Woodlands Pre-School

Inspection of Woodlands Pre-School Warners End Scout Group, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1RZ

p.1

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision requires improvement

The quality of education is not consistent enough to ensure children make good progress in their learning. Staff know their key children well and what their next steps in learning are. However, staff do not effectively implement plans to help children achieve their next steps. At times, some staff do not guide or role model as children play. As a result, children lose interest and begin flitting between activities. Staff praise children regularly about what they are doing. However, they do not consistently extend or challenge children's thinking to inspire them and help them build good attention skills.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Staff develop strong bonds with the children. This is a fundamental part of the pre- school ethos to help children be ready to learn. Staff greet children and parents warmly on arrival and provide children with comfort to settle in for the session. The regular routine provides children with an additional sense of security. They understand what comes next and are confident to follow these cues throughout the sessions. Staff give children plenty of time to practise skills that will help them to become more independent. Young children have a go at taking off their shoes and putting on their wellington boots. With repetition, older children successfully complete these tasks.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider is ambitious for children and staff and has an accurate view of the overall quality of the pre-school. There is an action plan in place to develop elements of the pre-school. However, it does not focus sufficiently on developing staff practice. Additionally, while staff feel well supported by the management team, regular meetings do not effectively address the quality of teaching and interactions with the children. n Staff know the children well. They plan learning experiences to meet children's individual needs. However, these plans are not well implemented. For instance, when older children pretend to eat and drink in the home corner, they demonstrate their secure knowledge, such as knowing that apple juice can be squeezed out of apples. Staff praise the children and role play with them but do not extend or challenge learning further. n Staff support children's language skills well on an individual basis. For example,

p.2

need to do better?

they add gestures so children who speak English as an additional language understand the meaning of words. However, younger children struggle to concentrate and sustain attention during group times. As staff sing familiar songs and read stories, there are distractions occurring at the same time. For example, staff are instructing some children to take off their coats when the sessions begin and some staff are completing routine tasks. As a result, children wander away and do not benefit from the opportunity to develop their

p.2

need to do better?

5 December 2024 concentration skills further. n There is a strong focus on physical development. Staff energetically lead dance and sport sessions. Children clap, twist, bend and jump, practising their whole- body coordination. Outside, staff encourage children to work as a team and pass a ball to one another, backwards and over their heads. n Partnership working with parents is strong. There is a good amount of communication between parents and staff. Children's learning information is shared regularly, including ideas about how parents can help children to develop at home and be ready for the move to school. This helps to provide consistency of care and education for children. n The pre-school supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, and their families, appropriately. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to help ensure children receive the support they require. The

p.2

need to do better?

provider considers the individual needs of vulnerable children before spending any additional funding for them. n Older children learn about the natural world around them. They use seeds to make bird feeders and then hang them in a tree to feed the birds. Staff enable children to go on a worm hunt. Staff lift stumps and help children look for worms in the leaves and dirt. Children use magnifying glasses and sticks to carefully carry the worms to examine more closely. This helps to develop children's understanding of caring for the environment.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Due date

ensure the performance management programme helps staff to improve the quality of their interactions with the children 28/02/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure staff implement a challenging learning experience, for all children to extend their learning and make good progress. 28/02/2025

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of group times to help younger children remain engaged in learning.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2700896 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10376757 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 55 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Woodlands Pre-School (Warners End) Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07841389162 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Woodlands Pre-School registered in 2022. The pre-school employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one who has qualified teacher status. The pre-school is open from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for all eligible children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The provider joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to the provider, staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and considered their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The provider and the inspector carried out two joint observations. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n Children talked with the inspector during the inspection.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7