Grove Road Pre-school

Inspection of Grove Road Pre-school Grove Wood Primary School, Grove Road, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 8UA

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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 Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children eagerly arrive and flourish in this nurturing environment. They enthusiastically put away their belongings and staff help them to settle into activities quickly. Children explore the exciting learning environment with curiosity, enjoying every moment in their day. Staff are highly attentive and nurture children's language development exceptionally well. For example, they read stories to children and engage their deep interests using different tones and pitches. Staff extend children's learning using props to develop high-quality conversations and interactions.

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The provision is outstanding

There is an ambitious curriculum in place which is well sequenced and considers children's development. Staff encourage children to make independent choices and engage in experiences of their interest. For example, children build sandcastles using spades, diggers and buckets to test their ideas. Staff extend their learning using open-ended questions. They further children's abilities by encouraging them to be independent and follow through with small tasks, such as transporting materials outdoors.

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The provision is outstanding

Children learn about the world around them. They enjoy plenty of exercise and fresh air. Children build friendships in their play and demonstrate exemplary behaviour. Staff role model how to be respectful and kind. Children know the difference between what is right and wrong. They understand staff's expectations in the pre-school.

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need to do better?

n Leaders design a curriculum that builds precisely on what children can do and how to move them on in their learning effectively. Staff have extensive knowledge and identify when children might be at risk of falling behind in their learning. They take swift action to close gaps in children's development. Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to make excellent progress. For example, they work with external professionals to ensure that children have targeted strategies in place to receive the support they need. n Leaders are passionate and inspirational. They demonstrate deep dedication in their roles. Staff receive regular support through routine supervision sessions to continually improve their practice. They ensure that children have a secure key- person system in place to provide the best possible experiences and opportunities. Staff feel motivated in their roles and report high morale. This

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need to do better?

leads to high-quality interactions and better outcomes for children. n Children explore the outdoors freely. They access a woodland area and learn about the world around them. Children play on a tyre swing and collect leaves

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need to do better?

25 September 2025 and conkers. Staff teach children how to keep safe outdoors and role model key phrases, such as 'base camp.' This helps children to know where they can gather, demonstrating an understanding of common areas. n Children learn how to recycle their food. Staff teach children how to become sustainable and dispose of food correctly, to protect the environment. Children demonstrate how to tidy up from mealtimes and become more environmentally friendly. This helps children to develop a deep understanding of supporting the world around them. n Children develop a strong sense of independence. Staff encourage children to be responsible for their own self-care. Children know when to wash their hands and how to wipe their noses. During mealtimes, children securely feed themselves and pour their own drinks. Staff engage with purposeful discussions and guide children in their practice to ensure the best possible outcomes.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents and carers are exceptionally strong. Parents report that they are kept well informed about their children's progress. They share that staff are attentive from the settling-in process to ensure that children's individual needs are met. Parents report that they receive regular communication and key persons share information about their children's progress regularly. n Children learn how to make their own play dough. Staff introduce mathematical concepts to weigh ingredients so children can measure what they need. Children use tools to manipulate textures and create the correct consistency from instructions directed by staff. From this, children benefit from focused and targeted learning opportunities, to enable them to make excellent progress.

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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 EY417014 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10407891 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 24 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Grove Road Pre School

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reference number

Telephone number 01268 747 322 Date of previous inspection 21 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Grove Road Pre-school registered in 2010 and is located in Essex. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday from 8.15am until 3.30pm, during school term time. There are nine members of childcare staff. Of these, four staff hold early years qualifications at level 3 and the manager holds a qualification at level 6. The pre- school provides government funded childcare for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector carried out joint observations of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector. 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

25 September 2025 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

25 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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