Orbital Pre School

Inspection of Orbital Pre School Orbital Community Centre, Haines Way, Watford, Hertfordshire WD25 7QU

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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 happy and settled and make good progress in this welcoming pre- school. Staff thoughtfully plan the environment to suit children's different needs and interests. For example, the recognisable, consistent 'home corner' resources help younger children to feel secure and comforted. Children react to the positive environment created by staff. They work well together, organising their play and concentrating on this. For instance, children organise a hopscotch game and work together to mark this out with chalks. They line up and take turns, challenging themselves further by adding cones to jump over.

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The provision is good

Staff support children well in learning to understand their emotions and manage their behaviour. Children reflect this sensitive approach and are kind and caring. For example, older children show younger ones the toy bugs, passing them magnifying glasses and showing them how to use these. Staff supervise children well, offering explanations about safety so that children build a good understanding of this. For instance, younger children playing with the toy kitchen understand why it could be dangerous to place toys on top of the equipment. Children are gaining a practical appreciation of healthy practices. Visits from a dentist help children to understand how to clean their teeth properly and the importance of this.

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need to do better?

n Staff have a good understanding of what children need to learn in order to make good progress. They assess children well and offer them a wide variety of activities that aid them in taking the next developmental step. The manager uses additional funding effectively to help children feel included and to support their development. She carefully monitors children's progress and supports staff in addressing any weaker areas in children's learning. n Staff work well as a team and report that they feel well supported. They receive practical supervision that helps them to review and develop their practice, for example, through completing online training. They build good partnerships with other professionals. This particularly supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, helping to ensure that their needs are recognised and their care is consistent. n Children demonstrate an enjoyment of books and reading. Staff encourage them

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need to do better?

to access a wide variety of books and help children to bring these to life. For instance, children read a favourite traditional story and then plant beans to see if they can grow a beanstalk. They use puppets and props to act out stories, remembering the words and characters. n Staff support children well in developing their language and communication skills. They encourage children to participate in discussions, talking about topics that they know children are interested in. For example, children discuss holidays,

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need to do better?

16 July 2024 eagerly recalling going on aeroplanes and being on the beach. When staff introduce new vocabulary, such as 'one way system', they check that children understand this and support them in using it in their play. n Children learn to make decisions, compromise, state their views and respect those of others. For instance, older children talk about what game they are going to play, carefully listing these and considering each one. They learn to recognise and respect differences, for example, as they discuss their home lives and traditions. n Parents praise staff and feel that they support children well in being ready for school. Staff communicate well with parents, helping them to understand what their children have been doing. They offer parents ideas on how to support their children's learning at home. n Staff generally make use of opportunities to extend children's learning further as they play. For example, children playing with magnetic numbers are encouraged

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need to do better?

to arrange these and state the number they have created. However, staff do not consistently make good use of these opportunities to fully promote children's learning. n Staff generally offer children support in developing their independence. However, on occasion, staff do things for children that they could do themselves, such as selecting their snack items and writing children's names on their work. This sometimes confuses children and does not promote their independence to the optimum.

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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 support staff to further extend children's play and make the most of all learning opportunities to fully promote children's learning n enhance the opportunities that aid children in developing their independence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130556 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10344414 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Bennett, Kim

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reference number

Telephone number 07761278112 Date of previous inspection 28 September 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Orbital Pre School registered in 1977. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 12.15pm. An optional lunch club is available from 12.15pm until 1.45pm on Monday and Friday. The pre-school provides funded early education places 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 the pandemic with the manager and staff and has taken that into account in their evaluation of this provision. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed staff interaction with children during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n Meetings were held between the inspector, the manager (who is also the nominated individual), the deputy manager and a staff member. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

16 July 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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