Kingsmead Pre School

Kingsmead Pre School Stanstead Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13 7HQ

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Inspection date 14 September 2018 Previous inspection date 2 June 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The manager and staff are friendly and approachable. They are well qualified, dedicated and enthusiastic. This has a positive impact on the quality of the provision. Children arrive happy and keen to start their day. n The quality of teaching is good. Staff support children's learning well. They provide a good balance of adult-led activities and opportunities for children to make decisions and follow their own interests as they play. n Staff interact very well with the children. They enjoy singing songs and sharing books together. All staff ask good questions to encourage the children's listening, attention and speaking skills. n Staff act as good role models and are calm, patient and kind. Children are treated with courtesy and respect. For example, staff thank them warmly for sharing their 'treasures' from home during small-group time. n Parents are very complimentary about the pre-school. They say that their children are

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The provision is good

happy and settled, and that the setting offers very good care and education.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n The manager does not make the best possible use of supervision meetings to monitor and evaluate staff practice and to focus on raising the overall quality of teaching to the highest level. n Staff do not consistently make effective use of the information that they gather about children when they first start at the pre-school to establish accurate starting points.

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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

n build on the current arrangements for the performance management of staff so that it focuses more specifically on raising the quality of teaching to an outstanding level n use the information from parents and initial assessments of children when they first start at the pre-school to establish accurate starting points from which to monitor children's progress.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff are knowledgeable about their responsibilities to keep children safe and protected from harm. They are fully aware of what to do should they have any concerns about children's welfare. The manager and staff work closely together to provide good care and learning opportunities for children. They monitor the progress made by groups of children and quickly identify and address any gaps in children's learning. Self-evaluation is effective and identifies changes to improve outcomes for children. For example, staff have reorganised the environment to encourage children to further develop their interest in books. Parents are kept informed about their children's progress. They are encouraged to borrow 'story sacks' to read with their children at home.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are well qualified and have a good knowledge of how children learn and develop. They teach children a wide range of skills and interact positively with them while they play. The indoor and outdoor environments are welcoming and provide a broad range of activities. Staff observe and assess children's learning and plan for what they need to learn next. Staff encourage children's mathematical skills as they talk about size and number in their favourite stories. Younger children confidently count the number of oranges the caterpillar eats. They know what number comes next when counting in sequence. Young children make good progress in their early reading and writing skills. They show this when they eagerly identify their name on the registration board and enjoy making marks with different media.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The pre-school is set out attractively with good-quality equipment and clearly defined learning areas. This means children can easily make decisions about what they do and initiate their own play and learning. Children demonstrate good behaviour and respond well to the daily routines of the pre-school. Staff help them to understand the importance of safe and healthy lifestyles. For example, children eat nutritious snacks, have regular exercise and follow good hygiene routines. They become aware of their own and other people's similarities and differences. Staff teach them about different festivals and provide opportunities for them to try foods from other countries. Staff develop good relationships with local schools, which helps to support older children during their transition to school.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those in receipt of funding, make good progress in their learning. They join in group activities and learn to share and take turns. Children quickly grow in confidence and independence. They enjoy taking responsibility for tasks, such as serving their food and pouring drinks at snack time. Children learn key skills in readiness for their move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 463233 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10059646 Type of provision Sessional day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 3 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Kingsmead Pre School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 2 June 2015 Telephone number 01992 550024

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reference number

Kingsmead Pre School registered in 1991 and is managed by a committee. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until midday. A lunch club is also offered from midday until 1.30pm on Monday and Tuesday. 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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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