The Little Shepherds Preschool

The Little Shepherds Preschool The Scout Hut, Mill Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 5BU

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 May 2016 Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The manager regularly evaluates the success of the pre-school. She has a clear understanding of the strengths and accurately identifies areas to develop. For example, she actively encourages staff to improve their level of qualification.  Staff benefit from training opportunities that help them improve the learning environments for children. For example, a course helped staff make better use of the outside space to support children who prefer to learn outdoors.  The staff build strong relationships with parents. For example, parents regularly contribute information about their children's learning and development. This helps inform staff about their ongoing abilities, progress and interests at home.  Children show real enthusiasm for learning. For instance, they concentrate well and are confident to try new things. Children make good progress.  Staff act as good role models; for example, they teach children to respect each other

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The management does not make the most effective use of its monitoring systems to ensure more precisely that different groups of children make the best possible progress.  At times, some staff do not always allow sufficient time between questions to encourage children to think creatively about their response.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 improve the current process for monitoring specific groups of children to ensure they all make the best possible progress  develop all staff's understanding of how to extend children's creative thinking skills further.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the manager's and staff's knowledge about the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector spoke with parents of children who attend the pre-school.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including policies, children's progress reports, public liability insurance and staff suitability.  The inspector had discussions with the manager and staff about the learning experiences provided for children.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager and staff have a positive commitment to make continual improvements. Staff regularly meet with the manager to discuss ways to improve their practice and teaching skills. They participate in the evaluation process and contribute their ideas for improvements. Safeguarding is effective. Staff are confident about the procedures to follow and know who they should contact if they have any concerns about children's welfare. The manager and staff are very conscious about security and keep records confidential. Staff are supported well by the manager.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children learn early writing skills, for example, as they use paints outside. Staff encourage children to problem solve, for instance, when they worked together to decide the best way to retrieve a stick from a tree. Staff support children with special educational needs and those with English as an additional language well to make good progress. They use information provided by other early years professionals to support their ongoing development. For example, they engage children in activities recommended by a speech therapist to extend language skills and share dual-language books with children. The manager and staff regularly assess children's progress and identify their next learning goals. They effectively plan for these based on individual children's needs and abilities.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children learn about how to keep healthy. For example, they know why they need to wash their hands after playing outside, before they eat, to avoid getting sick. Children receive positive emotional support and quickly build attachments with their key person. Children are very settled and they behave extremely well. They learn in a calm, interesting and stimulating environment. Children have many opportunities to develop their independence. For example, they confidently put on their coats before playing outside.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children learn at typical levels of development for their age. They gain positive skills that prepare them for the next stage of their learning or school. For example, they competently use the computer mouse when they follow an appropriate computer program. Children talk confidently to adults and other children, and have good levels of independence. They practise their counting skills as they play, such as when they swing a rope backwards and forwards. Children are interested in their play and learning. For example, they get to choose what they want to do, such as using the dressing-up clothes to become superheroes.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY479288 Local authority Kent Inspection number 983352 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 26 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person Laura Jane Ramage

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07768992193

p.4

reference number

The Little Shepherds Preschool was registered in 2014. It operates from the scout hall in Sevenoaks, Kent. The pre-school opens each weekday, with sessions from 9.15am to 2.45pm, during school term times. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are three members of staff; of whom, two hold appropriate childcare qualifications, including the manager who has a level 6 qualification.

p.4

reference number

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.

p.4

reference number

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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

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

p.5