Lysander Preschool

Inspection of Lysander Preschool Barnwood Close, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 7HE

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled. They are made to feel very welcome by the nurturing staff. Children new to the setting are given the extra attention they need to join in and enjoy all that is on offer. Children receive clear and encouraging guidance as they learn to manage their emotions and learn about acceptable behaviour. Most children behave extremely well. They show considerate behaviour towards each other and cooperate well with requests. Staff calmly and kindly support those children who need a little extra help to understand what is expected of them. As a result of this good practice, the atmosphere is happy, calm and purposeful.

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The provision is good

Children take part in a range of well-planned and inviting activities that meet their developmental needs well. There is a clear purpose to the activities planned, and staff use them very well to model language. Children are introduced to a wide range of words that relate to what they are doing or can see. This effectively extends their vocabulary. Children also take part in lots of activities that support all aspects of their physical development. They have daily opportunities to use climbing equipment and wheeled toys. They develop their fine-motor skills as they explore water, sand and threading. This helps children develop the muscle control they will need for later writing.

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need to do better?

n The manager has clearly identified the skills and knowledge that are most important to children at this stage of their learning journey. Learning experiences are then planned with this in mind alongside a consideration of children's interests. The good-quality teaching from all staff means that by the time children leave for school they are prepared well for the move. n Staff deliver a programme of learning that helps children develop the listening and attention skills they need to be ready for other learning. Staff deliver this programme very skilfully. Children respond by developing good levels of attention and focus. They also show they very much enjoy these group times. n Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to provide the extra support some children may need to reach their full potential. They adapt the environment and activities to ensure all children can make the most out of their

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need to do better?

time at pre-school. This results in children feeling fully included and very welcome. n Children use resources with care and purpose. This is because staff are very attentive and join in their play to help them do so. For example, staff join children in a pretend game of 'going to the hairdressers'. They recognise that for some children this may be a new experience and so they show them how to use the resources and model the language they need to play imaginatively.

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need to do better?

16 September 2022 n Staff formally monitor children's progress. However, they do not always make the best use of opportunities to assess learning as children play. For example, although they model lots of really useful and interesting language, they do not use their conversations with children to skilfully evaluate the words and phrases children are remembering and understanding. n Children are keen to take part in what is on offer. This is because the staff are good role models, showing the children the fun to be had. It is also because the resources and activities are matched well to their interests and needs. This helps children develop well into curious and inquisitive learners. n Staff incorporate some aspects of technology into their teaching. For example, they show children how to use programmable toys. They have not yet considered way to extend this so that children learn, in age-appropriate ways,

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need to do better?

how to stay safe when using digital technology. n Staff understand the importance to children's physical development and good health of energetic play and exercise. To enable this, staff put aside time each day when the focus outside is on this. n Partnerships between parents and staff are warm and professional. Staff provide parents with lots of ideas and resources to further build on children's learning at home. For example, they send links to useful resources to build on children's knowledge of their own and other's cultures.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their responsibility to keep children safe. The manager ensures all staff undergo regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff understand the signs that could indicate that children are at risk of harm. They understand the risks to children of being exposed to extreme views or domestic violence. Staff know how to report any concerns, including how to escalate beyond the manager if they are not happy with any action she plans to take. The manager follows robust recruitment procedures and carries out thorough checks to ensure the suitability of those she employs to work with children.

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should:

n focus support for staff on developing their skills in identifying and assessing learning during children's self-chosen play and exploration n plan and deliver a programme of learning about the safe use of technology, to build further on children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 139137 Local authority Hillingdon Inspection number 10128386 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 16 Number of children on roll 17

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Name of registered person

Royal Air Force Northolt Lysander Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07488 580901 Date of previous inspection 12 May 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Lysander Preschool registered in 1993. It is located in Ruislip, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 12.30pm, during term time only. The provider receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs four members of childcare staff, three of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one at level 2.

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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 her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n Parents shared their views, and the inspector took these into account. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager to find out about the leadership and management of the setting.

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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

16 September 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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