Herons' Preschool Waterbeach

Inspection of Herons' Preschool Waterbeach Building 2 (Former Barracks Site), Off Denny End Road, Waterbeach, CAMBRIDGESHIRE CB25 9PA

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Staff at the pre-school place a high priority on getting to know each family exceptionally well. They truly value the partnerships they have and demonstrate a strong sense of care for each child. Children happily enter the pre-school in the morning, full of enthusiasm and anticipation about the day ahead. They are greeted warmly by staff and show they are confident and extremely secure in their care.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff offer an array of excellent activities for children and ensure every child can take part. They spend every moment playing alongside and expertly extend children's knowledge and enthusiasm as they play. For example, staff teach children about growing plants and help them cook their produce during cooking club and forest school activities. Children are exceptionally happy, motivated and busy throughout the day. They are kind to one another and behave exceptionally well. Staff offer sensitive and gentle reminders about what is expected of children, on the rare occasion when this is needed. Children have an excellent knowledge of the routines and are extremely independent. They are developing an awareness of risk and know what to do to protect themselves in certain situations. For example, children always take a sun hat from the box on sunny days and wear helmets when riding bicycles.

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need to do better?

n Leadership and management are excellent. The manager and deputy manager are passionate about the pre-school and strive tirelessly to provide the very best for children and families. Their determination and dedication have an immense impact on staff, who also share their vision. Trustees are highly supportive of the staff, and everyone prides themselves on the 'family feel' of the provision, which is at the heart of the community. n Managers and staff have designed a highly ambitious curriculum for all children. They constantly review and adapt where necessary to meet the needs of the children on roll. All staff show an impressive knowledge of what they want children to learn and how they implement their plans. Children's different heritages, customs and languages are embraced and celebrated to give children a broad understanding of life in modern Britain. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have outstanding

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need to do better?

support at the pre-school. Under the guidance of the exceptional special educational needs and disabilities coordinator, staff swiftly get to know children and ensure they can play with their friends in all activities on offer. Staff go to extraordinary lengths to provide an inclusive curriculum and an environment where children feel less anxious. n Staff's interactions with children are excellent. There is a genuine warmth

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need to do better?

24 May 2024 between the two, and staff's conversations support children's communication skills at every opportunity. Staff recognise when children are reluctant to talk in front of others and take every chance to build children's confidence as they play. Staff's skill at these times is exceptional as they give children the time they need to respond and contribute to conversations. n Staff encourage children to develop a love of books. They can be seen frequently reading to children and routinely give them time to read independently. Children learn to recognise their own name and practise their mark-making skills as they play. For example, children create their own labels for the seedlings they have grown. n Parents offer the highest praise about the staff at the pre-school. They appreciate how supportive managers and staff are, especially when children face changes in their lives, such as the arrival of a new baby in the family. Parents

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need to do better?

say they are well informed about children's development and are welcomed regularly into the pre-school to join their children. Parents say, 'Magic happens here', and they describe how their children have 'excelled and come on in leaps and bounds.' n Staff feel exceptionally well supported in their roles. They know that managers will do everything they can to keep their workload manageable. Excellent supervision procedures are embedded in practice, and staff are highly motivated to do their best for children in their care.

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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 interest's first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2674419 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10344338 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 48 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Herons' Preschool Waterbeach CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01223863245 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Herons' Preschool Waterbeach registered in 2022. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3pm. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff, all of whom have appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. 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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and deputy manager talked to the inspector about how the pre- school is organised to meet children's needs and promote their enjoyment. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact of these. n The manager and deputy manager joined the inspector to observe and discuss activities and staff's practice. n The inspector spoke to parents, staff and children on the day of the inspection and took their views into account. n Discussions were held with staff about their understanding of their roles and safeguarding. n The inspector held meetings with the manager, deputy manager and chair of the trustees.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of 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

24 May 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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