Leading Strings Preschool

Inspection of Leading Strings Preschool St. John's Church Hall, 1 Bourne Hill, Palmer Green, London N13 4DA

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

When children arrive at the pre-school, they receive a warm welcome from leaders and staff. Staff create a friendly and inviting atmosphere, allowing children to build strong relationships with their peers and the adults. Staff plan a variety of interesting and engaging activities that cover all areas of the curriculum. This approach also provides children with opportunities for self-directed play. Young children enjoy playing with staff and receive assistance, for example, while dressing up during role play. Older children demonstrate confidence as they communicate their needs effectively to staff.

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The provision is good

Staff serve as positive role models for children, which encourages their good behaviour. As a result, younger children start to understand and consider the needs of others while sharing resources. Older children are kind and include younger ones in their play ideas, patiently waiting their turn.

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The provision is good

Staff value the knowledge they have gained from speech and language training, which has helped them to feel more confident in their interactions. For instance, children demonstrate curiosity by asking relevant questions about what they observe. They engage with staff to discuss various insects they find while exploring soil. Staff allow time for children to respond to their questions and instructions. Through these regular discussions, children also learn about the wider world and different ways of life. Additionally, children eagerly select books on their own and enjoy listening to staff read stories, demonstrating good levels of concentration.

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need to do better?

n Staff engage positively with children during their play, enhancing their learning experiences. For example, children enjoy a pretend walk in the jungle to search for wild animals. However, staff plan some activities without a clear learning intent, which limits the effectiveness of the opportunities, despite children's eagerness to participate. Despite this, all children make good progress. n Children have a positive attitude towards their learning and are eager to explore their surroundings. They engage with materials, such as dough, sand, herbs, petals and water, with curiosity. However, some group activities, especially during role play and the outdoor use of bicycles, are not well organised to meet the diverse learning needs of all children. This does not consistently promote children's engagement in their learning. n Staff plan and provide resources and activities which significantly enhance children's early writing and mathematical skills. For example, children collect

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need to do better?

coloured objects for a rainbow activity, counting and recording their findings. Children take pride in their abilities as they share their drawings with staff and visitors. Children develop skills that prepare them well for their future learning in

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need to do better?

4 April 2025 school. n Snack times are well organised, with children sitting together to enjoy healthy snacks. Staff prioritise children's health by ensuring that they wash their hands before meals and discussing the importance of hygiene in eliminating germs. They also teach safe knife skills when cutting fresh fruit, explaining the differences between the sharp and blunt sides of the knife, as well as how to hold it properly. n Children enjoy fresh air and exercise as they move freely between the hall and the well-equipped garden. They participate in physical activities, such as dance and stretching. Staff enhance children's imaginations by using familiar songs and rhymes, helping children to develop strong language skills. n Leaders have taken the necessary actions to ensure compliance with all requirements. For example, they have relocated the pre-school to a different area of the church, making it suitable for the age group of children being cared

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need to do better?

for and meeting all relevant healthy and safety standards. n Leaders and managers provide good support for staff and regularly monitor their practice to ensure the quality of education. Their self-evaluations are accurate, and they use effective methods to gather feedback and opinions from the local authority's early years advisers, as well as from parents, carers and staff. n Leaders and staff collaborate closely with parents, for example, by holding regular drop-in sessions each term. These sessions facilitate discussions that support consistent learning and development for all children. Parents value the personalised attention their children receive. They express appreciation for staff and the support they provide.

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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 enhance staff's understanding of what they want children to learn during planned activities n review and improve the planning of group activities to maximise children's engagement in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2692146 Local authority Enfield Inspection number 10372567 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 34 Name of registered person LTH Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07833377373 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Leading Strings Preschool registered in 2022. It is located in Palmers Green within the London Borough of Enfield. It is open during term time, Monday to Friday. It runs part-time sessions from 9am to midday and midday to 3pm and full-time sessions from 9am to 3pm.. The pre-school currently employs six members of childcare staff, five of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 3 to level 6. The pre-school provides government funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager and the deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they wan children to learn. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during a group activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

4 April 2025 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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