Fingerprints Pre-school and Nursery

Fingerprints Pre-school and Nursery 816 St Albans Road, Watford, WD25 9FL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 November 2017 Not applicable

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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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 Staff work exceptionally well in partnership with parents and tailor their practice in meticulous detail to the needs of children. Parents highly praise staff's dedication towards their children and feel very involved with the pre-school. They help as volunteers, exchange ongoing information with staff and attend regular parent sessions and workshops.  Staff manage children's behaviour skilfully in partnership with parents and other professionals, when needed. They are very inclusive, praising children's achievements and efforts. Children behave exceptionally well.  Staff identify the next steps in children's learning and plan educational programmes based on their individual needs. For example, staff read children's favourite stories with enthusiasm, using props and visual aids to engage children and promote their literacy skills successfully. All children thoroughly enjoy the story sessions, joining in with great

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This provision is good

interest and concentration.  Staff supervise children closely. They carry out risk assessments to ensure that children are safe at all times. Children develop their personal safety awareness and are involved in assessing risks during routines and play.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although the manager holds supervision meetings with staff, these are not focused on raising staff's teaching skills to an outstanding level.

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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

 seek further ways to enhance staff's professional development that focuses more specifically on developing an expert knowledge of teaching and 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 carried out two joint observations of activities with the manager.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the manager, deputy manager, staff and children.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff working with the children, their qualifications and training certificates. The inspector discussed with the manager and staff how they reflect on their practice.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection process and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff attend training on child protection and understand the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. They know the steps to take to make a referral if they have concerns about a child in their care. The manager monitors staff's suitability and makes sure they are clear about their roles and responsibilities. The manager works with staff, parents and the local authority to reflect on the service the pre- school offers to ensure that the care and teaching practice meets the needs of children. Staff work well with external professionals and make good use of additional funding to promote children's individual needs.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are well qualified and experienced. They are good teachers who provide children with a range of activities across all areas of learning. Staff ensure a balance of adult-led and child-led play opportunities. They teach younger children about the different sizes, shapes and utilities of cars. In the outdoor area, younger children ride on toy cars and learn about traffic safety. Older children relish the challenge as they learn to use scales for weighing and comparing different natural resources that they brought in from the garden. This helps them to develop their mathematical skills. Staff work in very good partnership with parents, and with other settings that some children attend. Children benefit from the shared approach that supports their learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff's utmost priorities are to protect children's welfare and ensure that they are healthy. They have an expert understanding of children's personal needs and promote their independence and confidence superbly. Children analyse the safest ways to complete an obstacle course and benefit from the exceptional encouragement and support of staff. They learn about their bodies, the importance of healthy eating and daily exercise. Staff engage children in talks about their meals, cooking and planting. Children enjoy plenty of outdoor play and daily physical activities and sports. Staff provide them with exceptional opportunities to learn about cultures and festivals. Children celebrate their home life and have a deep sense of belonging at the pre-school.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children benefit from staff's great attention to their personal preferences. Children enjoy the exciting role-play areas, such as the café and builders' area, where they act out familiar scenarios. They develop their creativity and imagination. All children make good progress, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. Children develop the key skills which prepare them effectively in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY475087 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1105776 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Fingerprints Education

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01923677388

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reference number

Fingerprints Pre-school and Nursery registered in 2014. The pre-school employs 10 members of staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3, including the manager who holds early years professional status. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9am to midday and from 12.30pm to 3pm. The pre-school offers an optional early start club from 8.30am to 9am and a lunch club from midday to 12.30pm. 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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