Early Days Pre-School

Early Days Playgroup Oughtonhead Primary And Nursery School, Mattocke Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 2NZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 February 2018 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 Good 2

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This provision is good

 Children make good progress and persevere during tasks as staff get to know their interests well and plan activities based on what they enjoy.  Children become very independent and develop excellent personal care skills. For example, children confidently assist with tasks, such as setting the table at snack time. They serve their food and drinks independently and thoughtfully assist younger children.  Parents and staff work effectively in partnership to support children's care and learning needs. Parents appreciate the staff's efforts to include them in their children's learning. For instance, parents talk confidently about sharing stories to complement those in the playgroup and support their child's growing vocabulary.  Effective systems are implemented to reflect on practice, to guide staff and support their ongoing professional development. For example, the management committee has appointed an administrator, which provides the manager with time to undertake more

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This provision is good

regular supervision meetings. This helps staff to reflect on their strengths and identify areas for development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, children are not consistently given time to think and talk about what they are seeing or experiencing.  At times, staff do not use what they know about children's next steps during interactions to challenge their learning further and help them to make even better progress.

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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

 give children time to think in more depth and describe what they are observing or experiencing  support staff to use what they know about children at every opportunity to challenge and build on children's learning, to help them make even better progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children’s learning.  The inspector discussed an evaluation of an activity with the manager.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the manager, staff and children.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of persons working with children. The inspector discussed with the manager and staff how they reflect on their practice.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback and discussions during the inspection process.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff understand their responsibility to protect children. They know what action to take and how to follow procedures should they have a concern about a child's welfare. Staff are vigilant in their supervision of children. Daily checks and thorough risk assessments of the premises, indoors and outdoors, are used to help ensure all areas that children access are safe and secure. The management team implement robust recruitment processes to help ensure new staff are suitable to work with children and understand their role. Staff work well with parents and outside agencies to enable good consistency for children who require additional support. Parents speak very highly of the staff and the provision.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Teaching is good. Overall, staff provide children with a range of activities that reflect their interests and next steps in learning. They encourage children to select their own resources to adapt their play and make decisions or direct their own learning. Staff provide opportunities for children to use their imagination. For example, encouraging them to use creative materials to recreate the face of a bear or become super heroes or princess characters while dressing up. Children demonstrate dexterity as they manage these tasks unaided. Staff encourage children to solve problems, such as how to stop a tower wobbling and falling over. Children experiment with different sized pieces of wood, discovering that placing a wider piece first provides stability to carefully place the next one on top.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the playgroup. Staff are positive role models and help children build friendships and play together. Children are kind and play nicely with others. They learn to share and take turns. For instance, they work well together to make and stir porridge for 'three bears', sharing the oats and water between themselves. Children are polite and show respect to staff and each other. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement, which helps to support their developing confidence and sense of self-esteem. Children learn how to be safe as they keep their play environment free from hazards. For example, they pick toys up from the floor without being asked and listen to and follow instructions from staff.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning and development. They are creative and concentrate well on their chosen activities. For example, children enjoy using weighing scales as they sort and group objects. They begin to recognise letters and the sound of their name as they look for their name card. Children are supported well to develop the skills they will need for their future learning and their eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY492398 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1034952 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Early Days Playgroup

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01462437643

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reference number

Early Days Playgroup re-registered in 2015. The provision has been established since 2002. The management committee employ eight members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 8.45am to 3.15pm. The playgroup provides funded 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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