Cornerstones Pre-School

Cornerstones Pre-School Pound Close Youth And Community Centre, Stanstead Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0PE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 June 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 are confident learners. They respond positively to staff's encouragement and relish the praise given for their efforts and achievements. This helps to promote children's high levels of self-esteem. Children are making good progress in their learning.  Children develop strong bonds with their key person and other staff. They look to them for support when needed and enjoy including them in some of their imaginary games. For example, they pretend to be a nurse as they work out how to unravel and wrap a bandage around a member of staff's 'broken arm'.  Parents describe the provider and staff as approachable and friendly. They talk about how they are regularly provided with information about their children's ongoing progress. Parents are kept well informed about what is happening in the pre-school thorough discussion and regular newsletters.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently make the most effective use of observations and assessments to focus more precisely on what children need to learn next in order to help them to make better than good progress.  Although the provider checks staff's practice each term, she does not precisely identify how they can raise the quality of their practice to a higher 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

 make more effective use of observations and assessments to focus precisely on what the children need to learn next in order to help them achieve at the highest levels  extend the use of more targeted professional development opportunities to strengthen staff's existing knowledge and teaching skills further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outside and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the provider.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the provider, staff and children.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of persons working with children. The inspector discussed with the provider and staff how they reflect on their practice.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussion provided at inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The provider regularly updates her policies and procedures to ensure that information remains current. The provider and her staff have completed training to improve their understanding of how to manage any potential allegations. Staff show a good understanding of how to promote the safety of children. They have easy access to relevant guidance should they have any concerns about a child. Parents talk about regularly meeting with key persons to discuss their child's progress and how they can support learning at home. The provider reflects on practice using a wide range of feedback from other professionals, staff, children and parents. This helps her to make informed decisions about future improvements.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff plan activities that they know children will enjoy. This helps to gain their attention and involve them in a wide range of learning opportunities. Children show a keen interest in what others are doing. They demonstrate very good physical skills as they climb to the top of large play equipment. Children problem solve as they skilfully negotiate their way down the other side onto a large cushion. Showing great pride in this achievement they excitedly tell the adults nearby, 'I did it'. Children are supported to extend their ideas as staff ensure that requested equipment is available to them. For example, when they want to have a go at carrying a pretend egg on a spoon. Children have fun making marks in sand and are helped to understand that some of these carry meaning. Children have vivid imaginations. They use boxes as a pretend bus and become a delivery man dropping off packages at their chosen destination. Older children learn about sounds as part of large-

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are keen to do things independently and make plenty of choices about what they want to play with next. They behave well. Staff provide guidance that helps them learn about what is acceptable behaviour. Children are learning how to risk assess as part of their play, helping to keep themselves safe. Staff are deployed well, which ensures that they are close by should children need any support. Children's ongoing health and well- being are supported well. They can choose from a balanced range of snacks and enjoy regular outdoor play opportunities.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children show good hand-to-eye coordination and balance as they take part in activities and games. They express their likes and dislikes in food. For example, they confidently tell staff that they like cucumber but do not want any hummus. Children show growing control over their physical movement as they skilfully use tongs to serve themselves at snack time. Children are developing the skills needed for their next stage in development and in preparation for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY501646 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1052700 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Cornerstones Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01992 462818

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reference number

Cornerstones Pre-School registered in 2016. The pre-school employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The pre-school opens Monday to Thursday from 9.15am to 2.15pm and on Friday from 9.15am to 12.15pm, term time only. 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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