Highfield Pre-School

Inspection of Highfield Pre-School YWAM Oval, Ambrose Lane, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 4BX

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children quickly develop a real love of learning at this extremely warm, welcoming and homely setting. They know what is coming next and this helps them to feel safe and secure. Children follow the setting's routines instinctively, embracing its values. For example, during morning `devotion time', staff and children enthusiastically sing together. Watching their enjoyment at this special time is a delight. Children feel a very strong sense of belonging and know they are valued. They are given choices so that they can decide what they would like to sing or read. Staff listen carefully to children, continually immersing them in meaningful conversation. They ask children open-ended questions and allow them the time they need to think and to respond. All children are becoming confident communicators, learning new and exciting words every day.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff teach an ambitious and sequential curriculum. Staff know children extremely well. Their accurate assessments of every child's starting points and understanding of what they already know and can do, enables them to skilfully plan and provide activities that continually extend children's learning and challenges their thinking. The curriculum is taught through themes. Staff weave different areas of learning together to great effect, igniting children's curiosity. For example, children learn about different materials as they explore paper through craft activities, recycling tasks and ripping and tearing paper. Children show high levels of engagement and benefit from quality interactions with staff. Children's knowledge and skills develop securely and rapidly,as a result.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff are excellent role models. They consistently demonstrate high expectations of children's behaviour. This, along with a culture of respect, kindness and a love of learning, means that children form very positive relationships, both with staff and their peers. Children's behaviour is exemplary.

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need to do better?

n Leaders, managers and staff work closely together to ensure all children are able to make the best possible progress. They go above and beyond to ensure eligible children receive their entitlement to any additional funding. This is used very effectively to provide carefully planned and tailored support for individual children. In doing so, staff work closely with many early years professionals. This helps to ensure the skills and strategies they adopt have the desired impact on children's learning. Children make excellent progress towards their specific and individual targets as a result. n Children are provided with plentiful opportunities and space to explore, be curious and develop their gross motor skills. For example, through imaginative play, children build roads and bridges together. They use a large sandpit to sieve

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need to do better?

18 September 2025 and pour sand. During activities such as this, children take advantage of the many opportunities they have to climb, hang and swing on the outdoor equipment. They play cooperatively, are excited and fully immersed in their play and learning. n Staff ensure that children develop good personal care habits and learn how to lead a healthy lifestyles. Daily routines, that are well taught and embedded, help to do this successfully. For example, children learn how to wash their hands properly. They eat healthy and nutritious lunches. Staff teach children the importance of staying hydrated and exercising to keep their bodies fit and healthy. Children are active and energetic during planned physical sessions, where they learn to negotiate space, jump with two feet and move their bodies in different ways. n Partnerships with parents are extremely positive. Right from the outset, parents are kept well informed. An online welcome meeting, for example, enables them

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need to do better?

to find out what their children will learn and how they can support learning further at home. Parents speak very highly of the setting's warm and welcoming atmosphere. They appreciate that knowledgeable staff help their children to settle in quickly and build secure attachments. Through regular feedback and conversations, parents are kept fully up to date with their children's progress. Parents particularly appreciate the positive impact the setting has on their children's behaviour and language development. n Staff's approach to teaching is highly child centered. They use every moment as a learning opportunity, always ensuring children are happy and having fun. Developing children's emotional well-being is a notable strength. Staff are highly inclusive. They continually celebrate and praise each child's individual achievements. This gives all children an immense sense of pride. Children consistently demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning and are very well

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need to do better?

prepared for the next stage of education as a result. n Leaders and managers are dedicated professionals, passionate about the quality of care and education they provide. They share a wealth of experience and knowledge about child development. They continually reflect on and evaluate the quality of the setting's provision and impact on children's learning. They use their findings astutely to seek out and provide professional development opportunities that will enhance the quality of education and support children and their families even further.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY306881 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10408226 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 32 Name of registered person Kingdom Education Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01582 320566 Date of previous inspection 28 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Highfield Pre-School registered in 2001. The pre-school employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold early years qualifications at level 3 or above, and the provider holds early years professional status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during school term times. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at pre-school. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Leaders and managers spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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 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.

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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

18 September 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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