Top Place Preschool

Inspection of Top Place Preschool Derby Road Baptist Church, Derby Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD17 2LZ

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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 settled in the pre-school. They access a wide range of activities that interests them. This helps children to be motivated to learn. Children show respect and care for each other and the adults that care for them. Staff are attentive and nurturing towards the children.

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The provision is good

Children participate eagerly in routines. Staff sing to them at 'tidy up time' as children help put the toys away. Children have a range of opportunities to learn how to keep themselves healthy. They cut their own fruit up using knives and put their plates away on the trolley once they have finished. Staff talk to the children about healthy eating and how they keep their teeth clean. Children develop their understanding of keeping healthy as they clean model teeth with water and toothbrushes. They have a lot of opportunities to enjoy physical activities. Children ride up and down the garden in ride-on cars racing each other. They also move with confident coordination as they join in with music and movement sessions.

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The provision is good

Staff recognise children's achievements. At the end of the day they give children stickers to celebrate their accomplishments. They proudly come and show the visitor what sticker they have been awarded.

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need to do better?

n Ambition is set high for the children and they achieve well in their learning. Staff provide a good range of activities that extend the children's learning, especially the older children. While most children remain engaged in activities, at times, staff do not always help the youngest children stay focused on their learning. n There is a strong focus on communication and language. Staff continuously sing with the children so they know it is time for the next activity. For example, when staff begin singing the 'snack time' song, all the children join in and know instinctively to come and get ready for snack. This helps to embed routines and children's expectations of the day. n Staff promote preparation for school readiness. They encourage children to be independent in their self-care. Older children are offered activities, such as cutting and phonics sessions. Children read books about going to school and

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need to do better?

they role play, putting on school uniforms and pretend to get ready for school. This helps children to be confident when the time comes for them to move to the next stage of their learning. n Staff adapt activities to suit the needs of the children. Children roll out dough and press it into laminated letters to outline the shape of the letter. Staff talk to the children about the shape of the letter and how they can mould it into a 'D'. Younger children enjoy squishing the dough in their hands and rolling it into shapes.

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need to do better?

24 February 2022 n The management and staff are reflective in their practice. For example, they divide the children into two groups for activities to enable the staff to deliver focused activities. However, not all staff offer equally high quality interactions during small group work. n Staff recognise the impact that COVID-19 has on the children. Staff encourage children to take books home to read with parents. This helps to encourage communication and language skills and offer an increased continuity of learning. n Children with special education needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Staff quickly identify when children require additional help and support parents to access this. They liaise with other professionals to help ensure that children receive the support they need to make good progress from their starting points. n The manager supports staff professional development effectively. They meet

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need to do better?

with staff to identify any training needs. New staff attend the relevant training swiftly and the team regularly spends time finding ways to improve their practice. n Parents' feedback is positive. Staff regularly update them with their child's progress via an online learning journal and parents' consultation week. Parents report their children make excellent progress, particularly in their communication skills. Parents say there is a strong community feel to the pre-school and that their children are nurtured and well cared for.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff team understand their responsibilities to protect children. They are aware of the different types of abuse and neglect, and what the signs and symptoms are, including the risk arising from exposure to extreme views and beliefs. They are clear about when and how to report their concerns to the relevant professionals. The management team follow clear recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. They have risk assessment procedures in place to help minimise accidents. For example, toys are checked daily and staff check that cleaning sprays are locked away.

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should:

n help staff to engage younger children more successfully in their learning to develop their specific interests n help staff build on their teaching skills, during small group times, so that all children have equally high-quality opportunities to learn.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2546481 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10215577 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Top Place Preschool Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07842519294 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Top Place Preschool Limited registered in 2019. The setting employs five members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. This includes the manager who has a qualification at level 7. The setting opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 3.15pm each day, term time only.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk. She talked to the inspector about the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors. She discussed children's progress with staff. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of a cutting activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. This included evidence of staff suitability, the complaints record and safeguarding documents. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of written views.

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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

24 February 2022 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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