Lechlade Little Learners

Lechlade Little Learners Wharf Lane, Lechlade, Gloucestershire, GL7 3AU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 February 2015 12 January 2012

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Requires improvement The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is inadequate

 Leaders have failed to notify Ofsted of a change in the make-up of the committee. Those involved have not all undergone checks to ensure they are suitable to be involved in the management of an early years setting.  Weaknesses in recruitment and vetting have resulted in children being cared for by staff whose suitability has not been confirmed.  Staff do not have an accurate enough picture of what children can do and what they need to do next because the system for checking their progress does not give them clear enough information.  Leaders do not have a clear picture of what the setting needs to improve because they are not checking the quality of teaching or the progress children are making closely enough.

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It has the following strengths

 Children develop secure attachments to adults who care for them because staff are warm, welcoming and caring.  Children are cared for in a well-organised and well-resourced environment. Staff set out activities attractively so that children are keen to come to nursery.  Staff value children's efforts. They take time to display their work and ensure they have the opportunity to return to any unfinished projects.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 obtain enhanced disclosure and barring service checks for all adults who work with the children or who are part of the committee  improve the knowledge of and the procedures for the recruitment of staff and committee members so that leaders can be assured that adults are suitable to work with or be involved in the care of children  improve observation and assessment so that staff have an accurate understanding of what children can do and what they need to do next. Ensure that planning of activities builds upon what children know and can do so that they are able to make good progress  improve the quality of teaching through the regular monitoring so that leaders have an accurate picture of how well staff are helping children to make progress. Use this information to identify and address ways in which teaching can be improved so that it is all of a consistently good standard.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 obtain enhanced disclosure and barring service checks for all adults who work with the children or who are part of the committee  improve the knowledge of and the procedures for the recruitment of staff and committee members so that leaders can be assured that adults are suitable to work with or be involved in the care of children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning both indoors and outside.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held meetings with the manager and the chair of the committee.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation including records of the progress children have made and evidence of suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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who attend. This requires improvement

Staff provide a suitable range of activities and experiences which cover the seven areas of learning. They understand what children are interested in and build on this so that children enjoy what they do. However, the quality of teaching is too variable. Staff sometimes support children's learning well. On occasions they ask questions which help children to think for themselves and work out how to solve problems. They provide suitable opportunities for children to develop their early reading and writing skills so that by the time they go to school some are able to clearly write their own name and begin to recognise the sounds that letters make. However, on other occasions activities are not planned well enough to provide children with appropriate levels of challenge. This is because although staff frequently observe the children in their play, assessment of what they have learnt and what they need to learn next is not precise enough. As a result, staff

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who attend. This requires improvement

do not always have an accurate picture of where children may need support. Parents are welcomed into the setting and relevant information is gathered by staff when children first start.

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inadequate

Children's safety is at risk because leaders do not have sufficient understanding of how to safeguard children and are not vigilant enough to ensure those who care for them are suitable. Children behave well because they know what is expected of them. Gentle reminders by staff successfully help children to understand how to behave even when they are new to the setting. Children develop confidence while at the setting. They easily turn to adults for help and confidently share their thoughts and ideas with their friends at group times. Good focus is given to ensuring children are healthy. At snack time they are introduced to new foods such as raw vegetables and they have regular opportunities to play outside in the fresh air.

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provision is inadequate

Leaders do not have a sufficient knowledge of the statutory requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage and procedures to safeguard children are weak. Leaders have failed to notify Ofsted of changes to the management of the setting within required time- scales. This is an offence. Significant gaps in recruitment processes mean that leaders do not have the information they need to understand whether adults are suitable to be involved in the care of children. Management of the setting has experienced turbulence recently. In the time the current manager and committee have been in post they have focused on securing improvements in the organisation of the setting such as updating policies and procedures and contracts of employment. Some staff are being supported to obtain a relevant qualification. Recent steps taken by the manager have helped her to identify where some gaps exist, for example in systems to assess children's progress.

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provision is inadequate

However, a lack of monitoring of the quality of teaching and the progress made by children means that leaders are unable to accurately identify priorities for improvement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 101484 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 1003688 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 18 Name of provider Lechlade Little Learners Committee Date of previous inspection 12 January 2012 Telephone number 01367 253653

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Setting details

Lechlade Little Learners is situated within the grounds of St Lawrence Primary School. It was registered in 1993 and is on the Early Years Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently 18 children on roll. The group is open every morning from 9am until 12pm. It offers a lunch club from 12pm to 1pm and afternoon sessions from 1pm to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The setting operates term-time only. A team of four staff care for the children. The manager holds qualified teacher status, one member of staff is qualified to level 3 and one to level 2.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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