Harebreaks Preschool

Inspection of Harebreaks Preschool North Watford Methodist Church, The Harebreaks, WATFORD WD24 6NF

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

There are significant weaknesses in the leadership and management of the pre- school. At times, these have a negative impact children's welfare. This is particularly evident in the management team's approach to behaviour management. Children are repeatedly told off and staff make little effort to develop children's understanding of why certain behaviours are inappropriate. Staff do not support children to learn about the effect their behaviour has on others. They use physical intervention to resolve disputes and manage disruptive behaviour. On occasion, staff move children away by their arms or hands to diffuse situations. Furthermore, when children do cooperate with one another well in activities, it is not recognised by staff. This does not support children's well-being.

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The provision is inadequate

Children miss out on learning opportunities because staff are not deployed effectively. Specific resources are not freely accessible for children to explore. For example, various art and craft materials are kept out of children's reach. The manager explains that some messy activities are not available because certain children do not use them appropriately. This means they cannot make choices in their play and this has an impact on all children's learning and development.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite this, children are eager to explore a variety of resources indoors, and in the secure garden area. The management team and staff plan activities that children enjoy. However, they do not consider children's individual learning needs when planning the environment. Children are not challenged and staff do not build on what children already know.

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need to do better?

n Although children enjoy a variety of healthy fruits, snack time is not managed effectively. Children eat snack in small groups and the manager explains this is because children misbehave when they all eat together. Staff do not support children to develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour during mealtimes. Furthermore, some children who do not usually eat snack are excluded entirely. This does not support their understanding of healthy eating or prepare them for the routines of school. n Some staff know their key children well. They are aware of their interests, strengths, and next steps. However, staff do not consistently make use of this knowledge to further support children's development during activities. For example, children correctly identify all the letters of the alphabet on a puzzle. Key staff make no attempt to build on this observation or extend children's learning. n A high proportion of children who attend the pre-school speak English as an

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need to do better?

additional language. Staff have limited and inconsistent knowledge of children's

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need to do better?

21 June 2022 home language. They do not engage effectively with parents to gather information, such as key words. This does not support children's speech and language development. n Children enjoy taking part in group activities. They are keen to discover the objects hidden in a plastic container. They sing the activity song, which they recall from previous occasions. However, staff are not consistent in their expectations of children's behaviour. They do not remind all children to sit down when they wander off, and only some children are allowed to touch the objects. This gives mixed messages and does not support children's understanding of appropriate behaviour. n Children with additional needs are not routinely included in activities. For example, in group sessions, they are left to explore other activities. Some children are frequently left to play without adult interaction for long periods of time. Staff only intervene when children's play is disrupted by other's

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need to do better?

inappropriate behaviour and they become distressed. n The manager conducts formal appraisals on all staff. She uses the information gathered to identify additional training opportunities. However, she does not persevere in pursuing all training options, such as using online opportunities when face-to-face training is not possible. Current methods for coaching and mentoring staff are insufficient. The manager does not support staff in identifying areas for development to help raise the quality of their practice. n Staff support children's physical development. They practise their small-muscle skills cutting fruit up for their snack. Children develop their large-muscle skills, riding bicycles and rolling hoops in the enclosed outdoor area. n Parents say they are happy with the pre-school. They tell the inspector that their children enjoy attending. Parents like the newsletters they receive each week and the photos they get of their children completing activities.

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need to do better?

n Children help themselves to water during periods of outdoor play and at snack time. However, they do not have access to fresh drinking water at any other point during the session. Any drinks brought from home are kept in their bags and out of reach. This does not support children's good health.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Inappropriate behaviour management strategies mean children's safety is compromised. The management team and staff frequently use disproportionate levels of physical intervention, when children display unwanted behaviour, to move them to another part of the room. Furthermore, they do not recognise this as a safeguarding concern. The management team and staff complete essential first-aid and safeguarding training within the specified time scales. Staff carry out daily checks and risk assessments to ensure that the premises remain safe and secure. Systems are in place to ensure the suitability of staff who have regular contact with children.

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Due date

ensure staff manage children's behaviour appropriately 19/07/2022

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Due date

keep a record of any occasion where physical intervention is used, and ensure parents and/or carers are informed on the same day 19/07/2022

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Due date

ensure fresh drinking water is available and accessible to children at all times 19/07/2022

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Due date

ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for staff supervision, and provide coaching and support to improve their practice and personal effectiveness 19/07/2022

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Due date

support staff to use their knowledge of children gained from observations and assessments when interacting with children during activities 19/07/2022

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Due date

gather accurate information about children's home language to support their communication skills, and where necessary provide opportunities for children to use their home language in play and learning 19/07/2022

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Due date

ensure all children, particularly those with additional needs, are fully included in all activities and routines. 19/07/2022

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Due date

improve the quality of teaching and provide a range of interesting and stimulating activities that meets individual children's learning needs and focus on what they need to learn next to secure their good progress. 19/07/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY227780 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10234652 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Wright, Karen Dawn

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reference number

Telephone number 07779207278 Date of previous inspection 23 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Harebreaks Preschool registered in 1973. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from 9am to 12.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. The pre-school provides funded education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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 inspector considered the views of parents by speaking to several during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all staff. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and manager completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with staff about the monitoring of learning and development in the pre-school and tracked the progress of several children.

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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

21 June 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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