Litlington Kindergarten

Litlington Kindergarten The Village Hall, Litlington, Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 5RQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 March 2016 11 March 2015

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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 staff team works very well together. The staff constantly discuss and evaluate their practice. They have a strong commitment to improvement in providing good-quality teaching and learning experiences.  Staff have a good understanding of how children learn and develop. They provide interesting and challenging activities that motivate and engage children.  Children are very well behaved. Staff set clear boundaries and children begin to understand right from wrong. Children respond well to praise and know that their efforts are valued.  Children are provided with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the exciting outdoor play area. They experiment with guttering and predict the movement of water and dry sand.  Parents are overwhelmingly positive and full of praise for the staff team. They recognise that their children's social development and confidence in language and communication has grown since they started attending.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, staff do not fully extend children's spontaneous discoveries, for example, when they discover the force of a magnet.  During group activities such as circle time, staff do not always consider the needs of different age groups. This sometimes results in younger children not being fully engaged.

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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

 extend teaching strategies for encouraging children to explore their own ideas  strengthen the organisation of group activities to better support the learning of children of all age groups.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching both inside and outside.  The inspector spoke to staff about how they plan for children's individual learning needs and how they monitor their progress.  The inspector had discussions with the manager, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff working with the children.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Managers have taken effective steps to address the recommendations from the previous inspection. All weaknesses identified have been met effectively with new action plans devised. Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a thorough knowledge of child protection and the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare. The manager and deputy manager use their knowledge and experience to continually develop the service the setting provides. They observe childcare practice so that appropriate training needs can be clearly identified. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their children. This helps staff support children to settle and promote their learning and development right from the start. Parents welcome ideas for activities they can do to support their children's learning at home.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff skilfully promote children's communication skills. Staff encourage children to listen and to take turns in speaking. During lively discussions, children imaginatively express themselves and use a wide vocabulary. Staff provide children with a range of exciting activities linked to their interests, to promote development across all areas of learning. For example, children explore a range of items, such as riding hats, saddles and outdoor jumping events that relate to their current interest in horses. Children benefit from a wide range of opportunities to learn about people and communities. For example, they visit a local farm and learn about Peru and their customs, making them aware of others.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

A flexible and tailored settling-in procedure enables children's individual routines from home to be continued. Children develop secure emotional attachments with their key person, promoting their confidence and well-being. Children are becoming independent. Children take off coats and wellington boots when they return from outdoor play. Counting forms part of children's daily routines. For example, at snack times, older children count how many children are present to establish the number of plates and cups needed. Staff promote children's understanding of how to be healthy, for example, through well-planned activities on making healthy food choices and well-managed personal care routines. Children enjoy daily opportunities for physical play outdoors.

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Outcomes for children are good

Staff accurately assess children's progress and have a good knowledge of each child's stage of development and individual learning priorities. Staff have developed tracking and monitoring processes to help identify and close gaps in children's learning. Children are developing the skills and attitudes that prepare them well for the next stage in their learning, including starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY404229 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 1009567 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 14 Number of children on roll 11 Name of provider Litlington Kindergarten CIC Date of previous inspection 11 March 2015 Telephone number 01323 871721

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Setting details

Litlington Kindergarten registered in 2010. It is one of three settings run by the same owner and operates from the village hall in Litlington, East Sussex. The kindergarten opens during term time only on a Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 4pm and on a Friday from 9am to 3pm. There are three members of staff, one of whom has an appropriate early years qualification at level 3, and the manager has Early Years Professional Status. The kindergarten receives funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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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