The Village Pre-School E17

Inspection of The Village Pre-School E17 Walthamstow Cricket Club, 48a Greenway Avenue, London, Essex E17 3QN

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children thrive in this well-established pre-school, arriving eager to engage and play. They feel safe and secure, supported by warm, trusting relationships with staff who act as positive role models. The ambitious curriculum promotes children's all-round development, supporting all children to make good progress from their starting points. Children behave well, show respect towards one another, and understand clear behavioural expectations. They follow instructions confidently, which helps to contribute to their overall well-being.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from rich-learning experiences in the well-designed forest school, allocated on the grounds of the pre-school. They are curious and engaged as they explore the natural environment, listening attentively to the sounds of magpies and other birds. Children take safe risks, such as climbing small logs, helping support their physical development and helps them learn how to keep themselves safe. Staff skilfully help support children to build confidence, creativity, and independence. As children collect leaves, they discuss their shapes and patterns, count them, and group them together. All of which helps to promote their early mathematical understanding and language development. Staff support children in learning about growing seasonal flowers, helping them to understand the different stages of plant growth through meaningful experiences.

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need to do better?

n Staff have established effective working relationships with parents. Key information is shared regularly, supporting staff to meet children's individual needs well. Parents value the use of the parent app, which helps them to observe their child's achievements and stay informed about their progress. Staff also provide suggestions to support learning at home, to help further strengthening the link between home and setting. n Staff work effectively with parents and external agencies to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They use different strategies, such as using pictorial cards, to help all children make choices and communicate their needs. This engaging approach helps ensures that every child is supported to take part in their learning and develop their independence. n Overall, staff communicate well with children and support their learning throughout the day. They engage children in conversations and ask questions.

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need to do better?

However, at times, some staff miss opportunities to extend children's thinking through sustained back-and-forth interactions. As a result, not all children consistently experience rich, meaningful discussions during play that deepen their understanding and language development. n Leaders prioritise staff well-being and actively implement strategies to support them when needed. Staff feel comfortable communicating when they are

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need to do better?

26 September 2025 overwhelmed, and leaders respond with empathy and practical support. For example, leaders offer their time in the rooms, enabling staff to take a break and recharge. This approach helps to ensure a positive team culture and helps contribute to staff retention and morale. n Staff are provided with frequent opportunities for ongoing training and attend regular supervision meetings with leaders. This helps to support staff in developing their skills to better meet children's needs and to discuss any concerns or challenges. n Staff support children's independence and self-care skills effectively throughout daily routines. For example, children are encouraged to manage their personal care needs, such as washing their hands and putting on coats before outdoor play. Staff encourage children to make choices about where and how they play. Children confidently select between indoor and outdoor play, enjoying physical

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need to do better?

activities, such as bike riding and climbing, which helps promote gross motor development. n Staff effectively engage children in small group games, such as identifying and naming objects hidden in a small box. These activities helps support children to speak up, express their ideas and thoughts, and develop their language skills. Additionally, staff encourage children to sing familiar nursery rhymes, further promoting language development and confidence in singing out loud. n Children bring in their packed lunches and enjoy sitting together during mealtimes. Staff ensure children are well supervised to promote safety while eating. They engage in some conversations with the children, helping to build strong, trusting relationships and supporting children to feel secure and valued.

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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 strengthen staff practice to help enable all staff to engage in more meaningful back-and-forth conversations with children to further support their language and cognitive development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY561365 Local authority London Borough of Waltham Forest Inspection number 10415927 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 33 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person The Village Pre-School E17 CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 020 3643 3839 Date of previous inspection 29 September 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The Village Pre-School E17 registered in 2018 and is located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It opens during term time from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery employs 10 members of staff, of whom all hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to 7. The provider offers the government funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 observed the interactions between staff and the children. n The inspector and the deputy manager carried out a joint observation. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

26 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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