The Courtyard Pre-School

Inspection of The Courtyard Pre- School The Courtyard, Leavesden Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD24 5ED

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, the delivery of the curriculum and the quality of teaching require improvement. Staff sometimes overlook opportunities to stimulate children's curiosity and challenge their thinking during spontaneous and planned activities. This results in children sometimes wandering around with little purpose to their play. Additionally, methods used to support children to manage their feelings and behaviour are not consistently effective. Staff, occasionally, struggle to manage the behaviours of some children, which distracts them from continuing to support the activities children are enjoying.

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The provision requires improvement

Nevertheless, children demonstrate that they enjoy their time at the pre-school. Staff encourage children to use a range of tools, such as scissors, paintbrushes and glue spreaders during creative art activities. Children make marks on paper at the painting easel and stick collage materials onto paper. Staff encourage younger children to name animals and to make their associated animal sounds. Staff sing rhymes with the children, which supports their language development, and they share storybooks with them. Older children learn to listen, answer appropriate questions and show an interest in the illustrations.

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need to do better?

n Following a recent concern regarding the safety and welfare of the children, the provider has completed an internal investigation and highlighted areas where improvement is required. For example, risk assessment procedures have been revised and window restrictors have been placed on windows to prevent accidents. Additionally, staff have been reminded of whistle-blowing procedures, and additional training needs have been identified, such as training to support the appropriate handling of children. n Staff demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the children in their care. They complete observations of the children to plan next steps in their development. However, the curriculum intention is not fully embedded, and staff do not always build on what each child knows and can already do. Furthermore, when staff do ask children questions, they sometimes speak over the children and do not always give them time to think and respond to the questions asked.

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need to do better?

The manager and staff are also, occasionally, preoccupied completing daily tasks, such as cleaning and tidying away the resources. This diverts their attention away from the children and therefore reduces learning opportunities during these times. n The manager and staff have accessed some training opportunities. For example, staff have attended training to broaden their understanding of children's mathematical and language development. However, this is not yet having a sufficient enough impact on the implementation of the curriculum, including the

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need to do better?

25 June 2024 staff's interactions with the children. Therefore, training opportunities require further evaluation to ensure all staff have the knowledge and skills to continue to raise the quality of their teaching to a consistently good standard. n Steps to reinforce and implement rules and boundaries to support children to manage their feelings are not always effective. Staff sometimes become flustered and are not always confident when deciding what to do next. This results in children occasionally not listening to the staff. n The manager and staff develop respectful relationships with parents and welcome them warmly into the pre-school. Information regarding children's progress is shared and parents are invited to special celebrations, such as the children's performance of their nativity play. Children are developing the confidence to approach staff for reassurance or to ask for things they need.

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need to do better?

These interactions help children to form attachments and support their well- being. n Staff provide children with healthy, nutritious snacks, such as fresh fruit. They encourage children to sit appropriately at the table and encourage good manners. Staff regularly encourage children to drink water, which ensures they remain hydrated. n Staff encourage children to search for minibeasts in the outdoor area. Children show excitement when they find a spider and are encouraged to talk about its features. Additionally, children have opportunities to learn about planting and growth. Children recall that they have planted tomatoes and potatoes. Staff also provide resources for children to develop their hand-to-eye coordination during water activities.

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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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Due date

improve the implementation of the curriculum, including staff's interactions with the children, to ensure all children receive consistently meaningful and challenging learning experiences that build on what they already know and can do 30/08/2024

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Due date

25 June 2024 implement effective procedures to positively support the management of children's feelings and behaviours 26/07/2024

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Due date

target staff development more sharply to develop high-quality interactions between staff and children during play. 30/08/2024

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should:

n review the organisation of routines to ensure staff continue to meet the needs of the children and support their development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130647 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10356151 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 30 Number of children on roll 17 Name of registered person Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance

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reference number

Telephone number 01923 252336 Date of previous inspection 12 September 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The Courtyard Pre-School registered in 1998. The pre-school employs three members of childcare staff. Two members of staff hold relevant qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm. 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 manager and the inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with the children during indoor and outdoor activities, and assessed the impact this has on the children's progress and achievements. n The manager, staff and children engaged in discussions with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and discussed the children's progress and achievements. n A sample of the nursery documents were reviewed by the inspector, including evidence of staff suitability. n The inspector took account of the views of parents by speaking to them.

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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

25 June 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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