Pelham Pre-School

Pelham Pre-School Stocking Pelham Village Hall, Stocking Pelham, Nr Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0HZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 November 2017 15 May 2014

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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 are enthusiastic learners who are keen to learn and investigate. They engage in a rich range of interesting learning experiences, indoors and outdoors. For example, they learn about life cycles as they observe chicks hatching from their eggs.  Staff develop strong relationships with parents. There is an effective two-way flow of information to aid children's care and learning. Parents describe the well-qualified team of staff as 'angels' who are consistently 'kind and caring'.  The manager supports staff in their continued professional development. The motivated staff team share their individual skills with each other. They receive regular supervision meetings and have good training opportunities. Recent training has further enhanced their knowledge of specific methods to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.  Children form warm and caring bonds with all members of staff and their key person

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This provision is good

who know them very well. Children show high levels of self-confidence as they proudly hang their Christmas decoration on the Christmas tree, and eagerly talk about previous experiences with visitors.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although staff gather detailed information from parents about their child's learning on entry, they do not make the best possible use of this to precisely inform planning from the outset.  Staff do not fully support children to use their home language to enhance their speaking skills.

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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

 make the best possible use of the initial information sought from parents to precisely inform early planning  enhance opportunities for children to develop and use their home language.

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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 during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working at the pre-school and committee members.  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. The manager and staff are aware of the procedures for identifying and responding to any concerns about a child's welfare. Children's safety is at the heart of every member of staff. The manager thoroughly monitors children's progress, including specific groups of children. The whole staff team are reflective and regularly evaluate the provision they offer. Their commitment helps them to drive forward identified areas for improvement. Staff work closely with other professionals and parents to effectively help children who have SEN and/or disabilities make good progress. Successful partnerships with staff at other settings that children attend effectively supports their continuity of learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff create a welcoming and inviting environment where children are motivated to learn. Children develop the small muscles in their hands to help prepare them for writing. For instance, they persevere at threading different coloured wool through the small holes in plastic mesh to create a firework picture. Children demonstrate a keen interest in books. They retell stories from the pictures on the pages and eagerly select a book to take home and share with their parents. Children have fun experimenting with a wide range of materials that stimulates their senses. For example, they explore how cotton-wool balls feel on their cheeks and use their hands to mix shaving foam with paint to create new colours. Children positively respond to the staff's use of questioning. They use complex sentences to describe in detail the features of animals, such as tigers and giraffes.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well, use good manners and demonstrate respect towards each other. They are learning to solve minor disputes independently. Children follow a good hygiene routine. Staff effectively provide children with positive messages about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Children demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility for their environment. They eagerly help to tidy away the activities they have finished playing with and carefully reposition a decoration that has fallen from the Christmas tree. Children develop good physical skills; they balance on stepping stones and pedal tricycles.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in relation to their starting points. Children count and sort beads according to their colour. They identify numbers, make predictions and solve simple mathematical problems, such as addition and subtraction. Children recognise their own name and are beginning to write some letters. They are independent individuals. Children manage their own outing clothing and organise their personal belongings. They gain the necessary skills needed to help prepare them for their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127815 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1087606 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 24 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person Pelhams Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 May 2014 Telephone number 01279 777939

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reference number

Pelham Pre-School registered in 1993 and is managed by a voluntary committee. It employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school operates from 9am until 2.45pm, Monday to Thursday, during term time only. It 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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