Hatfield Heath Pre-School

Inspection of Hatfield Heath Pre- School Hatfield Heath CP School, The Heath, Hatfield Heath, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire CM22 7EA

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are compromised. This is because Ofsted has not been provided with information about all persons on the management committee in a timely manner. Therefore, the suitability of these persons has not been established. Furthermore, the designated leads for safeguarding do not always show professional curiosity or fully explore how children have received marks and bruises outside of the pre-school. Nor do they record and monitor these incidents at the earliest opportunity.

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The provision is inadequate

Children demonstrate they feel happy at the pre-school and behave well. Staff give children clear and consistent messages that help them to understand what is expected of them. Children play cooperatively, take turns and share resources successfully. They are learning how to develop healthy lifestyles, such as the importance of exercise and healthy food. Children are gaining good independence skills. They look after their own belongings and show pride in their achievements, such as how they can fasten their coats. Children are developing good physical skills, they demonstrate this as they skilfully use scissors and pencils. Many children are able to write their names and understand the sounds that letters make. These skills prepare children well for their future learning at school.

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need to do better?

n The suitability of some members of the management committee has not been checked because they have failed to provide Ofsted with the required information. In addition, staff are not proactive in exploring how children have received injuries outside of the pre-school or adequately document these. This means that safeguarding processes are not followed and weaknesses in safeguarding practice compromise children's safety and welfare. n Staff take time to get to know children and their families well. They gain detailed information about what children can already do when they start to attend the pre-school. Staff plan effectively to help their individual key children successfully build on their existing knowledge and skills. n Staff support children to develop strong communication and language skills. They talk to children as they engage in activities and introduce them to new words, such as 'germinate'. Staff explain what new words mean, which supports

p.2

need to do better?

children's understanding of vocabulary. Children who speak English as an additional language make steady, sustained progress. Staff find out key words in children's home languages. They use clear words and sentences to support children with their understanding of English. n Children thoroughly enjoy using books for pleasure and to gain information from. They listen intently to stories read to them, both in groups and independently. Staff help children to know how to find information from pictures

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need to do better?

24 February 2022 and words. They question children about what they can see and find out from pictures in books. At other times, children follow written guidelines as they plant and care for cress seeds. n Staff work well in partnership with parents. They establish an effective two-way flow of information that helps to promote consistency in children's care and learning. Parent's comments about the pre-school and staff are highly positive. They state that they feel well informed about their children's development and know how to support their learning at home. Parents share that their children feel safe and that their needs are well met. n Children have many opportunities to be outdoors. They play imaginatively in the mud kitchen and enjoy listening to stories outside. At other times, children use the space and equipment in the school playground. This enables them to use their big muscles for climbing and peddling tricycles. Staff state physical activity

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need to do better?

is crucial to children's health and well-being. n The managers and staff regularly reflect on their practice and look for ways to continually improve. They think carefully of how their ongoing plans will be of benefit to children. The provider has good systems in place to review staff's practice and to help them develop further. Staff report they are supported well by the managers and have many opportunities to undertake training to support their ongoing development. n Overall, staff plan and deliver the curriculum effectively to encourage children's development. They seize opportunities to teach children, such as by talking about shape and size as children build box models. However, at times, the daily routine is too rigid and has an impact on children's learning. For example, during some group times, children are required to move away from activities laid out on tables after five minutes. This does not give all children time to complete their

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The provider has failed to inform Ofsted of changes to members of the management committee to enable suitability checks to be completed. These committee members take an active part in the running of the pre-school. Furthermore, the designated leads for safeguarding do not adequately explore, document or monitor marks and bruises children have when they arrive at the pre- school. This puts children at potential risk of harm. However, staff do understand other parts of their safeguarding responsibilities. They know how to identify the signs of abuse and neglect. This includes if children are being drawn into extreme views.

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Due date

ensure that Ofsted is provided with the necessary information to carry out suitability checks on members of the committee that make up the registered body 10/03/2022

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Due date

ensure secure produces are in place to safeguard children, particularly in respect of identifying, recording and monitoring marks and bruises children arrive at the pre-school with. 10/03/2022

p.4

should:

n review the routines of the day to lessen the impact of children's learning and engagement in activities being interrupted.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY396055 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10127397 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 28 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Hatfield Heath Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07340 575792 Date of previous inspection 16 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Hatfield Heath Pre-School registered in 2009. It is run by a voluntary management committee. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time, from 8am until 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 deputy managers and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n One of the deputy managers and inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the pre-school to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n A joint observation was carried out and discussed between one of the deputy managers and the inspector. n Staff, children and parents spoke with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of the pre-school's documentation during a meeting with the provider. This included reviewing information about safeguarding, staff suitability and training.

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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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