Spring Lodge Pre-school & Out of School Clubs

Spring Lodge Pre-school & Out of School Clubs Spring Lodge, Powers Hall End, Witham, Essex, CM8 2HE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 November 2015 11 November 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The quality of teaching is good. Children receive a rich, varied and imaginative programme of activities and play opportunities, both indoors and outside. Planning and assessment are used effectively to provide challenging activities in tune with children's interests and capabilities.  Children are motivated, eager to participate in learning opportunities and make good progress. They develop good self-help skills, confidence and independence because staff patiently encourage them to do things for themselves.  Children enjoy warm and respectful relationships with staff. Staff engage in children's role play, encouraging them to use their imagination.  Staff receive professional support and are able to access a good range of training and qualifications. This helps to develop their knowledge and skills, improve the quality of teaching and positively impacts on children's learning.  The management and staff are reflective and drive improvement well. A major review

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This provision is good

of the staff's practice has been carried out. The action and recommendations from the previous inspection have been successfully addressed.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always encourage all parents to share ongoing information about their children's learning at home.  Staff do not always fully support and promote children's interest and enjoyment of books and reading.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 build on the strategies that are already in place to encourage all parents to share information about their children's learning at home  extend opportunities to promote children's interest and enjoyment of books and reading.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, centre manager, staff and children.  The inspector viewed a sample of the children's development records.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the staff, self- evaluation, risk assessment and policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Robust recruitment procedures are in place to ensure that staff are suitable for their role. Staff have attended safeguarding training. They are alert to potential signs of abuse and know what to do if they have a concern about a child's welfare. The new arrangements for supervision and checking staff performance has led to more consistent practice, particularly in relation to observation, assessment and planning. Staff now regularly share their knowledge and expertise with each other. They quickly act on recommendations from the local authority adviser to make improvements. Staff regularly share the records about children's progress with parents. They have just started sharing ideas for parents to continue children's learning at home. However, staff are not encouraging all parents to share their knowledge about their children's achievements at home, to help accelerate learning and development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have a good understanding of how children learn through play. Children have access to a wide range of resources. They are free to make their own choices in their play and confidently explore the environment, both indoors and outside. Staff promote children's communication and language skills well. They engage children in conversations and model the good use of language. Staff encourage children to count, name colours and make comparisons of objects when exploring creative materials, cooking ingredients or construction materials. These experiences prepare children well for their future learning. However, staff do not take every opportunity to promote children's interest in reading and looking at books for enjoyment.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children settle quickly and confidently leave their parents as they enter the pre-school. Staff deploy themselves well throughout the playroom and outdoors to keep children safe and to provide them with any support they may need. Children's physical development is supported well. They are eager to demonstrate their agility and how they can balance and ride wheeled toys in the outdoor area. Daily routines for handwashing before meals and after outdoor play are firmly established, which supports children's understanding of good hygiene. Children behave well. They listen attentively and play harmoniously. The manager has established effective links with the local schools and other early years settings that children also attend. Staff successfully share information to ensure that children's learning experiences and care have continuity.

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Outcomes for children are good

The good quality care and teaching provided by staff ensures children are motivated to learn. Children are keen to join in, play and interact with staff and their friends. Children make good progress from their starting points and are well prepared with the skills they need for starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 402132 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1029641 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 11 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 30 Name of provider Witham Community Association Committee Date of previous inspection 11 November 2014 Telephone number 01376511042

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Setting details

Spring Lodge Pre-school & Out of School Clubs was registered in 1990 and is run by Witham Community Association. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one member of staff holds a qualification at level 2. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during school term times. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. There is also a holiday club that operates during the school holidays from 8.30am to 5.30pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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

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Setting details

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