Datchworth Pre-School

Inspection of Datchworth Pre-School Datchworth Village Hall, 52 Datchworth Green, Datchworth, Hertfordshire SG3 6TL

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive with enthusiasm to start their day at this warm and caring pre- school. They demonstrate self-confidence as they leave their parents independently. Children show close attachments to their key persons. They excitedly share their news from home with the nurturing, kind staff.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff value children as individuals from the moment they start. They work closely with families to ensure a smooth transition. Staff find out about children's likes and dislikes and their current interests. They build these interests into their curriculum. For example, a child's recent passion for cooking is built into the role-play area with recipes from home. Staff value parents contributions and set up a partnership from the beginning. Parents start the children's learning journals with photographs and information from home. These close partnerships ensure the best possible outcomes for children.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well. They mirror the manners and kindness demonstrated by staff. Children enjoy the routine of the day and take part in a balance of child-led and adult-directed activities. For example, older children demonstrate their good concentration skills as they use dough to take part in a music session. This helps to develop fine motor strength and coordination.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff know the children well and have a good understanding of child development. They assess children thoroughly and plan their next steps in learning to ensure each child continues to make progress. Staff use children's interests to plan activities for them. However, staff do not always consider the progression of skills and knowledge that they want children to learn next. n Children with a special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. They have an individual plan with specific, achievable targets. These targets include relevant strategies and resources to help children make progress, such as objects of reference or picture cards. The setting is inclusive and staff ensure children feel welcome and settled. n Children have regular access to outside play and fresh air. They delight as they play games with one another and staff. This helps to develop children's language development and turn-taking skills. Children have opportunities to develop their

p.2

need to do better?

climbing and pedaling skills. n Partnership with parents is very strong. Parents comment on the dedication and passion of the experienced, kind staff. They comment that, 'their children are nurtured and cared for in exemplary manner'. Parents say that, 'their children have benefitted from the wisdom, guidance and the careful planning of activities that staff offer'. They value the excellent communication, including information

p.2

need to do better?

26 January 2023 about the curriculum, so that they can support their children's learning at home. n Children are given opportunities to use their imagination during activities. For example, they create pictures using a selection of materials and they enthusiastically take part in music sessions, playing their instruments as they sing along. n The management team are in the early stages of leading the team. They have a clear, ambitious vision to ensure the pre-school continues to make improvements, to provide the best possible care and education for children. The staff are enthusiastic, passionate and polite. They are reflective and positive about making changes to improve their practice further. n Children are encouraged to be independent. For example, they learn to put on their own coats. Staff are in the process of making alterations to the learning environment to provide more opportunities for children to make choices over

p.2

need to do better?

resources and toys. n Staff take children on visits in their local community. They visit the allotment and walk to the green. This develops children's understanding of the natural world. Family picnics are arranged, which helps to strengthen the partnership between the staff, children and families. However, children are not always offered opportunities to discuss similarities and differences between themselves and others.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff view children's safety as highly important. They complete daily risk assessments to ensure that the indoor and outdoor learning environment is kept as safe as possible. Staff are confident to identify the signs and symptoms of abuse. They are clear about the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare. Staff attend regular safeguarding training to ensure their skills and knowledge are up to date. The committee have robust recruitment procedures in place and ongoing checks are completed, to help to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

p.3

should:

n support staff to coherently plan and sequence the curriculum, so that teaching is focused on the skills and knowledge children need to learn next n strengthen opportunities for children to learn about cultural diversity in the wider world, to ensure they develop an understanding and tolerance of one another in modern Britain.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 146430 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10264017 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Datchworth Pre-School Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01438 814310 Date of previous inspection 19 May 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Datchworth Pre-School registered in 1994 and is located in Datchworth, Hertfordshire. It employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from 9am until 1pm, Monday and Friday and from 9am until 2.45pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, term time only. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 observed the quality of teaching and the interactions between staff and children, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of the pre- school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The manager and the inspector conducted a joint observation of an activity, and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n The inspector talked to parents and read written feedback, and took their views into consideration. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times and considered their views.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

26 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.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6