Triangle Pre-School

Inspection of Triangle Pre-School Peartree Park Pavillion, The Ridings, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG2 9UA

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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

Staff place children at the heart of everything they do. Tailored settling-in sessions meet the unique needs of each child and their family. Staff recognise the utmost importance of gathering lots of initial information from parents about their children's interests and needs. They use this information very well to plan a curriculum that closely follows children's own choices and supports their good progress. Children are confident, happy and curious in their play and learning because the staff team and approved volunteers are highly effective role models. Staff frequently praise children for their efforts and sensitively remind them of the setting's golden rules. Children have a positive attitude to learning and understand expectations.

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The provision is good

Children show a strong love of books. Inviting activities linked to the story of the week motivate children to recall repeated refrains. Staff enthusiastically read to children, immediately capturing their attention. Staff prioritise children's communication and language. They skilfully incorporate the word of the week at every opportunity and sensitively repeat words back to children to support their correct pronunciation. Children are imaginative and show strong bonds with staff. They use their hands to shape sand, pretending to make pizzas for them. Staff challenge children to solve mathematical problems, such as how many more spoonfuls of oats are needed to make 'Gruffalo' crumble. Children benefit from regular walks in the adjoining recreation park. They observe how the natural environment changes throughout the seasons and actively listen to and identify sounds. This helps them to develop an understanding of the wider world.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and the staff team implement an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum that is tailored to meeting the needs of each child, using their knowledge of families and the local community. Regular assessments and observations ensure that children's progress is stringently monitored and used to precisely identify what skills and knowledge children need to learn next. n The staff work very well together and know children well. Staff swiftly identify children who are not developing in line with expectations and seamlessly provide a wealth of intervention techniques and strategies that meet the individual needs of children. For example, they use clear visual prompts to help children express how they feel and sand timers to support them to share and take turns. These are highly effective in helping children to build positive and respectful relationships with each other. n Children have plenty of opportunities to lead their own play. Alongside this, staff

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need to do better?

plan a range of focused small-group adult-led activities. Overall, they use these well to help children to learn and remember more. However, at times, children

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need to do better?

5 December 2024 find it difficult to remain engaged. This is because they are distracted by other staff and children participating in their group activities. Leaders have not considered incorporating this teaching within children's play to fully focus children's attention and engagement. n Children thoroughly enjoy the fresh air and are physically active. They learn to assess their own risks when they bounce on the trampoline and develop strength and stamina as they hang upside down on a sturdy bar. Staff challenge children to build on their physical abilities, such as teaching them to pedal a tricycle. Weekly visits from a sports coach help children develop teamwork skills and improve their ball control and coordination. n Overall, staff encourage children to do things by themselves. For example, they eagerly help to prepare their own snack and tidy away the toys they have finished playing with. However, there are occasions when staff do not extend

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need to do better?

children's growing independence. For example, they intervene too quickly to help children to put on or take off their coats without challenging them to have a go themselves. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff keep parents well informed about their children's learning and time at the setting. They speak to them at drop off and collection times, invite them to parent meetings and add photos and comments of their children's achievements to an online app. Parents are warmly welcomed to events throughout the year. They comment how their children 'love to attend' the setting and how they have 'developed great relationships with all staff.' n Leaders work closely with staff to support their ongoing professional development. They frequently observe staff practice, swiftly identify any areas for improvement and provide guidance when needed. All staff have good opportunities to complete training. New knowledge and skills are shared with the

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need to do better?

whole team to ensure a consistent approach. Recent training has had a positive impact in helping children to express and manage their emotions.

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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 review the organisation of adult-led group activities to fully support children's participation n use everyday routines to develop children's independence skills further so they can do more things by themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY486475 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10364123 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 40 Number of children on roll 55

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Name of registered person

Triangle Pre-School Community Interest Company

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reference number

Telephone number 01438 488015 Date of previous inspection 25 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Triangle Pre-School registered in 2015. The setting is open from 9am until 3.45pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. There are 10 staff members who work directly with the children, of whom seven hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3 or above. The setting provides government funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and manager completed a learning walk across all the areas of the setting to understand how the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of a planned activity was carried out by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with staff at appropriate times during the inspection and also spoke to children. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day.

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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

5 December 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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