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 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

Children arrive at the pre-school and are happily greeted by the friendly staff team. They hang their coats and bags on their pegs independently. Children proudly speak about the sticker charts that they have at home when staff ask them. Children enjoy the nutritious meals that staff provide for them. They receive positive support and praise from staff when they try new foods.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and negotiate with others successfully. For instance, they discuss with one another how to take turns with the same toy. They kindly pass the toy to their friend when they have finished. Children are helpful. They work together to tidy toys away.

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The provision is good

Children learn about numbers and counting. They all count the slices of apple together at the snack table. Older children confidently share their knowledge of mathematical concepts. They recognise how many slices of apple make up a half and a quarter.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy listening to stories, which staff tailor to their age and stage of development. For instance, younger children work in a small group looking at story sacks. Older children sit together and look at a large book with staff. They share their ideas, for example when they make predictions about what will happen next in the story.

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need to do better?

n The established team of staff work well together and feel supported in their roles. They attend training courses. These focus on the children's learning and developmental needs. Much of this training takes place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as courses to support children's personal and emotional development. Staff use this training to reflect on the provision they offer. For instance, they adapt the layout of the indoor learning environment. This enables staff to become more deeply involved in children's learning. n Staff plan activities based on children's interests. They respond promptly to children's experiences, such as when they visit the farm with their families. Children make choices about which activities they complete. For example, children choose to draw pictures of farm equipment after looking at books about farms and animals. This helps them to remain focused and motivated as they

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need to do better?

lead their own learning. n Managers and staff meet regularly to reflect on the provision and discuss children's progress. They have acted swiftly to address the actions set following the previous inspection. Members of the committee complete a thorough process before taking up their roles. This includes ensuring that Ofsted is able to check

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need to do better?

28 June 2022 their suitability. n Staff know the children and their families well. They gather information on children's development before they start. This helps staff to plan activities to support children's individual needs. Managers form strong bonds with the parents of the children who attend. They offer them guidance with any issues that arise, such as children's eating and behaviour management. This helps to provide children with consistent messages about what adults expect from them, both at home and at the pre-school. n Children receive strong support to prepare for their move to school. They accompany the staff to the on-site main school building to visit their new classrooms. This is particularly beneficial for children who may struggle with the transition, such as those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff invite class teachers to visit the children at the pre-school. This helps children to

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need to do better?

begin to form relationships with their new teachers, supporting a smooth transition when they leave the pre-school. n Staff provide younger children with challenging activities. For instance, children focus and persevere as they work together to complete a puzzle. They take time to turn each piece around to see where it fits, concentrating well. However, staff do not provide the most able children with the same level of challenge. For example, staff pre-cut circles for children to decorate as they create medals for sports day. They thread string through holes, instead of encouraging children to do these things for themselves. This contributes towards the most able children not progressing as quickly as possible in their learning and development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff know how to recognise the signs of abuse and neglect. They complete regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge up to date. Managers have implemented systems to monitor children's welfare, for example when children arrive with pre-existing injuries. They regularly discuss information regarding this with staff. This helps them to identify and report any concerns swiftly to the relevant agencies. Managers check staff's suitability regularly. Staff are confident in the process they should follow if they have any concerns regarding colleagues.

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should:

n support staff to make the most of every opportunity to extend the most able children's learning so that they can make even more rapid progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY396055 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10231620 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 24 February 2022

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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 and one administrative member of staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 8am until 3pm on Tuesday to Thursday and from 8am until 1pm on Monday and Friday. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-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 manager and the inspector completed a learning walk where they discussed the curriculum and the manager explained what they want children to learn. n The inspector and the manager jointly observed staff's interactions with children. They discussed the impact of these interactions on children's learning and development. n The inspector held discussions with parents, children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She took their views and opinions into consideration. n The inspector viewed documentation, including suitability documents and accident and injury records.

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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

28 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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