Southover Pre-School

Inspection of Southover Pre-School Southover Pre School, 12 Southover, London N12 7JE

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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

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The provision requires improvement

Children generally settle quickly and are happy at the pre-school. Staff greet children and their parents and carers in a friendly manner. At the start and end of the pre-school day, children of all ages gather together for breakfast and tea. This gives the older and younger children, including siblings, some time to play together and learn from each other.

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The provision requires improvement

The curriculum is based on the early years foundation stage, and the priority is for children to develop independence and be ready for school by the time they leave the pre-school. However, the quality of education is variable. Staff's interactions do not always support the intent of the curriculum. Children behave well at the setting and follow instructions. Staff are kind and offer support when children become distressed or request help. Children have access to a large outdoor space and enjoy playing outside on a daily basis.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff identify children that may need additional support early, which helps to ensure that help is put in place as quickly as possible. Staff work closely with parents and the area special educational needs coordinators to make plans to support children in areas where they need extra input.

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need to do better?

n The provider's vision is for all children to be happy and confident. There is a focus on supporting children's self-care skills and helping them to manage mealtimes in preparation for school. Children put on their own shoes for outdoor play and serve themselves with tongs at lunchtime n Staff plan activities across all areas of learning. Children help staff to make play dough, and some older children enjoy practising writing their name on the chalkboard. They learn to count and some can add 'one more' and work out 'one less'. n Staff have good relationships with children. However, sometimes, they forget to role model good behaviours to children. For example, when staff instruct children to do something, such as line up, they forget to say please and thank you. This does not support children to remember to use good manners. n Staff talk to the children throughout the day. They sing and read stories.

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need to do better?

However, the quality of their interactions is not consistently of high quality. Staff do not use a rich and interesting range of words or use effective questioning to ensure that children develop wide vocabulary. When staff use new words, such as 'collage', they do not explain or repeat them frequently to ensure that children understand and remember them. n Children eat well. Food is freshly prepared on the premises, and the menus contain healthy options based on government guidelines. Children can drink at

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need to do better?

20 June 2025 any time as their water bottles are always available to them. Children routinely wash their hands prior to eating and help to clear away after they have eaten. n The provider has implemented a stand-alone sun safety policy, which has been shared with parents and staff. Staff ensure that all children wear sun hats and sun cream is applied prior to children going outside. Outdoor play is assessed for risk, and children do not go outside between 11am and 4pm when it is hot. n Children show interest in the activities provided. However, sometimes, staff do not implement the curriculum effectively. For instance, children wait for a considerable time before being able to join in, and the provision of resources is not well thought out. When older children carry out a cutting and sticking activity, there is not enough glue for everyone to access. Staff bring props that accompany songs out after the singing session has started and do not

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need to do better?

incorporate these well into the session. n Parents receive full reports on their children's development, including children's next steps in learning. Staff give parents ideas of how to enhance their children's learning at home, such as looking at numbers in the environment when out on walks. n Staff find the provider approachable and supportive. Staff are encouraged to complete courses and qualifications. However, there is more to do to raise teaching so that it is consistently of high quality across the pre-school. n The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event within 14 days. This is an offence. However, this was swiftly rectified, and the provider is now aware of incidents and changes that must be notified to Ofsted.

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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 children to learn good manners, such as by ensuring that staff consistently role model good behaviour for children n help children to make the best possible progress in their speech and language skills, such as by introducing and explaining rich vocabulary to children and promoting discussion through the use of effective questions n develop staff's knowledge and understanding of how to implement the curriculum to ensure that all children benefit from the intended learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2844721 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10409979 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Southover Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07773360918 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Southover Pre-School re-registered in 2025 and is situated in Woodside Park, in the London Borough of Barnet. It operates Monday to Friday, from 7.45am to 6.15pm, for 48 weeks of the year. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6. It provides government-funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following a notification from the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. 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

20 June 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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