North Star Preschool

Inspection of North Star Preschool The Scout Hut, Oxford Road North, London, Middlesex W4 4DH

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children settle at the pre-school very quickly, demonstrating that they feel happy and secure. They are greeted individually on arrival, as they eagerly enter the building and hang up their coats. The day starts with a well-organised and engaging register time. Children learn to wait their turn and follow the group rules, as uplifting morning songs are sung with exciting pop-up props. This leaves the children happy and ready to start the day. Children are motivated to make choices. For example, they collect and clear away their own bowls and cutlery at mealtimes, demonstrating high levels of independence before quickly becoming occupied in their chosen activity.

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The provision is good

As soon as the door opens to the garden, children excitedly access the range of equipment. They learn to take risks and develop their coordination as they carefully walk across the balancing beam and onto tree stumps without falling. They explore the natural surroundings as they carefully handle and learn about the worms they find while digging. Older children, with the support of staff, demonstrate problem- solving skills as they decide what tools are needed to get through harder areas of soil and how to transport it.

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need to do better?

n Staff form good bonds with their key children and get to know them very well. They plan a range of educational activities in accordance with the children's interests and development, making learning familiar and meaningful. They plan carefully for the children's next steps in learning and use effective teaching methods to help each child achieve their potential. For example, children with English as an additional language are given additional support and provided with fun games. This involves following the child's lead and listening carefully without interrupting. n Staff encourage children to care for their environment. For instance, they help clear away tables after snack times and when music is played children automatically stop what they are doing and happily dance and tidy up. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who receive additional funding are supported very well. Those who need it receive additional

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need to do better?

support and well-tailored experiences to help close gaps in their learning. For example, children needing support with developing their language are given consistent opportunities to hear and use spoken vocabulary through small-group games. n Children are taught about different cultures and the setting celebrates diversity. Staff find out about the cultures relevant to the children that attend and ensure their traditions are celebrated. The children explore the traditional food, music, dance and language of different countries.

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need to do better?

12 September 2022 n Behaviour in the setting is good because staff hold high expectations and act as good role models. Children show kindness and respect towards each other. For example, they praise their friends for counting as they place cereal hoops, one by one, on a stick of spaghetti. Children take part in fun activities and develop their imagination. They practise making different movements on paper including lines and circle motions using their fine-motor skills. These are then made into letters to take to the post office role-play area. n Staff work well together as a team and provide a positive environment. The manager supports their professional development by providing lots of different training. Self-evaluation is of great importance and managers regularly observe performance. Positive recommendations for improvement are made regarding practice, ensuring that a good quality setting is maintained.

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need to do better?

n Staff help the children make their own play dough and investigate the different colours and textures. The children enthusiastically explore the different tools, such as rolling pins, paper cases, baking trays and cutters to make cakes. They demonstrate very good concentration skills and stay at activities for extended periods. This allows them to practise and refine their skills. n Staff encourage children to be physically active outdoors. Children develop control and coordination. For example, they use a range of tools as they dig and transport mud in the nature corner. However, not all areas of the garden are thoroughly checked carefully beforehand and some of the equipment was very wet and dirty on the day of the inspection.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The pre-school takes safeguarding children and families as being of the utmost importance. The environment both inside and outside is secure and there are measures in place to keep children safe. Staff understand the signs of abuse and monitor children well. They know the process to follow if they are concerned a child is at risk of abuse or if they have concerns about other members of staff. Training is provided to ensure their knowledge is up to date and recruitment procedures are robust.

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should:

n maintain and check the equipment in the garden to ensure it is suitable and ready for children to use.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2540130 Local authority Hounslow Inspection number 10215336 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 27 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person North Star Preschool Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07940072486 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

North Star Preschool Limited registered in 2019. The pre-school is in Chiswick, in the London Borough of Hounslow. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, during term time only, from 9.15am until 12.15pm and 12.15pm until 3.15pm. One of the managers holds early years professional status and the other has an early years qualification at level 4.

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Inspection activities

n This is the first routine inspection the childminder has 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 A range of documents was viewed by the inspector, including qualification certificates, public liability insurance and a paediatric first-aid qualification. n A meeting was held between the inspector and manager to discuss the provider's arrangements for self-evaluation, safe recruitment and staff suitability. n A discussion was carried out between the inspector and the manager to evaluate the organisation, quality and experiences provided. n A tour of the premises was completed by the inspector and the manager. n Parents' views were gained by the inspector. The inspector took these into account.

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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

12 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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