Hallgrove Community Pre- School

Hallgrove Community Pre- School Care of Ludwick Family Club, Hall Grove, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 4PH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 March 2017 4 November 2013

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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3

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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

 Ofsted has not been notified of changes to the members of the pre-school committee.  Ongoing observations and assessments are not used effectively. Staff do not identify children's precise next steps in learning to inform the planning and teaching of suitably challenging activities for all children.  The manager does not use supervision meetings to effectively improve staff's knowledge, understanding and practice.  Staff do not always promote effective strategies to engage parents in their children's learning, both in the setting and at home.

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It has the following strengths

 Children's personal, social and emotional development are promoted well through regular praise and sensitive reassurance. Children develop strong bonds and attachments with the staff and demonstrate that they are happy and settled.  Children's physical development is effectively encouraged. Staff provide daily opportunities for them to enjoy fresh air and exercise. For example, children explore a variety of resources to support their large-muscle skills in the large hall or outside area.  Children's behaviour is managed very well. Staff are consistent in their approach to dealing with unsuitable behaviour. They support children through role modelling and discussion. This helps them to learn right from wrong.

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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

 improve the use of ongoing observations and assessments to identify children's next steps, inform planning and extend children's learning so they all make the best progress possible 28/04/2017

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Due Date

 implement effective supervision and monitoring of staff to identify inconsistent practice and training needs and use this to improve the quality of teaching. 28/04/2017

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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

 extend opportunities for sharing ideas and information with parents to further support their 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 spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and she viewed some children's observation and assessment records.  The inspector discussed staff practice and observed a number of interesting activities with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and staff team. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the setting's policies and procedures. She saw evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Ofsted has not been informed of changes made to the committee. However, the risk to children is minimal because existing committee members are staff and all staff have a relevant Disclosure and Barring Service check in place. This ensures that they are suitable to work with children. The manager does not carry out effective supervision meetings to support, coach and monitor staff practice. This means staff's professional development does not focus in improving teaching or the learning opportunities provided to children. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff demonstrate a suitable knowledge of the child protection policy and have attended safeguarding training. They know who to contact if they have concerns about children's welfare and the correct procedure to follow. Parents speak kindly of the staff team. However, staff do not support parents to extend their children's learning at home.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff complete some observations of children during their play but they do not use these to effectively assess where children are in their learning. Children's interests are incorporated into activities, which they enjoy taking part in. Staff do not identify children's precise next steps in learning to inform the planning and teaching of suitably challenging activities for all children. This means that staff do not have a secure knowledge and understanding of how to promote the learning and development of young children and what they can achieve. For example, some of the most able children are not effectively challenged. Children's imaginations are suitably encouraged. For example, children make up their own games and ideas as they explore different items in the water tray. They enjoy exploring paint and extend this further independently by painting on their hands and making handprints. Staff use this opportunity to talk about which hand is bigger. This

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

helps children to understand mathematical concepts, such as size.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children learn about healthy lifestyles and are regular helpers with the organisation of snacktime. Their independence is encouraged as staff support them to peel, cut and prepare fruit for their friends. Staff talk to children about healthy food and how this contributes to healthy living. Children's understanding of good health is further extended through games and activities. For example, children join in with a shopping game. They confidently work together and describe to staff the food that is good for them. Children's emotional well-being is supported by caring staff who interact with children as they play. Staff teach children about their personal safety. For example, they remind them to be careful when walking around when the floor is wet to avoid them slipping over.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children do not yet make good progress in their learning. However, they do enjoy a range of enjoyable activities that supports them in acquiring some of the skills they need for school. For example, they learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and how to treat others equally and respectfully.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 148123 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1063624 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 19 Name of registered person Hallgrove Community Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 4 November 2013 Telephone number 01707 880 890

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reference number

Hallgrove Community Pre-School was registered in 1992. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term time only, from 9am until midday. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children and supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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

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