Graveley Preschool

Inspection of Graveley Preschool Graveley Village Hall, High Street, Graveley, HITCHIN, Hertfordshire SG4 7LB

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are eager to come into the setting. They separate from parents with ease and quickly become engaged in activities in the room. Each child has their own table with their drink and a chair for hanging their jumpers and cardigans. They access this independently through the day. This gives children a sense of belonging in the setting. Children enjoy playing together and actively seek each other out to play. This develops their social skills. Children are confident with visitors and enjoy talking to them about the toys they are playing with. This demonstrates how safe and secure the children feel in the setting, knowing their key persons are close by.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff praise children throughout the day. Children are praised for being kind to each other and for their achievements during activities. This helps to build their self-esteem. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. All children behave well. They share toys with each other with ease and staff are always on hand to support where needed. Children develop their independence skills throughout the day. They put on their own coats and aprons as well as peeling their own oranges at snack time.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff monitor children's progress well. They spend time with children when they start at the setting, getting to know them. This enables staff to support children's learning well. Staff offer a wide range of activities for all children. They extend children's interests and follow their lead when planning activities. Staff skilfully adapt activities to ensure they challenge the most-able children. However, on occasion, staff do not differentiate activities for the quieter and less able children. This often means that these children observe rather than join in with the activities. n Staff help children to develop their language skills. They listen to children and talk to them throughout the day. Children enjoy singing nursery rhymes. They are eager to listen to stories, and staff successfully read stories to children in a way which keeps them engaged. Children have time to respond to questions, which helps to develop their critical thinking skills. However, staff do not always

p.2

need to do better?

introduce a wider vocabulary into children's play to support the most-able children further with their language development. n Children's mathematical skills are developed throughout the setting. In the role- play area, they collect orders from each other and discuss how much money they owe. Children enjoy exploring and matching the correct dinosaur to the labels available. Staff discuss with children the features of the dinosaurs. For example, they count the number of horns on his head. n The manager and her team have very good relationships with other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or

p.2

need to do better?

26 April 2022 disabilities. Staff identify early when children may require additional support. They work together with professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for all children. These effective partnerships enable staff to meet children's individual needs. The manager is extremely passionate about meeting children's needs, and adaptions are quickly put into place when required. n The manager knows her families well. She understands each individual circumstance and works closely with her whole staff team to ensure that the needs that families come with are met. The manager works very closely with them to offer support and ensure they get the support they require. Parents comment that the team goes over and above to support them in their day to day lives. They are very complimentary of the communication they receive day-to- day and on their child's progress in their learning and development. n Staff feel well supported by the manager. A buddy system supports all staff with

p.2

need to do better?

their own reflective practice and professional development. The team completes regular training and cascade this down to others. This ensures the setting remains at a high standard. The manager regularly discusses individual performance, and staff observe each other to support improvement in practice. The manager ensures that staff well-being is a priority.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have good safeguarding knowledge. They understand the signs and symptoms of abuse and wider issues, such as female genital mutilation and 'Prevent' duty. Staff understand their responsibilities and know what to do if there was an allegation against a member of staff. They complete regular training to ensure their knowledge remains up to date. The manager ensures the ongoing suitability of all her staff team.

p.3

should:

n support staff to aid children in building their language skills to gain a wider vocabulary n develop the use of differentiation in teaching to ensure the youngest children are supported and remain engaged in activities.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2543061 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10215417 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person Hooper, Karen

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07595486473 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Graveley Preschool registered in 2019 and is located in Graveley, Hertfordshire. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff, three of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The pre-school operates from 9.15am to 3.15pm Monday to Friday, during term time only. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year old children.

p.4

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 the evaluations of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all the areas of the setting and discussed their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of suitability of the manager and her team.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

26 April 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6