St Laurence Pre School

Inspection of St Laurence Pre School Hurford Hall (St Laurence Church Hall), Corbets Tey Road, Upminster RM14 2BB

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy and arrive at the pre-school eager to learn. Staff's interaction with children is warm, caring and nurturing. They are enthusiastic and praise children for their efforts, achievements, and positive behaviour. This has a positive impact on children's confidence and self-esteem, and their readiness for learning. Children are very well behaved and play together very well. Staff are good role models. Staff recognise the uniqueness of each child. They help children acquire the language to resolve issues themselves. For example, a child is supported by staff to express how he is feeling following an altercation. Policies and procedures are implemented well, which keeps children safe and supports their well-being. Routines are consistent and this helps children feel secure in what is happening next. For example, when staff ring the bell the children 'freeze' then sing a tidy-up song as they clear away the toys ready for group time.

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The provision is good

Staff provide children with a bright well-organised environment. A wide range of interesting activities are attractively laid out, which ignites children's curiosity and invites them to play and learn. Children move freely around the room and outside area to explore and develop their own ideas.

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need to do better?

n The managers show a genuine enthusiasm and passion for their work with children. They evaluate the quality of the pre-school and recently identified that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children may struggle to settle back into pre- school and recognised the importance of extending the settling-in sessions provided. n Staff feel well supported by the provider and manager. They are provided with regular training and feedback on their practice. Staff's own interests and strengths are valued. The management team has assigned staff areas to develop within the setting and they each take turns in leading the day. n Staff are aware of those children who speak English as an additional language. They know that these children do not always hear the English language spoken at home. Staff broaden children's experiences of hearing and using the English language in the pre-school. Children begin to speak confidently in English soon

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need to do better?

after they start at the pre-school. n Staff use the curriculum to plan different opportunities for children, which link effectively to topics that children are learning about. For example, to develop their literacy skills, staff read stories and introduce the book 'Dear Zoo' in line with the current animal topic. Children enjoy listening to the story and eagerly repeat familiar phrases. In line with this topic, staff have also made a role-play zoo and children enjoy painting pictures of their favourite animals and making lion masks. n Parents and carers are delighted with the setting and express how much their

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need to do better?

9 November 2021 children enjoy attending. They speak highly of the staff and particularly value how much they have helped with the good progress children are making. Staff make good use of opportunities to involve parents and carers and the regular exchange of information keeps them up to date with what is happening at the setting. n Most of the adult-led learning experiences, such as group times, are provided for children aged two to four years in one large group. This helps the older children as they prepare for school. However, at times, the younger children can become distracted and lose concentration. n The pre-school has recently expanded to offer extra space for children accessing the government's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which gives children access to free activities and healthy meals during the school holidays. Staff provide activities that promote good oral hygiene, such as using toothpaste

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need to do better?

and brushes to clean the 'lion's' teeth. One child said, 'if you don't clean your teeth you will get cavities.' n Staff make the most of close link with the adjoining church and children enjoy regular visits and activities. Staff also celebrate some religious festivals. However, they do not always provide rich opportunities for children to learn about communities beyond their own.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff can identify the signs and symptoms of abuse and know the action to take if they have a concern. They have a secure knowledge of the setting's whistle- blowing policy if they are concerned about another staff member. Staff can identify wider safeguarding issues. The provider has safe recruitment procedures in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff place a high importance on keeping children safe. Strict procedures are in place to ensure children who have food allergies are protected from harm.

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should:

n support staff to consider the abilities of children participating in group activities and to increase the support for younger children n help children to have a deeper understanding of communities beyond their own.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY563059 Local authority Havering Inspection number 10191110 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person St Laurence Pre School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07773 687179 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

St Laurence Pre School is an established setting and opened in 1998, and re- registered in 2018. It operates from within the grounds of St Laurence Church in Upminster, in the London Borough of Havering. The setting receives funding to provide free early education to children aged, two, three and four years. The setting operates each weekday Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm term time and from 8am to 4pm during the school holidays. The provider employs seven staff. One of these holds qualified teacher status and four hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector held discussions with the provider, manager, staff, and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the pre-school to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed the staff's interactions with the children both indoors and outdoors, to assess the impact this has on children's learning.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

9 November 2021 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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