Four Corners Pre-School

Four Corners Pre-School Cuffley Free Church, King James Avenue, Cuffley, POTTERS BAR, Hertfordshire, EN6 4LP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 January 2017 14 May 2013

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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 sometimes do not use the information gained from their observations of children's learning to accurately assess children's age and stage of development. They do not consistently identify where children can be challenged further or where they require additional support. Staff working with younger children do not always understand the expectation to focus on the prime areas of learning.  The arrangements for performance management do not provide staff with effective coaching and training to develop their skills or deliver consistently good teaching.  Children who attend the morning sessions have limited opportunities to take part in planned, outdoor activities each term to help promote their good health.

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It has the following strengths

 The provider and management team are working hard to improve. They have identified some areas for development. For example, the management team are currently reviewing their planning, as part of offering a suitable balance of adult-led and child- initiated activities.  Children behave well. Staff use simple, consistent boundaries to ensure children are aware of their expectations and learn to be kind to others and share the resources.  Children show precision when using their small-muscle skills. They use glue to place shapes onto their designs and tweezers to move small, soft balls between plates.  Parents are very happy with the care provided and wholeheartedly recommend the pre- school to others. They say that all the staff are warm, kind and really care about their children. Staff welcome the views of parents and provide flexibility in the hours that children attend.

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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 more effective use of ongoing observations to consistently assess children's individual levels of achievement and then shape learning experiences for each child 07/03/2017

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Due Date

 ensure staff working with the youngest children focus strongly on the three prime areas of learning to form the basis of successful future progress 07/03/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that staff are supported through supervision to receive coaching and training to develop their skills and deliver a consistently good quality of teaching 07/03/2017

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Due Date

 ensure outdoor activities are planned for all children attending and taken on a daily basis where appropriate. 07/03/2017

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager and had discussions with the provider and registered individual. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussions on the day and comments made within children's learning records.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff hold a valid first-aid qualification and have a good knowledge of child protection issues. Effective systems of induction ensure all staff are aware of their responsibility to protect children and the procedures to follow if they have any concerns. The management team holds regular supervision and appraisal meetings with staff. However, although they recognise there are weaknesses in staff practice, these have not been effectively addressed through coaching and training. Arrangements for performance management have not been used regularly or successfully to develop staff skills or help them to deliver a consistently good quality of teaching. Staff have developed links with the local primary schools and invite them in to visit the older children. This helps to prepare them for future learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff regularly observe children and identify some next steps in their learning. However, at times, the assessments they complete do not accurately reflect each child's age and stage of development. As a result, the current activities and experiences staff provide do not challenge children in all areas of their learning. Nonetheless, children enjoy free play when they first arrive and choose from a range of available activities. They invite staff to join in with their role play and use their imagination to work at a pretend diner, taking food orders. Children revel in staff's praise for their achievements and are keen to talk to adults and children about their creations. However, staff place a high focus on promoting young children's mathematical skills, such as their recognition of shapes and colours. They do not always seem aware of the expectation to focus on the prime areas to help secure the foundations for future learning. Staff do not always reshape planned activities to respond

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

to children's needs as they become restless and move away to play in other areas.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Staff work closely with parents and know how to comfort new children who are upset. Staff often determine each child's key person as the adult whom children develop an attachment to. This helps to support children's emotional well-being as they settle into the pre-school. Staff make some provision for children to learn about healthy lifestyles. They encourage children to try new tastes and ensure they take part in daily physical activity. Children chase balls around the hall and throw them to their friends. They carefully maintain their balance as they walk along apparatus and enjoy dancing to popular music. However, while staff plan walks in the local area during some afternoon sessions, they have not been proactive in sourcing other ways to plan regular outdoor activities. Children attending the morning sessions have limited opportunities to access fresh air.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

The weaknesses in staff's assessments mean that children are not consistently supported to make good progress in all areas of learning. Children acquire some of the basic skills they need in readiness for school. They recognise the letters of their name, develop pencil control and listen to instruction well. Children are beginning to manage their own personal needs. They know to wash their hands before mealtimes and after they use the toilet.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY453919 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1066368 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person 2 to 5 Early Years Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 14 May 2013 Telephone number 07947438232

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reference number

Four Corners Pre-School was registered in 2012 and is one of two provisions owned by 2 to 5 Early Years Ltd. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold a qualification at level 3 or above. The pre-school operates Monday to Friday, during term time. Opening times are from 9.15am to 12.15pm, with a daily lunch club from 12.15pm to 1.15pm, except on a Tuesday. Afternoon and all day sessions are available on Wednesday and Thursday when the pre-school opens from 9.15am until 3.30pm. The pre-school is registered to provide 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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