Hightown Pre-School

Hightown Pre-School Hightown Methodist Church, 47 High Town Road, LUTON, LU2 0BW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 December 2017 22 March 2016

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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 who need additional help are supported well. Staff work closely with parents and other agencies to enhance the learning outcomes for all children. Managers closely monitor children's progress.  Staff know the children well and accurately assess their development. They plan a well- balanced range of activities that helps children to reach the next steps in their learning.  Children's emotional well-being is carefully nurtured when they first join the nursery. They quickly develop their sense of belonging and have strong bonds with their key person.  Managers make good use of self-evaluation to improve the nursery. They listen to the views of staff and parents to help them plan for improvements. For example, coffee mornings have been implemented to enhance the partnerships between parents and staff.  Children's communication and language development are supported exceptionally well. Staff engage children in purposeful conversations and support their growing interest in

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children do not have wide enough opportunities to learn about other people, families and communities beyond their own.  On occasion, less-experienced staff lack confidence in helping more boisterous children divert their energies into constructive, purposeful play.

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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

 enhance children's opportunities to learn more about other people, families and communities beyond their own experience  strengthen staff skills and confidence in promoting children's positive behaviour.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the activities and evaluated the quality of teaching in all areas of the nursery.  The inspector had meetings with the owner and the manager and spoke with children and staff at convenient times during the inspection. The nursery's self-evaluation was discussed.  A range of documentation was sampled, including staff training and evidence of their suitability, some policies and procedures and children's records.  The views of parents were taken into account through discussion and looking at the results of surveys.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Managers and staff have a good understanding of child protection issues. They know the procedures to follow if they have concerns about the welfare of children. Staff work well with other agencies if children are at risk of harm. Daily checks of the premises, along with effective staff deployment, help to keep children safe. Staff have good opportunities for professional development. Several are working towards higher qualifications. Training is targeted well. For example, staff are learning sign language to enhance communication with children who are learning English as an additional language.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The experienced and well-qualified staff team engages well with children. They question the children effectively and encourage them to talk about their activities. Children eagerly take part in planned activities. For example, they gather round a table to make toy Santas for Christmas. Older children enjoy dressing up and use their imaginations as they pretend to be princesses or superheroes. Staff help children gain an understanding about each other's lifestyles and celebrate personal festivals, such as birthdays, together. Staff keep parents involved well in their children's learning and have frequent meetings with them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children play in a clean and safe environment. They help themselves to plentiful, age- appropriate resources and have good opportunities to play independently and follow their own interests. Older children confidently prepare their snacks and help themselves to drinks. Staff encourage children to join in ring games that help them to take turns and work together. Children have daily opportunities to be active indoors and outside. Staff have good links with local schools to help children transfer into Reception classes when the time comes. Parents praise staff for the support given to their children. They say managers and staff are friendly and approachable. Staff ensure parents are informed promptly of any accidents or incidents affecting their children.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children's physical skills are developing well. Younger children learn to manipulate small objects, such as pom-poms and glue sticks, during a craft activity. Older children control balls with skill and handle brushes and scissors confidently. They have a keen interest in letters and enjoy making marks with chalks, crayons and paint. Younger children learn to use numbers in practical ways. For example, they count out the baby ducks as they are taken from the water tray. All children make good progress in their learning, including those who receive additional funding. They are well prepared for their entry into school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY478827 Local authority Luton Inspection number 1118951 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 48 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person Raffet Begum Pasha

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 March 2016 Telephone number 07870808005

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reference number

Hightown Pre-School registered in 2014. The pre-school employs nine members of staff, including the manager. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2, 3, 5 or 6. The owner holds a qualification at level 5. The pre-school opens during term time only. Sessions are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 3.45pm, and Wednesday from 12.45 to 3.45pm. The pre-school 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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