Fingerprints Pre-School

Inspection of Fingerprints Pre-School Adeyfield Free Church Centre, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 4GZ

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 Requires improvement

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and confident in this warm and nurturing environment. They are eager to learn and swiftly engage in a range of stimulating activities that reflects their interests and previous experiences. Children are imaginative and pretend to be a dentist. They welcome staff's sensitive interaction in their play. This motivates them to talk about when and how they clean their teeth at home. Group time is a positive experience when staff provide children with a strong sense of belonging.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are incredibly independent because staff invest time in helping them to learn how to manage their self-care and personal needs. Children enjoy the familiarity of the routines. They behave well and respond extremely well to requests, such as lining up sensibly in readiness to go and wash their hands before mealtimes. Children welcome many opportunities to carry out responsibilities. They have a wonderful time as they show good control of musical instruments, playing slowly, quickly and loudly to accompany the manager, who plays their chosen songs on the piano. Outdoors, children observe builders working and learn about their occupation. A richly resourced construction area inspires children to stack foam bricks and balance planks of wood.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager and staff are reflective and have worked hard to improve the provision they offer since their last inspection. They have a secure understanding of the individual needs of children attending. Staff implement an ambitious sequenced curriculum with an appropriate level of challenge. Their prime focus is to swiftly close any gaps in children's learning. This ensures children gain the essential skills and knowledge they need to succeed. n Staff gather a wealth of information from parents about what their children know and can do when they first begin attending. They use this information well to identify and plan what children need to learn next. Home visits are offered to all children and families to help staff prioritise the experiences they offer children and to aid the creation of early, secure relationships. n Staff receive good opportunities to continue to build on their knowledge and skills that are targeted at meeting the specific needs of children attending. They

p.2

need to do better?

share the new knowledge they gain from training with all staff to support a consistent approach. Overall, recent training to support children's communication and language has had a positive impact on promoting children's speaking skills. However, not all children who speak English as an additional language are supported as effectively. Staff do not consistently promote children's home language to fully support their language development. n Staff provide an inclusive environment where children with special educational

p.2

need to do better?

6 February 2023 needs and/or disabilities are effectively supported. Staff have a secure knowledge of children's specific learning requirements and work in partnership with external agencies and parents to help them to make good progress in relation to their starting points. n Promoting children's health is a clear priority. Staff plan and sequence activities for children over time to reinforce the importance of keeping their teeth and bodies healthy. Children are provided with healthy snacks, and staff talk to them about the benefits of the food they eat. Children benefit from fresh air during regular times in the outdoor area. They thoroughly enjoy dancing to music and have a go at creating different movements with their body. However, staff provide too much equipment outdoors. This compromises the amount of space available for them to fully participate and build on their physical skills. n Staff embed emotional literacy into everyday activities. This supports children to

p.2

need to do better?

understand and talk about their feelings and how their behaviour can affect others. Staff are positive role models. They value children's contributions and treat them with great respect. n Parent partnerships are a particular strength. This contributes to high levels of continuity in children's care and learning. Parents can borrow resources and books from the lending library to help continue to support children's progress at home and foster their love of books. Parents speak fondly about the staff team and comment how they feel very well supported, particularly during changes in their children's lives.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a secure understanding of how to keep children safe. All receive regular safeguarding training to keep up to date with any changes in legislation or procedures. Staff speak knowledgeably about the 'Prevent' duty and wider safeguarding issues that are relevant to the local area. Staff are clear about their roles in reporting child protection concerns, and they understand the whistle- blowing policy. The manager implements strong recruitment to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. There are robust measures in place to ensure that children are only collected by authorised individuals.

p.3

should:

n provide opportunities for children who speak English as an additional language to hear and use their home language to further support their communication skills n strengthen the planning of the outdoor area to provide children more space to fully develop their physical skills.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2567293 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10247902 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person Fingerprints Education

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07745047599 Date of previous inspection 23 June 2022

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Fingerprints Pre-School registered in 2020 and is situated in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The pre-school is open from 8.30am until 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. There are six staff members who work directly with the children; all of whom hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 3 or above. The pre- school 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 and manager completed a learning walk across all the areas of the setting to understand how the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of an activity was carried out by the inspector and the manager. The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day.

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

6 February 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