Little Lambs Playgroup

Little Lambs Playgroup Braunstone Frith Recreation Centre, Sharmon Crescent, Leicester, LE3 6NW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 March 2016 Not applicable

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 Difficulties in staffing arrangements have led to inconsistencies in the way staff deal with poor behaviour in the playgroup.  On occasions, children are not given enough time to put their thoughts into words when questions are asked of them.  The use of self-evaluation is not yet fully embedded into everyday practice.

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It has the following strengths

 Effective partnerships with the local school have been established to help children with their move to the school. This is highly valued by parents.  Disabled children and those with special educational needs are given positive support to meet their individual needs. Staff work effectively with parents and other agencies involved in children's care, enabling all children to make progress in their learning and development.  Staff create a welcoming environment where children feel safe and secure.  Children are encouraged to manage their own care needs. They wash their hands before snacks and after going to the toilet.

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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

 establish a consistent approach to dealing with children's behaviour so that all staff manage this effectively. 10/06/2016

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 increase the opportunities for children to develop their thinking skills by allowing them time to put their thoughts into words when responding to questions asked of them  develop the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and weaknesses in teaching practice and improve outcomes for children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the manager and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector talked to the children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector observed children's indoor play, as well as their snack and hygiene routines.  The inspector engaged in a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector sampled various documents, including risk assessments, the setting's action plan, and a range of policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Procedures for staff recruitment, selection and induction are robust and vetting procedures for staff meet requirements. The well-qualified manager observes staff practice and training needs are identified. Staff have attended a range of mandatory and additional training to enhance their practice, including managing children's behaviour positively. However, key staff have recently left the setting and temporary staffing arrangements are in place to ensure ratios are maintained. These temporary staffing arrangements, while positive, have resulted in an inconsistency of practice, especially with regard to the management of more challenging behaviour. Self-evaluation is in its infancy, but action plans show the key priorities the manager wishes to address.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children well and have a good understanding of their needs, capabilities and interests. They accurately observe and assess children's progress and identify any gaps in their development. They plan well to close those gaps, working closely with parents and other professionals. Staff provide a wide range of activities, supporting children to make progress in their learning and development. Planning is flexible and tailored to meet the children's individual needs as well as their interests. Staff engage in activities with the children and extend their thinking skills through play. However, at times, staff do not give children enough time to consider and answer questions for themselves.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Staff are very caring and attentive to the children's needs. They use effective settling-in arrangements and form strong bonds with the children who are happy within the playgroup. The current staffing situation has led to children's behaviour not being managed consistently. Familiar staff within the setting are beginning to role model how to behave towards others. Children, with some support, are beginning to build friendships with each other. Their turn taking skills are being developed. For example, they take it in turns to blow up balloons and excitedly watch as they blow around the room. Children are being supported in learning to respect each other's similarities and differences. Parents speak positively about the pre-school. They feel their children are safe and well cared for. Staff are friendly and caring. With adult support, children are learning to follow positive hygiene routines. They learn about the benefits of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

and they have access to fresh air daily. This contributes to their understanding of leading a healthy lifestyle.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including disabled children and those with special educational needs, are making progress from their starting points. The next steps in children's learning are being identified and planned for. Children are developing their early mathematics and literacy. They recognise and find their written name on arrival. Currently, some behaviour is not being positively managed. However, children are beginning to gain the confidence and skills needed for their next stages in learning, including the move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479411 Local authority Leicester City Inspection number 981836 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 24 Name of provider Lisa Ann Marraffa Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 0790 4918784

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Setting details

Little Lambs Playgroup was registered in 2014. The playgroup employs four members of childcare staff, one member of staff holds Early Years Professional status and two hold qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens during term time from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on a Monday, 9am to 2pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 9am to 12 noon on Wednesdays. The playgroup provides support for 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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