Hind Leys Pre-school and Natural Play Centre

Inspection of Hind Leys Pre-school and Natural Play Centre Mobile No 2, Forest Street, Shepshed, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 9DB

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in this magical setting. They develop strong attachments with their key person, which helps children to feel safe, secure and ready to learn. Children have a voice in the setting. For example, they share ideas, choose the activities they want to participate in and make collective decisions about the routines of the day.

p.2

The provision is good

Outdoor play is an integral part of children's experiences while in the setting. Pre- school children take part in regular activities linked to forest school. They learn about keeping themselves safe, taking manageable risks and having the freedom to explore the natural environment. Children manoeuvre their bodies between logs and branches, calling for their friends to set them free. Other children use their imagination and work together to build a campfire. They huddle around as they thread leaves onto twigs to represent marshmallows. Younger children also benefit from the enabling outdoor environment. Babies grin and giggle as they splash in puddles. They show great perseverance in negotiating their way over a bridge by crawling or walking.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave exceptionally well. They contribute to the rules of the setting and demonstrate a clear understanding of them. For example, older children respectfully remind younger children of the expectations. Children work together well and undertake tricky tasks. They help each other to find solutions, which helps to develop children's confidence, promoting a 'can-do' attitude.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager and staff have made improvements since the last inspection. They have all completed safeguarding training. This has improved their knowledge and understanding of identifying and reporting any concerns about a child's welfare. The manager has made changes to the setting's safeguarding policy. It clearly states what action to take should there be an allegation made against a member of staff. n Children show high levels of confidence in their independence skills, such as putting on their coats and boots. They are proud to take part in daily routines, such as being 'special helpers' for the day. The 'special helpers' ring the bell to alert children that it is time for the next part of their routine. They support their peers at snack time and choose children to go and play with by giving them a 'high five'. n Staff find out about experiences children have had before starting at the setting. This helps them to understand what children already know and can do.

p.2

need to do better?

However, staff do not always use this information well enough to plan for children's learning from the outset.

p.2

need to do better?

5 January 2023 n Parents have lots of positive things to say about the setting. They comment that they feel privileged for their children to attend. Parents appreciate the beneficial experiences their children receive through forest school activities and the outdoor learning approach. They share that staff keep them up to date with their child's progress and know their child's next steps. However, staff do not consistently share ideas with parents to help them support their children's learning at home. n Children's communication and language development is well supported. Staff continually model and extend children's vocabulary. Children develop a love of books from an early age. Staff skilfully read stories to children that keep them engrossed from start to finish. Children use recall skills to remember what happens next and finish the staff member's sentences. They chant, 'super worm is super long and super strong', as they stretch their arms and flex their arm

p.2

need to do better?

muscles. n Staff have a clear curriculum intent for the setting and implement activities based on children's interests. For instance, children show an interest in malleable play. They experience playing with clay and add water to it. Children are fascinated as the texture changes, and they let the clay ooze through their fingers before moulding it into their creations. This helps children to develop their small-muscle skills and hand-eye coordination in readiness for future writing. n Children are extremely well behaved and are consistently praised by staff for acts of kindness and achievements. This fills the children with great self-esteem. Even the youngest children are confident and eager to share their experiences with their friends, staff and visitors. For example, children tell visitors what activities they like and who is their special friend at the setting. n Management values the staff and places great emphasis on their well-being and

p.3

need to do better?

professional development. Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings and training. This gives the staff confidence in their roles and enables them to progress in their career. Staff comment that they have manageable workloads and are happy working in the setting.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Since the last inspection, the manager and staff have worked hard to improve safeguarding procedures. Additional training sessions have been held with the staff team to ensure they understand their responsibilities to keep children safe. The manager has reviewed the setting's safeguarding policy and made the necessary changes. Staff are confident about recognising the possible signs that a child may be at risk. They know how to report concerns about children's welfare. The manager and staff are clear about the procedures to follow if they have concerns about the suitability of a colleague. Staff are vigilant about children's safety and skilled at enabling them to learn to assess risk for themselves.

p.3

should:

n strengthen systems already in place for establishing children's developmental starting points and learning from the outset n improve strategies for sharing activity ideas with parents so that they can support children's learning at home even further.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY221912 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10249551 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 104 Name of registered person Hind Leys Pre-School Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01509 508731 Date of previous inspection 7 July 2022

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Hind Leys Pre-school and Natural Play Centre registered in 2002. It is situated in the grounds of Iveshead School, Shepshed, Loughborough, Leicestershire and is independently run from the school. The setting employs 21 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above and five hold qualified teacher status. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 5pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk together. The inspector spoke with the manager to gain an understanding of their curriculum intent. n The inspector joined the manager on a visit to a local woodland. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector completed joint observations with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

5 January 2023 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7