Little Admirals Pre-school

Little Admirals Pre-school Exercise Deck, Admiral Lord Nelson School, Dundas Lane, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO3 5XT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 May 2016 16 July 2013

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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 work extremely hard each day to set up a stimulating and safe environment for children. All children feel welcomed, settled and happy.  Children receive good teaching, support and positive interaction from the staff, who know their key children well. Children make good progress in their development.  The staff are clear on their role and responsibility in meeting legal requirements. There is a strong focus on the safeguarding and welfare of children.  The management team works well together. There is a strong emphasis on the supervision and monitoring of staff practice to raise standards at the setting.  Staff communicate well with parents, particularly about children's learning and progress. For example, they have 'family days' where parents become involved in the children's play and find out how they can support learning at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Adult-led, group teaching times are not always planned effectively. The high number of children in each group sometimes makes it difficult for staff to deliver high quality teaching.  Although there is a well-established key-person system in place, particularly for the newest children, it is not completely effective in promoting high quality relationships during personal care routines.  Parents are not able to easily access the setting's policies and procedures.

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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

 reflect more rigorously on the quality of teaching, to ensure that adult-led activities are pitched consistently at the right level to enable extremely strong learning outcomes for children  strengthen further the role and responsibilities of key persons, to help promote very strong relationships among staff and children  develop a system whereby parents can view the setting's policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the children's play activities indoors and outdoors, looked at the available resources and read relevant documentation.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and nominated person about the effectiveness of leadership and management, including self-evaluation methods.  The inspector spoke to a sample of parents and took account of their views.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a clear knowledge of the procedures to follow if they are worried about a child or have concerns about an adult. Thorough systems are in place for the recruitment, vetting and induction of staff to ensure their performance is good. Overall, there is regular, self-reflective practice and a strong commitment towards improvement. Staff have a clear picture of their strengths and areas for development. Staff are well qualified and attend training, for example, on how best to support two-year- olds. They monitor children's progress and adjust their care and learning programme accordingly, such as reorganising lunchtime using new tables. Links with schools and other settings are strong with clear lines of communication.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff support children's play and learning effectively. They interact skilfully and purposefully with children, building on what children know and can do. During free-choice play, children are fully engaged and motivated to learn. They discover and find out about the world they live in. For example, they excitedly search for minibeasts in the 'bug hotel' outdoors and talk about their findings to adults. Staff observe children successfully, assess their needs and plan effectively for their future progress that is mostly delivered in free play. Staff encourage children to be physically active, for example, they develop balancing and jumping skills as they negotiate the obstacle course.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The caring and attentive staff build good relationships, overall, with the children, who show that they are confident and inquisitive learners. The newest children quickly settle and are cared for extremely well. They receive cuddles and comfort in times of need. Children feel safe. Staff have good safety and security procedures in place, such as during children's arrival and departure. Staff promote healthy lifestyles well. They place a strong emphasis on outdoor play and on healthy eating during snack time. Staff follow accident procedures closely. Overall, children behave well. Staff are good role models and receive training on how to manage children's behaviour consistently.

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Outcomes for children are good

The outcomes for children's learning are good because they receive good support and challenge from staff to help them achieve their next steps in learning. Children develop the key skills required for their future lives. For example, older children listen well at group time, observe the butterfly farm and show their understanding as they answer questions. They enthusiastically draw pictures, such as rainbows, using their imagination, and talk accurately about the colours and the number of pencils they will use. Children investigate flour using a variety of tools and use the touchscreen computer effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY312742 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 1028816 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 99 Name of provider Little Admirals Pre-School Committee Date of previous inspection 16 July 2013 Telephone number 02392 781367

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Setting details

Little Admirals registered in 2007. It is a community pre-school managed by a voluntary committee. The pre-school occupies the community wing on the premises of The Admiral Lord Nelson School in Portsmouth, Hampshire. The setting is open from 8am to 4pm during term time. The committee employs 17 staff, of whom 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above.

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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

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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