Little Elms Pre-School Limited

Little Elms Pre-School Limited Templars Junior School, Cressing Road, WITHAM, Essex, CM8 2NJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 December 2015 4 December 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

 Managers and staff show a strong commitment towards continuing to improve the quality of the pre-school. All staff share ideas to build on the quality of the service they provide for children and their families.  All children make good progress from their starting points. They are developing skills that will support them in their future learning, for example, at school.  Children settle quickly and effectively because staff support their personal, social and emotional development. Staff value children's home languages and use simple words and phrases to help children feel welcomed and settled.  Staff work closely with all parents to make sure that they meet their children's needs. Parents regularly contribute to their children's learning and enjoy completing activities that staff suggest for them to do at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Assessment arrangements are currently being adapted to improve the quality and frequency of assessments of individual children. The system is not fully developed to encourage children to make their best possible progress.

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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

 improve the quality and frequency of assessment of all children, to enable staff to ensure that children make their best possible progress

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff and children in activities both indoors and outdoors.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with one manager of the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to parents to gather their views about the pre-school.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation that supports the running of the pre- school, including records of staff suitability, assessment records of children and a range of policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Strong managers lead an experienced staff team and are good roles models to staff. Managers regularly feedback on staff practice and staff feel encouraged and supported to develop their skills. This has improved teaching and other practice since the last inspection. Managers track children's movement around the premises and have changed resources to improve children's engagement. For example, they noticed that boys were not using the reading area as much as girls and adapted the range and presentation of books so boys and girls use this area equally. Arrangements to safeguard children are effective. Staff have a thorough understanding of child protection and are vigilant about the safety of children in their care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff plan and deliver a wide range of activities that engage children's interests, support their development, and help them to make good progress. Staff know their key children well and overall plan activities to meet individual needs. Children develop strong language skills because staff interact well with children, using lively conversations as well as regular commentary of children's play. Staff prepare interesting resources and allow children to explore these at their leisure. Children then interact with resources how they wish to, rather than as directed. For example, children play in the garden with piles of leaves and flowerpots. They turn the leaves into popcorn and pretend that they are at a cinema. Staff play alongside children, supporting this creative game which lasts for a long time. The planning system is currently being developed as not all staff plan the most relevant next step to promote all children's best possible progress.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children feel safe and secure in the preschool because they have strong relationships with staff and each other. They behave well as staff are good role models and remind children what is expected of them. Children enjoy joining in simple tasks such as tidying up which helps them to care for their environment. Staff support children to manage their good health. For example, children know to wash their own hands before eating and messy play, and put tissues in the bin. Children enjoy plenty of play outside in the fresh air. The garden is well-resourced and inviting to encourage the children to use this area as much as possible. Staff have a well-rounded view of children in their care because communication with parents and other settings that children attend is effective.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and are well-prepared for their next stage in learning, including school. Children learn to be independent as they hang up their own coats, and dress themselves to play outside. Children’s communication and language skills are strong and they speak confidently to adults and each other. Children can sit and concentrate on activities as they play with a wide range of interesting resources. Children have good physical skills because they have regular opportunities to develop their muscle control. For example, children run through leaves in the garden, and learn to walk on uneven surfaces to develop their balance.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY378804 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1025524 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 46 Name of provider Little Elms Pre School Ltd Date of previous inspection 4 December 2014 Telephone number 07809 254881

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Setting details

Little Elms Pre-school was registered in 2001 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. It is located within Templars Junior School in the Witham area of Essex. The pre-school employs nine members of childcare staff with appropriate early years qualifications. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 12noon Monday, Thursday and Friday and from 9am until 3.30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports a number of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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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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