Fairlands Pre-School

Fairlands Pre-School Fairlands, Pound Avenue, Stevanage, Herts, SG1 3JA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 April 2017 3 March 2015

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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

 Children behave well. Staff consistently remind them of expected conduct. Helpful behaviour is recognised by staff and celebrated by all. One of the ways they do this is to discuss it at circle time. Children applaud each other after working together to tidy up after activities. Parents provide positive feedback, saying that staff have improved children's abilities to listen and cooperate.  Partnerships have been developed with other professionals, such as speech and language therapists. Information provided by these professionals is consistently acted upon and included when planning activities for children. Visits from teachers are encouraged to help children with the move to school.  Management conducts regular and effective supervision meetings to support staff and identify areas where there practice can be developed. Staff attend training with the local school, such as how to effectively develop children's play outdoors.

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This provision is good

 Children's physical development is good. They benefit from regular opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise in the well resourced, safe and inviting outdoor area.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not gather sufficiently detailed information from parents on children's abilities when they start at the setting to fully support their learning from the very beginning.  At times, staff do not provide a wide enough range of interesting and exciting resources and activities to encourage all children to participate in early mark making.

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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

 gather sufficiently detailed information from parents on children's abilities when they start at the setting, to fully support their learning from the outset  provide a wide range of interesting and exciting resources and activities to encourage all children to participate in early mark making.

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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 observed a planned activity and evaluated this with one of the co- managers.  The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and looked at a range of documents.  The inspector held a meeting with the management and discussed the nursery's self- evaluation process. She also looked at records, including evidence of the suitability of the staff working at the nursery.  The inspector spoke to 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. Management carefully checks staff for their suitability to work with children. Staff receive thorough inductions and are aware of the procedures to identify and respond to any concerns regarding the welfare of children. Management keeps up to date with changes in legislation through a variety of methods, including contact with the local authority. Management has developed effective systems for reflective practice to take into account the views of parents, children and staff. Children's requests for additional activities and resources they would like are discussed at team meetings and acted upon.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff plan activities carefully and use appropriate resources to support children's learning. For example, a book about a big, a medium and a small bear is used to introduce an activity about matching and organising toy bears by size. The experienced staff use probing questions to develop children's thinking skills and they understand how to help children achieve the next steps in their learning. Staff continually monitor and review children's progress with parents. They also share information on children's learning, such as the shape and number of the week. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported in many ways. For example, staff gather information on key words from parents and use picture cards to help children communicate.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and confident. They benefit from robust settling-in procedures, such as staggered starts and build good relationships with their key person. Parents comment how well children have settled. Staff are positive role models, modelling good manners and speaking in a calm manner. Children learn the importance of how to keep themselves healthy, for example, they wash their own hands and make healthy food choices. They are encouraged to develop their independence and take care of their own belongings.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make clear and steady progress over time, including those that receive additional funding or speak English as an additional language. They listen carefully to staff and concentrate for long periods in their play. Children work together in small groups as they complete activities and learn to share and take turns. They develop good numeracy skills. For example, during circle time they help to count the number of children present and learn how to show larger numbers using their hands in groups of tens and units. These are some of the skills children gather that help to prepare them for the next stage in their learning or the move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY385674 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1093662 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 3 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 72 Name of registered person Fairlands Pre-school Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 3 March 2015 Telephone number 07500417965

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reference number

Fairlands Pre-School was registered in 2008. The setting employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. This includes the two managers who hold appropriate qualifications at level 5 and level 6. The setting operates Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am to midday and from 1pm to 3.30pm. The setting 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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