Little Friends Pre-School, Friends Meeting House

Little Friends Pre-School, Friends Meeting House 1 Hamlet Road, BIRMINGHAM, B28 9BG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 February 2016 2 July 2015

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The provider does not have a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Action taken to tackle weaknesses identified at previous inspections has not succeeded in raising the quality of the provision. Key weaknesses mean that welfare and learning and development requirements are not met.  The provider has not ensured that vetting procedures for students include obtaining and checking their enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check prior to their placement.  At inspection the provider was not able to provide documentation to show evidence that at least one member of staff holds a valid paediatric first-aid certificate.  The quality of teaching is weak. Staff do not receive effective support and coaching to raise their practice to at least a good level.  The monitoring of planning and assessment is not sufficiently rigorous to ensure staff make consistently accurate assessments of children's development. Consequently, the

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This provision is inadequate

next steps in children's learning are not identified or planned for. Children do not make enough progress.

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It has the following strengths

 Partnerships with other professionals are well established. As a result, disabled children and those with special educational needs are well supported.

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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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Due Date

 improve knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage 11/04/2016

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Due Date

 implement robust vetting procedures for students, to ensure their suitability to work with children includes obtaining evidence of their enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check 26/02/2016

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Due Date

 improve the supervision of staff, with particular reference to identifying and providing specific training to extend their knowledge and raise the quality of teaching to at least a good level 11/04/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that staff accurately observe and assess each child's learning, to identify children's levels of achievement and provide enjoyable and challenging learning experiences which are based on each child's next stage of development 11/04/2016

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Due Date

 implement effective systems to check the effectiveness of the educational programmes and children's progress and ensure any gaps in learning are identified and addressed 11/04/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that all records are easily accessible and available for inspection, with particular regard to evidence of paediatric first-aid qualifications. 26/02/2016

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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 completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector spoke to the manager and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as the pre-school's self- evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The provider does not have a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This means she is unable to monitor the welfare and learning requirements effectively. The monitoring of staff practice, knowledge and the quality of teaching is not robust enough to raise the overall quality of the provision. The manager has completed some self-evaluation. However, this has not been effective in identifying or addressing key weaknesses in the provision. Arrangements for safeguarding are ineffective. Vetting procedures for students are weak. The provider does not always ensure that Disclosure and Barring Service check information is obtained. Staff know the correct procedures to follow if they have any concerns about children in their care. Not all the required documentation was available during the inspection. For example, the provider was not able to provide documentation to evidence that any members of staff hold valid paediatric

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

first-aid certificates. Partnerships have been established with parents and some care and learning information is shared. Parents are happy with the service provided.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

Most staff are qualified and have attended further training. However, this has not led to improvements in the overall quality of the provision. Staff do not have a clear understanding of children's learning and development and teaching is not good enough. Although staff sit alongside children as they play, they do little to stimulate their learning. The questions staff ask children are limited and staff often repeat what children say in response to their comments. Staff do not accurately assess children's progress or set clear goals to help children move forward in their development. Some suitable teaching strategies are used. Staff promote children's early understanding of mathematics as they encourage them to count as they play. Children begin to appreciate books and stories when staff read to them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children's welfare is not fully promoted as there is not a robust procedure in place to check the suitability of students working in the pre-school. Gradual settling-in sessions help children to form bonds with staff when they join the pre-school. Children are generally happy and settled. Staff remind children about the simple rules at pre-school and children demonstrate their understanding as they confidently talk about using kind hands and sharing toys. Children behave well. Weaknesses in the quality of teaching mean that children are not always fully engaged in good quality, purposeful learning experiences. Staff do not engage with children enough and many activities are mundane and lack innovation. Children's health is promoted through a healthy diet and daily access to the outdoor play area. Outside, children are able to develop their physical skills as they enjoy running, chasing bubbles and riding on wheeled toys.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

Staff do not extend children's knowledge and skills well enough. Children are not provided with suitably challenging learning experiences and their progress is hindered. As a result, children are not adequately prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY434534 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 1023759 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 18 Name of provider Simka Stars Ltd Date of previous inspection 2 July 2015 Telephone number 07411917943

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Setting details

Little Friends Pre-School, Friends Meeting House was registered in 2011. The pre-school opens weekdays from 9.15am until 12.15pm, during term time only. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The manager is qualified at level 6. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports disabled children and those with special educational needs.

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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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