The Hendreds Preschool

Inspection of The Hendreds Preschool Snells Hall, Church Street, East Hendred, Oxon OX12 8LA

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children arrive at the pre-school full of enthusiasm. The staff team fosters a friendly, stimulating atmosphere that encourages children to form strong relationships with all staff. Children freely explore a wide variety of engaging activities that support their overall development. The well-organised learning environment promotes children's independent exploration and imaginative play. For example, children 'call' their parents on pretend phones, confidently using appropriate conversational language they have learned from staff. This showcases their growing communication skills.

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The provision is good

Staff consistently act as positive role models and promote respectful behaviour and kindness. They have high expectations of children's behaviour, encouraging them to follow the rules and boundaries in place. For instance, younger children begin to understand turn taking and sharing, while older children thoughtfully include their younger peers in independent play. This nurturing environment fosters empathy, cooperation and a strong sense of community among the children and staff.

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The provision is good

Staff make good use of their secure knowledge of child development to provide experiences that children enjoy. For example, they listen attentively and respond warmly to children's interesting stories about their home experiences. Staff celebrate children's efforts and achievements, which helps to motivate each child to do well. This supports the development of children's self-identity and self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, leaders have worked tirelessly with local authority advisers, committee members and parents to drive significant improvements. Their collaborative efforts have led to a noticeable enhancement in children's outcomes. Due to the extensive support, leaders regularly evaluate the provision and make meaningful changes. For example, the development of an inviting outdoor learning area has been made possible through parent and local community support. Children express a great appreciation for the newly refurbished pre-school garden and enjoy whizzing around on the track with wheeled toys, sand and water play and opportunities for social interaction. n The curriculum is carefully designed around children's interests and developmental needs. Staff skilfully support children's communication and language skills by engaging at their level, offering real-time commentary and modelling clear language. Activities such as singing, signing and visual prompts

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need to do better?

help to reinforce children's understanding and increased vocabulary. Story sessions are delivered in small and large groups, with children eagerly completing familiar phrases. This helps to strengthen their existing love for books, as well as their concentration and focus.

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need to do better?

19 May 2025 n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff accurately observe and assess children's development and implement targeted support plans to help address any emerging gaps. Staff training is provided to meet children's specific care or health needs. Any additional funding is carefully used to ensure appropriate one-to-one or small group support, such as language groups to aid children's speech. n While the curriculum is thoughtfully planned, during adult-led activities, staff do not always engage all children equally. Occasionally, staff pay more attention and focus on the more confident children, which results in quieter children being overlooked. At these times, opportunities for some children to express themselves and fully benefit from the learning experiences are limited. n Mealtimes are well structured, with staff and children sharing healthy snacks

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need to do better?

together. Staff promote hygiene routines and use these moments to teach children about nutrition and well-being. For example, they discuss how certain foods help the body to fight illness. These conversations encourage healthy habits and deepen children's understanding of self-care. n Children learn about a range of religious and cultural celebrations, such as Chinese New Year and Easter, through hands-on craft activities. These experiences help to broaden their understanding of various cultural traditions. Although staff acknowledge these celebrations, they do not consistently provide opportunities to help children explore the similarities and differences between their ways of life and those of other communities. This does not fully foster a richer understanding of diversity or promote greater cultural appreciation. n Strong and trusting relationships are built with parents from the outset. Parents

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need to do better?

appreciate the open and effective communication from staff, including through newsletters, termly reports, an online platform and daily interactions. Parents are well informed about their children's ongoing progress. They express gratitude for the dedicated and knowledgeable team and regularly implement ideas from the pre-school at home, to further support continuity in their children's learning.

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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 further to more effectively deliver adult-led activities to engage all children who are taking part n enhance the opportunities for children to learn about similarities and differences between communities and cultures.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY493645 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10370687 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 16 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person The Hendreds Preschool

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reference number

Telephone number 01235 831555 Date of previous inspection 7 October 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The Hendreds Preschool registered in 2015. It is located in the village of East Hendred, near Wantage, Oxfordshire. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm, during term time only. The pre-school employs four staff, three of whom hold a relevant qualification at level 3 and one at level 4. It receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the pre-school and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The acting manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the pre-school. 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 that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector and the acting manager carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity. n Parents shared their verbal and written views of the pre-school with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working at 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

19 May 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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