Aktiva Elmhurst Pre-school

Inspection of Aktiva Elmhurst Pre- school Alfred Rose Community Centre, Dunsham Lane, Aylesbury HP20 2ER

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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

Children feel safe and secure in this nurturing environment. They have formed strong bonds with the staff and their peers. Children are confident and gain the skills they need for the next stage in their learning. Their behaviour is good and appropriate to their stage of development. They are kind to their friends and willing to share resources. For instance, they pass their friends some play dough so that they can join in with the activity.

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The provision is good

Children develop a love of stories and songs. There are many times throughout the day when children have these opportunities. They join in with songs at circle time, saying good morning to each other, and show their excitement as they sing along. Smaller groups of children listen carefully to staff who read books to them. Children are happy and engage in the activities on offer, which often trigger their curiosity, such as finding woodlice outside in the soil. Children, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those in receipt of additional funding, benefit from the personalised support for their learning and development. This has a positive impact on the progress they make from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The manager is enthusiastic and dedicated to her role. She uses her wealth of experience to lead her staff team well. The pre-school has staff completing childcare qualifications, who are developing their own knowledge and skills in teaching to embed their practice. The manager provides effective coaching, supervision and support. Staff say that they enjoy their roles and feel valued and supported. n Parents speak very highly of the pre-school. They say that the regular updates and assessments they receive about their child's learning and development help them know how they can continue to support learning at home. All children, including those with additional needs, make good progress at the pre-school. n Overall, the manager and staff implement an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum. However, sometimes, staff do not identify opportunities in children's play when they can take their learning to the next level. For instance, staff do

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need to do better?

not consistently challenge children's learning to build on what they know and can already do. In this way, children are not consistently provided with high levels of challenge. n Outside play is important to the staff at the nursery. The children have extensive opportunities to develop their gross motor skills. For instance, they walk across balance beams, either independently or supported by staff. The children especially enjoy using large brushes to dip into water, painting large surfaces as they build their muscle strength. n Children are proud of their achievements. Work on display around the pre-school

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need to do better?

2 October 2023 is clearly that of the children. Staff encourage children to be creative and follow their own ideas. They regularly praise children. They support children to discuss their feelings and manage their emotions. This builds children's sense of pride and self-esteem.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff fully understand their role and responsibility to safeguard children. They have a good understanding of the safeguarding issues that may affect children and their families. This includes identifying the signs that a child may be suffering from harm or abuse. Recruitment procedures are robust, to ensure that those working directly with children are suitable to do so, including on an ongoing basis. Staff complete daily risk assessments of the nursery to ensure that the building and outdoor areas are safe. Staff supervise children as they play, indoors and outside, and when eating.

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should:

n support staff to strengthen their teaching strategies to consistently challenge and extend children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2647008 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10291195 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 40 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Aktiva Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07887330772 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Aktiva Elmhurst Pre-school registered in 2021. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. One member of staff holds a level 6 early years practitioner qualification, three hold a level 3 childcare qualification and one holds level 2. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3.30pm, except on Thursday, when they are 8.30am until midday. The nursery 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 setting. 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 talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working at the setting.

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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

2 October 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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