Headstart Pre School

Inspection of Headstart Pre school Headstart Preschool, Flat 1 Darenth Lane, South Ockendon, Essex RM15 5LY

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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

Staff provide children with warm and nurturing interactions. They have a good understanding of children's interests and how to support their learning and development. The activities and resources on offer are adapted to suit the children in attendance. For example, children have recently been interested in their families. Therefore, staff provide activities where the children can role play and discuss their families. They have photographs of different types of homes and discuss what their houses look like. Staff have thoughtful conversations about their families and people who are familiar to them.

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The provision is good

Children are provided with lots of opportunities to make their own choices and to be independent. Children select their own snack and pour their own water and milk. Children have their own pegs with their photograph and name, which gives them a sense of belonging. They choose their own resources, inside and outside, and know where they are stored. Children are happy at the pre-school. They play well with each other and share resources. Children's behaviour is good, and they follow rules and routines well.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have a vision for the pre-school and high expectations of what they want the children to learn. They support the children to be independent, resilient, and creative. For example, the children are introduced to fresh flowers, where they are encouraged to make their own posy in the play dough. They skilfully place the flowers into the dough, designing their own arrangements. Staff praise them and children are proud of their achievements, building on their well-being. n Children are encouraged to be independent and make their own choices. Opportunities for learning are available, both inside and outside. Staff know their key children well and provide a sequenced curriculum based on their interests. They challenge the children, encouraging them to learn to self-regulate, manage their emotions, discuss their feelings, and resolve their own conflicts. However, at times the environment is too noisy to enable children to listen carefully and

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need to do better?

concentrate on what they are doing. n The manager is reflective of the learning environment. She reviews how children access areas of the environment and how to make resources more accessible. She ensures children have room and space to play and explore. Children have opportunities to hide objects in the sand. They use tweezers to retrieve the objects, building their hand muscles and developing their hand-to-eye coordination. n Children make good progress from their starting points, particularly children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The special educational needs

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need to do better?

10 November 2022 coordinator (SENCo) is an asset to the pre-school. She sensitively supports the children and has high expectations of what the children can achieve. She provides stimulating and targeted activities, working closely with parents and other professionals, to meet children's individual needs. The SENCo builds on what the children already know and prepares them for the next stage of their learning. n Staff work closely with parents, informing them of what the children are learning, so this can be continued at home. Parents are kept updated about their child's progress and next steps. Parents state that they feel fully included. The key persons are on hand to welcome the children in the morning and available to provide feedback at the end of the day. Parents value this time and interaction. n Children learn how to care for, and respect themselves. They are becoming independent and develop their self-care skills, such as blowing their own noses,

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need to do better?

handwashing, and toilet training. n Staff help children to understand mathematical concepts. They encourage children to use size language, such as 'bigger, smaller, more' or 'less'. Staff use songs and rhymes to introduce numbers and encourage the children to count along with them. Children are creative and imagine they are the teacher as they lead singing time, encouraging their friends to join in. n Staff introduce children to new and more complex vocabulary. For example, when playing with the play dough, children describe the shape of the dough, and staff carefully repeat what they say back, using more descriptive language.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of safeguarding and how to keep children safe. They are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the local risks in their community. The manager has a good recruitment procedure and ensures all staff have an induction. Staff are aware of how to report an allegation against a member of staff. Staff attend regular meetings, which helps to support their knowledge on safeguarding and ensure it is up to date. The manager carries out regular risk assessments to minimise risks and maintain the children's safety.

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should:

n manage the environment more effectively to help children to remain focused and to concentrate on their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2588103 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10251164 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Headstart Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01708 556016 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Headstart Pre school registered in 2020. The pre-school employs two members of childcare staff, both of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications, one at level 3 and one at level 6. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday term time only. Sessions are from 8.45 am until 11.45am, and 12.15pm until 3.15pm. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of early education for two-, 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 manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Staff and children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of an activity. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector.

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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

10 November 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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