Mill Grove Pre-School

Inspection of Mill Grove Pre-School 10 Crescent Road, South Woodford, London E18 1JB

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Staff have a sensitive and caring attitude towards children, which helps them to settle quickly. The pre-school's ethos, the 'growth of love', is clearly defined and influences all aspects of the curriculum and teaching. For instance, it values children's home lives, their cultural backgrounds and heritage. Staff teach children about their own and other cultures, religions and about the world around them superbly. Staff have an excellent understanding of how children learn. They know how to engage children, and offer a wide range of highly stimulating activities in all areas of the curriculum. Children behave exceptionally well and know the importance of kindness and respect for one another.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are very curious and thoroughly enjoy learning. They concentrate very well as they express themselves using their rapidly developing language skills. Children confidently learn how to follow instructions and problem-solve as they take their time to complete puzzles, sort shapes and construct. Children use resources confidently and independently and engage in their play for extended periods of time. For example, children are fascinated as they use a remote control to switch on and off and change the colour of fairy lights. They thoroughly enjoy experimenting with torches, exploring science concepts such as reflection, dark and light, and cause and effect. Staff develop children's early literacy skills very well. Children access an excellent range of books independently. They thoroughly enjoy participating in story, singing and small-group targeted activities.

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need to do better?

n Staff have an excellent and clear understanding of what they want children to learn. They build on children's next steps and interests. For example, younger children happily focused on using their senses with flour, water, paint and pasta and explored textures. Older children are skilfully engaged by staff in discussions about caring for living things and healthy eating when they find a caterpillar. Children who are at first wary of the caterpillar soon become captivated as staff make links to a story about a hungry caterpillar. n Staff maintain accurate and highly effective records of children's learning and achievements. They use their observations to plan meticulous, personalised education plans relating to children's individual needs. For example, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit greatly from daily small-group interventions that target their social skills and speech and

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need to do better?

language development. n Children have a great time outdoors, learning about the natural world. For instance, they pull up vegetables and enthusiastically talk about the fruit and vegetables they have grown in the pre-school allotment. Children become immersed in sorting and grouping as they separate the beetroot from the stalks

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need to do better?

24 November 2023 and the leaves. Children confidently engage in discussions with visitors about selling their beetroot in exchange for money. Staff help prepare children extremely well for their future learning experiences. n Children of all age groups develop their creative and imaginative skills wonderfully as they use coloured paper, small shapes, glitter, paint and glue. They thoroughly enjoy selecting the resources they want and design their own pictures and models. Children also have the confidence to ask staff for extra materials when they run out. n Leaders and staff work collaboratively with specialist teachers, professionals and other settings. This ensures children have the appropriate support and consistency in their learning experiences. All children make rapid progress and excel in their learning, including children with SEND and those in receipt of additional funding. n The manager is highly motivated and very focused on making improvements

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need to do better?

that benefit children. For example, since the last inspection, leaders have been extremely successful in developing an extensive outdoor area. This was as a direct result of the impact of COVID-19 on children's learning and development. Children now spend a considerable part of their day in the outdoors in the fresh air, where they develop excellent social and physical skills. n Leaders and the staff team work exceptionally well together. New staff say they feel well supported and welcomed by everyone. Managers recognise the benefits of regular staff training. For example, all staff are trained in supporting children with autism. This has significantly increased staff levels of confidence and understanding. n Parents are highly complimentary about the staff. They say staff go above and beyond and they are always well informed about their children's day. Parents say they are offered support and advice about how they can support their children

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety and welfare are promoted to the highest level by everyone at the pre-school. Staff knowledge of safeguarding is exceptional and central to everything they do. They have excellent knowledge of what to do and who to contact in the event of a child protection concern. Leaders work closely with the local authority's safeguarding lead to complete highly comprehensive risk assessments to ensure the pre-school is safe and secure. Staff carry out daily checks of all areas and activities accessed by the children. This helps to ensure all children are protected from harm extremely well.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 128475 Local authority Redbridge Inspection number 10307983 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Mill Grove Christian Charitable Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 020 8504 2702 Date of previous inspection 6 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Mill Grove Pre-School registered in 1992. It is situated in South Woodford, in the London Borough of Redbridge. The pre-school employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3 and one member of staff is qualified at level 5. The pre-school opens from 9.15am until 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. 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 pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to parents and professionals during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the children's learning and the staff teaching during a range of activities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager spoke to the inspector, as part of the learning walk, about the intentions and planning for children's learning. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence, for example the suitability of all staff working at 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

24 November 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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