Datchworth Pre-School

Datchworth Pre-School Datchworth Village Hall, 52 Datchworth Green, Datchworth, Hertfordshire, SG3 6TL

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 May 2017 23 June 2015

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Children form warm and secure bonds with their key person and all members of staff. They thoroughly enjoy their key person's sensitive interaction in their play. Children demonstrate friendly and respectful relationships with each other. For example, they laugh together as they use their vivid imaginations when mixing sand and water together to make pretend chocolate cakes.  Staff develop strong relationships with parents. There is an effective two-way flow of information to aid children's care and learning. Parents describe how the staff team, 'Care for their children as if they were part of their own family'.  The well qualified and dedicated staff team works very well together. They receive regular supervision meetings and have good training opportunities to consistently update their skills. Staff share the new knowledge they gain with each other. This helps children to positively benefit from newly introduced methods of practice, such as

p.1

This provision is good

activities to extend children's interest in making marks.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not share precise information about children's achievements with staff from all other settings that children attend to fully support their continuity in learning.  Occasionally, children are not given enough time to think about and respond to staffs' enthusiastic questioning, such as during planned activities.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen the partnership with other staff from all settings that children attend  provide more opportunities for children to enhance their thinking and speaking skills, particularly to help them formulate answers and respond to questions.

p.2

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.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. She reviewed how the pre-school uses self-evaluation to reflect upon the service they offer.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager, deputy manager and chairperson of the committee. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of committee members, as well as staff working in the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of how to identify any children who may be at risk of harm. They know the action to take if they have concerns about a child's welfare. For example, staff implement a strict password system in the event of parents not being able to collect their own children. The manager, committee members and staff are reflective and regularly evaluate the provision they offer. Their commitment helps them to drive forward identified areas for improvement. The manager thoroughly monitors children's progress, including specific groups of children. Swift action is taken to address any gaps in children's learning. Staff work in successful partnership with other professionals to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff undertake detailed assessments of children's progress. All children engage in challenging activities with enthusiasm. For example, they discover through trial and error which toy vehicles move the fastest down various ramps with different surfaces. Children positively respond to the staff's praise. This motivates them to continue experimenting and implement their own ideas, for example, raising one end of the ramp that is covered in fabric to make the vehicles roll faster. Staff skilfully respond to spontaneous events to enhance children's learning. For example, as the post officer delivers the pre-school's post, staff enhance children's understanding of different occupations. Children are inquisitive. They are keen to see what is inside the post officer's bag and try on his jacket.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Effective arrangements are in place to help children to settle as they begin attending. Children grow in confidence. For example, they speak out in small groups. They are very independent and know the importance of a good hygiene routine. Children prepare and serve themselves a healthy snack. For example, they clear away their plates and cups when they have finished without being reminded. They demonstrate a strong awareness of how to keep safe and access risks for themselves as they develop good physical skills. For example, they climb over and under the bars of the sturdy climbing frame outdoors.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in relation to their starting points, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. For example, they are able to identify and write their own name. Children learn to link letters to sounds as they join in with songs and actions that incorporate the different letters of the alphabet. They confidently count, recognise numbers and solve simple mathematical problems, such as addition. They gain the necessary skills needed to help prepare them for their future learning at school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 146430 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1089729 Type of provision Full-time 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 28 Name of registered person Datchworth Pre-School Committee

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 23 June 2015 Telephone number 01438 814310

p.4

reference number

Datchworth Pre-School registered in 1994 and is located in Datchworth, Hertfordshire. It employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including the manager, who holds early years professional status. The pre-school opens from 9am until 1pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 9am until 2.45pm on Tuesday and Thursday, term time only. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

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

p.5