are developing into competent, independent individuals who are eager to learn new things and share their ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 219149 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 1059434 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 24 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Mentmore Road Under Fives Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 3 December 2012 Telephone number 07845 971542

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reference number

Mentmore Under Fives was registered in 1992. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The pre-school opens during term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 12.15pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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