The Hullbridge Preschool

Inspection of The Hullbridge Preschool Riverside Primary School, Ferry Road, Hockley SS5 6ND

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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 provide a wonderfully warm and welcoming environment for children. They greet their key children enthusiastically as they arrive. Vital information sharing ensures that staff provide the most effective support for children during their session. Throughout the day, children are supported by adults to feel safe and secure. For example, they receive consistent messages about safety and the 'golden rules'. As a result, children behave exceptionally well.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show kindness to others and listen incredibly well to staff. Sensitive and caring staff act as highly positive role models to children. This helps children to develop empathy and a secure understanding of how their choices have an impact on others. Staff encourage children to identify risks, such as when the craft materials have fallen on the floor. Children gather brushes and work busily together to sweep up the items. They show immense pride as they receive a sticker for working hard.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show positive attitudes to their learning. They access the curriculum with great enthusiasm, making independent choices and leading their own play. Staff provide a range of activities that support children's next steps in learning. The ambitious and well-considered curriculum is delivered by highly skilled staff who have a secure and all-round knowledge of their key children. This results in children having the best start to their education.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum offers children access to all areas of learning. Staff plan a broad range of interesting and engaging activities that help to support children's next steps in learning. Children express their creativity as they 'decorate' Christmas trees with beads and tinsel. They use tweezers with skill to add pom-poms to the tree. Mathematical language is woven throughout the day. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise as they play outside. They run and climb with enthusiasm and demonstrate a strong urge to be physically active as they swing on a large tyre and pedal bicycles. n Staff have incredibly high expectations of children. Children demonstrate a 'can do' attitude. They are becoming incredibly independent and capable of managing their personal needs. For example, they manage to put on their coats and footwear with confidence. Staff shower children with praise and celebrate their individual achievements. As a result, children develop positive attitudes to

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need to do better?

their learning. n Children are very well equipped with the emotional language to express how they feel and to ask staff for help. They use a collection of coloured monsters that link to emotions. This helps children to recognise different feelings and

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need to do better?

7 December 2023 emotions. For example, they say they feel 'yellow' today because this coloured monster represents happiness. n Children learn about their community. They visit the library and parks. Local landmarks are displayed in the setting which help children to identify these when they visit the community. They have regular visitors to the nursery, such as the school crossing patrol and police officer. Staff are very aware of the local community. They consider how best to support the children who attend and how to broaden their experiences. n Children are supported to develop exceptional communication and language though the language rich environment. They use language with increasing skill and confidence. Staff narrate alongside children's play, weaving new words through children's play. They use words, such as 'squidgy' and 'slushy', to describe the foam snow. Children use their developing language very well as

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need to do better?

they play. They describe what they are doing with fluency. n Staff work in close partnership with external agencies. The shared approach to children's learning means that children receive tailored and appropriate support. For children with special educational needs and/or disability this means they receive the very best support to make their expected progress. n The highly experienced manager leads with passion. She works very closely with the school to ensure seamless transitions for children. Staff are supported through high-quality supervision meetings. The sharply focused self-evaluation supports continuous improvements in the curriculum and quality of teaching. Staff access regular high quality professional development. As a result, children receive the very best teaching that gives them an exceptional start to their education journey. n Parents speak highly of the pre-school. In particular they express happiness

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need to do better?

about the progress children have made with speech and language. Parents comment that the communication from the pre-school is excellent. They feel very informed about what their children are learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager has a secure understanding of her safeguarding roles and responsibilities. She has ensured that staff have received appropriate training and skills to recognise, respond, and report and concerns they have. This includes how to identify when non-verbal children may be trying to share worries. All staff understand the process for reporting concerns, including when to go beyond the setting. The manager has attended appropriate training as the designated safeguarding lead. She has a clear understanding of how to manage an allegation made against her or her staff. There are robust arrangements in place for the safe recruitment of staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY469576 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10307897 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 26 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person The Hullbridge Pre-School Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07765567773 Date of previous inspection 15 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The Hullbridge Pre-school registered in 2013. It is located next to Riverside Primary School. The pre-school employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and one at level 5. The pre-school opens during school term times, Monday to Friday, from 9am until 3pm. It 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 provider 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 provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at pre-school. 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. This included a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

7 December 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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