Leaside Under Fives Kindergarten

Inspection of Leaside Under Fives Kindergarten Leaside Church Hall, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9BT

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and separate from their parents with ease. They behave well and develop positive attitudes to their learning. The well-organised environment promotes their natural curiosity and eagerness to learn. Children are confident and interact well with staff. Overall, children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress.

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The provision is good

Children develop good independence skills in a variety of ways. They are learning to be self-sufficient in meeting their own hygiene needs. They prepare themselves effectively for the outdoor environment and tidy away after themselves once they have finished in their play and exploration. Children are encouraged to make their own choices in their play according to their individual interests.

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The provision is good

Staff are positive role models and children are polite and kind. They are caring towards each other and play together happily. Children are understanding of other children's differing needs and abilities. All children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills and learn to move in different ways. This includes enjoying dance and outdoor play.

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need to do better?

n Staff work well together as an effective team. They meet regularly to review children's progress and achievements. Leaders provide staff with a clear curriculum that helps children to build on what they already know and can do. Staff plan experiences to support what children need to know next, considering their individual stage of learning and emerging interests. n The manager and staff have a good understanding of each child, their families, and their individual needs. Staff have systems in place to obtain children's starting points on entering the pre-school and can talk confidently about their key children's likes, dislikes and abilities. n Staff encourage children to take an active part in their own self-care. For example, they support young children to begin using the toilet and model how to wash their hands effectively. Children learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles and good oral health. Staff work with parents to promote healthy

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need to do better?

packed lunches, drinks and snacks. n Children explore their own uniqueness. Staff promote inclusion and avoid gender stereotyping when planning activities. For example, staff learn about family cultures from parents and reflect this in pre-school life. Children learn about cultures different from their own by taking part in a wide range of cultural celebrations across the year. n Overall, children benefit from engaging interactions with staff. Staff offer a narrative to children's play and encourage them to participate in action songs

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need to do better?

14 October 2022 and rhymes, helping to promote their language skills. However, some staff do not give children enough time to think and respond to questions before moving on to something new. n Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. Children receive praise and encouragement when they are kind and helpful, such as putting away their toys. This promotes their confidence and gives them a sense of achievement. n Children with SEND receive good support. For example, the setting has robust relationships with partner professionals. This helps create a consistent approach to children's development. However, staff do not have enough information about children who speak more than one language. At times, staff are not sure about the language spoken when children are at home to be able to fully support their overall development and understanding of themselves. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents speak highly of the pre-school and

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need to do better?

the service it provides. Staff support children well when they join new rooms at the pre-school or move on to the next stage in their learning. n The manager ensures that rigorous recruitment procedures and robust induction systems are in place for new staff. These help to maintain high standards and consistent quality throughout the pre-school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All adults are aware of their duty to safeguard children. Staff have completed relevant safeguarding training, including that of wider issues, such as female genital mutilation, the 'Prevent' duty and radicalisation. Staff are aware of the signs of abuse and neglect and understand what they must do should they have a concern regarding a child or colleague. The manager ensures that staff remain suitable to work with children. Staff make sure that effective risk assessments are completed on a regular basis to ensure the premises are safe and secure.

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should:

n review ways for staff to provide consistent support to children who are learning to speak English as an additional language, to help them to communicate their thoughts and needs n support staff to give children the time and opportunity to respond to questions, to promote their developing critical thinking skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY446779 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10235774 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 38 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person Leaside Under Fives Kindergarten Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01920 485502 Date of previous inspection 21 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Leaside Under Fives Kindergarten registered in 2012 and is situated in Ware, Hertfordshire. The kindergarten employs seven members of childcare staff, six of whom hold childcare qualifications at level 3. One staff member holds qualified teacher status. The kindergarten opens Monday to Friday from 9am until 3pm during term time. The kindergarten provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 setting. n The manager and the inspector carried out a learning walk together in the pre- school and discussed how they intend to implement the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector throughout the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through discussions. n The inspector reviewed the evidence of staff's suitability.

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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

14 October 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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