The Hermitage Pre-School

Inspection of The Hermitage Pre- School The Hermitage, Wilford Road, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire NG11 6EL

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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 and bang on the door, eager to enter this friendly, caring pre- school. They wave to their friends and ask, 'Do you want to play with me?' Activities quickly captivate children's interest. Children become excited to make sandcastles. They work together to find objects hidden in sand. Younger children link train tracks together and line up their favourite engines. Older children use their imaginations to pretend to be teachers. They walk around with clipboards and hold up alphabet cards to 'test' their friends. Children notice letters of their name and remark, 'That is a curly c.'

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The provision is good

Children are very happy and self-confident. They make firm friendships and show real affection towards each other. They hold hands and give each other spontaneous hugs. Routines help children to feel safe and secure. Children stand still when they hear bells ringing and explain that it is tidy-up time. They line up to go outside and know the importance of holding on to 'snake ropes' to ensure their safety. Staff give clear instructions and advice. For example, they model and explain how to pour drinks and chop fruit at snack times. This helps children to develop confidence and proficiency in learning new skills.

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need to do better?

n Staff implement a well-sequenced curriculum that is based on children's interests. There is a strong focus on supporting children to develop the skills they will need for the next stage in their learning. Planning embeds children's prime areas of development and any gaps are quickly identified. As a result, children make good progress from their starting points. n Children show kindness and consideration. Older children are caring towards younger children. They help them to put on their coats and explain how to thread cereal shapes onto dried spaghetti. When there are minor disputes, children find their own resolutions. For example, children play with footballs and say, 'Shall we take turns with the blue ball?' Staff are excellent role models and reinforce positive behaviour at every opportunity. They frequently praise children and tell them 'good sharing'. n Staff are kind and know children very well. This helps children to settle quickly.

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need to do better?

Children demonstrate strong bonds with staff. They wrap their arms around staff affectionately and climb onto their laps to share books. Staff give timely reassurance. For example, children use scissors to snip boxes. Staff encourage them to keep trying and tell them, 'You can do it.' This helps to support children's confidence and resilience. n Children enjoy long periods playing outside. This helps to promote their good health. Older children initiate their own chasing games. Younger children press toy cars into soil. They peer closely to see patterns forming. Staff engage

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need to do better?

19 July 2023 children in physical activities. For example, they set up football nets and show children how to score goals. n Children use numbers and counting in their play. Younger children count animals they see in books. Older children pretend to be shopkeepers. They tell each other, 'That is 20 pence' and 'The shop closes at 4 o'clock.' Staff ask questions to extend children's learning. For example, children trace over numbers. Staff ask which numbers come next in the sequence. n Parents say that they feel grateful to have found the pre-school. They describe how it provides the 'best start' for their children. Parents appreciate the wide range of activities provided and comment that their children are making 'astounding' progress. They value how staff offer support with wider aspects of their children's development, such as toilet training. n The manager is an effective leader. She drives forward improvement with clear

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need to do better?

sight and ambition. She nurtures a culture of professional development and well- being for staff, who benefit from regular supervision meetings. As a result, staff feel valued and report high levels of morale. n Staff provide a wide range of stimulating learning experiences for children. However, children's concentration and attention skills are not always fully promoted. Staff do not consider the impact of distractions caused by avoidable interruptions. For example, children's nappies are changed during story sessions.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a secure understanding of safeguarding. They know the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and show an awareness of wider safeguarding issues, such as witchcraft and radicalisation. Staff access regular training and understand their responsibility to report concerns regarding the welfare of children or the behaviour of adults. Recruitment of staff is robust, and the manager checks their ongoing suitability. Staff provide a safe and secure environment for children through regular checks and risk assessments.

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should:

n strengthen children's capacity to become fully engaged in their learning without unnecessary distractions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 253414 Local authority Nottinghamshire County Council Inspection number 10295296 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person The Hermitage Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07598231637 Date of previous inspection 11 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Hermitage Pre-School has been operating since 1967 and is located in Ruddington, Nottingham. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre- school is open from Monday to Friday, term time only. On Monday, sessions are from 9am to 4pm. On Tuesday to Friday, sessions are from 8am to 4pm. The pre- school 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 pre-school 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 pre-school. n The manager and the inspector had a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n Staff and children spoke to the inspector at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their opinions. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

19 July 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.

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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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