Cornerstones Pre-School

Inspection of Cornerstones Pre-School Pound Close Youth And Community Centre, Stanstead Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 0PE

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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 are excited to arrive and settle well at this friendly pre-school. They separate from carers with ease and rush to join their friends. Managers work hard to establish an effective key-person system that supports children's welfare and development. Staff have a deep understanding of children's early experiences. This enables them to provide nurturing support that makes children feel confident and secure in their care.

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The provision is good

Staff encourage children to complete age-appropriate tasks independently. Children place their bags in named boxes on arrival and serve themselves fruit and drinks at snack times. They take it in turns to be helpers for the day, ringing the bell for group sessions and when it is time to tidy up. Children are confident in the skills required for their next stage of learning.

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The provision is good

Managers and staff have a strong understanding of how children learn best. They provide exciting learning opportunities based on children's interests. For example, children enjoy fortnightly football sessions and regular visits from the petting zoo. This supports children to engage well in their learning and develop new skills.

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The provision is good

The pre-school's special educational needs coordinator is highly knowledgeable and passionate about her role in supporting children and families. She works closely with individual children and their key staff, providing targeted learning opportunities. This supports all children who attend the nursery to make good progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n Relationships with parents and other professionals are strong. Parents compliment staff on the support they provide for the entire family. They acknowledge how this supports children's well-being and development. Managers establish highly effective relationships with a wide variety of other settings and support agencies. For example, children become familiar with their new schools and teachers prior to moving. This supports them to settle swiftly and continue making good progress in their learning. n Staff know children well and routinely adapt activities to meet their individual needs. For example, children are engrossed in a mark-making activity. Older, more able children are supported to write the first letters of their name in flour. Younger children delight at exploring the texture and develop new vocabulary discussing the different patterns and shapes they create. n Managers and staff evaluate the care they provide well. This allows them to

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need to do better?

identify areas to improve their practice and support the changing needs of children who attend. For example, the setting has recently introduced an

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need to do better?

18 April 2024 initiative to support children to develop emotional resilience. Regular appraisals and supervision sessions enable managers to identify staff development opportunities. However, effective strategies to raise the quality of staff teaching to a consistently high level are not yet fully implemented. n Children of all ages develop a good understanding of the importance of healthy lifestyles. Staff provide healthy drinks and snacks throughout the day. Children have access to physical play opportunities both inside and in the secure outdoor play area. Staff encourage children to gather a deeper understanding of why physical activity is important. For example, staff and children examine their heart rates before and after exercise. They discuss how being physically active makes their bodies stronger. n Staff make good use of regular group sessions to support children's understanding of appropriate behaviour. During their welcome meeting, children

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need to do better?

explain why they must use their 'indoor feet' in the hall. Children are encouraged to adhere to the setting rules by playing an active role in establishing them. However, children are not consistently encouraged to explore appropriate behaviour and the need to take turns in popular activities. n Managers develop highly effective methods of monitoring and assessing children's progress. They carefully analyse this information to identify children's individual learning needs and provide targeted support during activities. The manager also uses this information to highlight broader areas on which to focus staff teaching. For example, children attend small group intervention sessions to support their communication and social development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n enhance current coaching and mentoring processes, enabling staff to identify and engage in consistently meaningful interactions with children n consistently provide opportunities to support children's understanding of how to use resources appropriately and manage conflict in their play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY501646 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10335132 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Cornerstones Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01992 462818 Date of previous inspection 5 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Cornerstones Pre-School registered in 2016. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The pre-school opens Monday to Thursday from 9.15am to 2.15pm, and on Friday from 9.15am to 12.15pm, 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 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 inspector considered the views of parents by speaking to several of them during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all staff. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and manager completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with staff about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the progress of several children.

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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

18 April 2024 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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