Hedgehogs Pre-School at Maryhill

Inspection of Hedgehogs Pre-School at Maryhill Hedgehogs Preschool at Maryhill, Kidsgrove Primary, Gloucester Road, Kidsgrove, Stoke-On-Trent ST7 4DJ

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

The provider has made significant improvements since the last inspection. Children are warmly welcomed into the pre-school by caring and friendly staff. A wide range of activities are set out for children to explore that ignite their thirst for learning. Children are happy and feel safe and secure. Staff offer cuddles to children who seek out comfort when they are unsure or have tripped over.

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The provision is good

Children make their own choices about activities they want to engage in. They enjoy playing in a tray with sand and imitation house bricks. Children use tools to rake, scoop and pour. They are encouraged to test out their own ideas. For example, when a member of staff asks the children who can reach to place the last brick on top of the tower, they investigate which toy digger has a long enough 'scoop' to reach. Children try different toy diggers and work out which one will reach the top.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy fresh air outdoors. They practise their developing physical skills while they ride or push tricycles. Children enjoy using their developing small-muscle skills when they persevere in pressing plastic frogs to make them jump through a tray of water.

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The provision is good

Children are learning to take turns and be kind to their friends. When children display unwanted behaviour, staff help them to understand and learn what is right or wrong. For example, staff ask children not to throw small blocks because these could hit their friends and hurt them. Overall, children behave well.

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need to do better?

n The provider has implemented an extensive programme of support and training for staff, including safeguarding and behaviour management training. Further training is scheduled to support staff to continue to maintain and further improve practice. n All staff are involved with implementing an action plan to ensure the required improvements, following the last inspection, are met. Staff comment that they feel well supported and staff morale is now high. n The provider demonstrates due diligence in ensuring records are kept for the safe and efficient management of the pre-school. She ensures accurate registers and planning for the number of children attending, to maintain staff-to-child ratios. The provider completes risk assessments to ensure children's safety. When an incident occurs that could present as a risk to children, she reflects, investigates and removes any items that may pose a risk. n Parent partnerships are good. Parents comment that they are happy with the

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need to do better?

nursery and that staff are friendly and really care about their children. They

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need to do better?

9 March 2022 especially like the information that staff share about their children's progress, and the activities, which are sent home with the children, to support them in their learning. n Children are developing the skills to be independent. They are encouraged to put their own coats on, take them off and find their own pegs. Staff teach children the importance of being healthy. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after playing outside. Children benefit from healthy snacks that staff provide. n The key-person system is effective and staff know their key children well. They plan activities for the children based on their current interests. However, on occasion, these activities do not sustain children's interest successfully or meet their next steps in learning precisely. The continuous provision does not consistently provide opportunities for children to extend their learning. This

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need to do better?

results in children leaving activities, or some not accessing them. n Children enjoy group circle time and listening to familiar stories. When staff read a story about a hungry caterpillar, they talk about what is happening. To make the activity interactive, staff give children laminated illustrations from the story. However, the less confident children do not always get the picture they want because the more confident children get it first. n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. They share information effectively with external agencies and other professionals involved in children's care. Staff work to targets to ensure children progress. They support parents in the referral process, provide reports and attend forum meetings. This ensures consistency so children make the best possible progress. n The provider and her staff are to receive training on a local initiative to help to

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need to do better?

support and extend children's communication skills. Staff ensure children have appropriate time to respond to questions. They ask open-ended questions, which make children think and respond in sentences. Staff support children who speak English as an additional language. n Staff complete accurate assessments on children's progress, which are monitored by the provider. This helps to identify any gaps in learning and put appropriate support in place. Children learn the skills required for their next stage in learning and eventual move to school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider has made significant improvements in safeguarding. All staff have attended training, including on the 'Prevent' duty. They know the procedure to follow if they have concerns about children in their care. Staff can recognise inappropriate behaviour from adults and know how to report any concerns about their colleagues. All staff have received training in how to manage behaviour appropriately. The use of rewards and stickers reinforces positive praise given to children. The provider has attended training on positive interactions with children. She plans for all staff to complete this training to ensure continuous improvement. Staff hold paediatric first-aid qualifications. The premises are safe and secure.

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should:

n evaluate the continuous provision to ensure all children are consistently engaged in purposeful play n plan activities linked to children's next steps more precisely so that children make the best possible progress n consider how to support children with less confidence to help them to be more confident with other children and in group activities, specifically where other children in the group have high levels of confidence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY468901 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10229271 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Rochelle, Gemma Jayne

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reference number

Telephone number 07812183939 Date of previous inspection 14 December 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Hedgehogs Pre-School at Maryhill registered in 2013. The provider employs four members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 3 to level 6. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two- and three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The provider joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of group activities with the provider. n Parents shared their views on the pre-school with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including children's registers, the complaints log, risk assessments, behaviour incident records and safeguarding referrals, and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working

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Inspection activities

in the pre-school. n The inspector reviewed the professional training undertaken by staff and spoke to them about the impact this had on their practice.

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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 March 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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