Little Stars Pre-School

Little Stars Pre-School Kirkley Sports & Social Club, Recreation Ground, Walmer Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 7LE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 November 2015 25 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

 Teaching is consistently strong. Staff accurately assess, monitor and record children's progress. They understand how children learn and plan activities based on their individual needs and interests.  Staff develop and extend children's communication skills through purposeful conversations and by effectively modelling language.  Children are happy and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging because they form positive relationships with staff. Staff show genuine care and interest during their interactions with children.  Staff provide a wide range of activities and experiences that interest, challenge and motivate children.  Staff establish strong partnerships with parents to ensure that all children's needs are met. This effectively promotes continuity in learning and care between home and the pre-school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, staff do not fully support children to think critically and express their thoughts and ideas during activities.  Staff do not maximise opportunities for children to listen to and engage in story time sessions, particularly with a large group of children.

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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

 arrange story time to allow children to fully listen and concentrate, so they are more able to engage and interact within the session.  further challenge children's learning by asking more questions to encourage them to think for themselves, using their own ideas.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and its impact on children's learning both indoors and outside.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager and looked at relevant documentation including a range of children's records, planning and evaluation documentation, the setting's self-evaluation and improvement plan, policies and procedures.  The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a clear understanding of their role and responsibility in protecting children. Recruitment procedures are robust and the manager checks the ongoing suitability of staff. Regular supervision and training enable staff to further enhance their good practice. Staff attend a range of targeted training courses to further develop their skills and knowledge. The pre-school has an accurate view of what it has achieved and needs to do further. The manager monitors children's progress and the quality of staff's assessment to identify and address any gaps in children's development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know individual children extremely well and actively exchange information with parents about their child's emerging skills and abilities. Staff make accurate assessments of children's progress and have high expectations of children. They use this information to plan experiences to promote the next steps in learning so that children remain motivated. Children develop good mathematical and communication skills. For example, they confidently talk about and identify items that are faster or slower, heavier or lighter going down the pipe and water play system. Children move freely between the learning environments. They confidently initiate their play using the range of good quality resources available which helps to promote their independence. Staff share detailed learning journeys with parents, who contribute ideas and share achievements of their child. Good links with other agencies and schools promote consistency for children moving

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children rapidly gain independence skills that are appropriate to their ages and stages of development. Children are happy and settled. An effective key-person approach means that children's individual care needs are valued and respected. Children's behaviour is exemplary because staff are excellent role models and successfully support children to share, take turns and play cooperatively. Children's good health is promoted successfully. They enjoy healthy snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables. The outdoor area is used effectively to provide excellent opportunities for daily physical activity and exploration. Staff support children's emotional and social well-being in preparation for their move to school. Children learn that everyone is different through detailed planning of various cultural festivals.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are eager to take part and fully engage in all learning opportunities. All children make good progress from their starting points. Gaps in learning are quickly identified and effective support is given. Children are given time to play and explore activities, adapting them as they choose. They develop the strong foundations they need to prepare them well for the next steps in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251594 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 1025511 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 34 Name of provider Allison Jane Bayfield Date of previous inspection 25 November 2014 Telephone number 07926054096

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Setting details

Little Stars Pre-School opened under its present management in January 2001 and is on the Early Years Register. It is privately owned and operates from a large hall in a community and sports centre situated on the outskirts of Lowestoft, Suffolk. All children share access to a secure outdoor play area. The pre-school is open each weekday during term time only. Opening times are Monday to Friday from 9.05am to 12.05pm and also Tuesday and Friday from 12.45pm to 3.45pm. The pre-school cares for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. There are currently four members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6.

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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

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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

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