Aycliffe Drive Pre-school

Aycliffe Drive Pre-school Huntingate, Grovehill, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, Hertfordshire, HP2 6LJ

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 June 2017 2 May 2014

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

 Since the last inspection, the team has worked well to address areas for improvements.  Overall, the manager monitors children's progress to identify where extra support may be required. She identifies additional, targeted support to help close any gaps in children's learning, in preparation for their next stage of learning and for school.  Staff successfully complete the progress check for children aged two years. This is shared with parents and is used to identify any areas where children's progress is less than expected and develop plans to address any concerns.  Partnerships with parents are well established. Communication is good and helps to ensure that each child's care and learning needs are well met.  Children's emotional security is given high priority by staff. For example, staff initially address this with a gradual settling-in period that is agreed with parents and tailored to meet their child's needs.

p.1

This provision is good

 The environment is welcoming, well organised, secure and safe.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, particularly during adult-led learning, there are missed opportunities for children to try and have a go, before staff step in to offer support.  Staff do not make the most of opportunities to encourage boys to engage in the writing or creative activities made available to them.  Recent changes to develop systems for tracking children's progress are not yet fully embedded, to help raise the quality of teaching even further.

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

 adapt activities to provide appropriate challenge for children of differing ages and abilities  provide a broad range of opportunities to strengthen children's literacy development, with a particular focus to supporting boys' pre-writing skills  continue to embed current processes for tracking the progress made by different groups of children, in order to help raise the quality of staff teaching practice to the highest possible level.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager and discussed teaching methods with her.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and the nominated person. She looked at a sample of documentation and evidence of the suitability, and qualifications of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a secure knowledge of safeguarding and how to keep children safe. Effective staff recruitment and vetting systems are in place which helps ensure that children are cared for by adults who are suitably checked and qualified. The manager regularly meets with staff throughout the year. These meetings support staff to reflect on their personal development and to discuss and plan any training needs. Overall, the manager monitors the assessment of children's individual learning and effectively supports the team with next steps in planning. Parents are very complimentary about the setting. They believe it has a positive effect on their children's learning and development, specifically their communication and social skills. There are well-focused plans for improvement in place to build on the good practice already achieved.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff monitor children's progress regularly and share this information with parents to keep them up to date about their children's development. Staff successfully develop children's communication skills and language, for example, through a variety of good discussion, singing sessions and large-group interactions. They encourage younger children to repeat simple words and praise all children for their efforts, helping to support their self- confidence. Staff enable children to handle interactive toys, complete puzzles and use construction toys to further support learning. All children enjoy using their imaginations as they explore and engage in activities that provide options to be something or someone, such as through the use of puppets, stories and props and role play experiences.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff warmly welcome children when they arrive. Children settle quickly into the safe, comfortable and inviting surroundings. Staff collect relevant information from parents when the children initially start, to gain an understanding of what the children like and can do. Children confidently make choices about their play from a range of good-quality toys and resources that appeals to them. Staff are positive role models for the children, reinforcing good manners and showing care and consideration for others. Staff support children's health and well-being effectively. They actively discuss and promote good hygiene practices, such as blowing noses as necessary and encouraging regular handwashing.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who receive additional funding, make good progress in their learning from their starting points. Children's independence is developing well, for example, some learn to take off and put on their own shoes independently. Overall, children choose what they want to do from the wide variety of activities and resources available.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 129314 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1087608 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 23 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Aycliffe Drive Pre-School Committee

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 2 May 2014 Telephone number 01442 404 012

p.4

reference number

Aycliffe Drive Pre-school registered in 1992 and is located in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The setting is open Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 3.15pm and Friday from 8.45am to 11.45am, during term time only. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are seven members of staff working directly with the children. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications and the manager has achieved early years professional status.

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