Little Skylarks Pre-School

Little Skylarks Pre-School Randwick Village Hall, Chapelfields, Randwick, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 6HS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 June 2016 3 November 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

 Managers and staff have a good understanding of how children learn and develop. Children are stimulated, challenged and engaged consistently in their play. They make good progress from their initial starting points.  Managers and staff are very good role models. They set clear boundaries so that children know what they expect of them. Children's behaviour is good; they are tolerant, kind and respectful to each other.  Managers and staff keep parents well informed about their children's learning and how to continue this at home. Parents are complimentary about the care and teaching their children receive. They have nothing but praise for staff and the service provided.  Managers and staff have successfully addressed the areas for improvement set at the last inspection. They have raised the overall quality of the setting to a good level and evaluation plans are well targeted towards improving outcomes for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, staff do not give children enough time to think about, and respond to, questions and share their experiences.  Managers and staff do not always provide enough opportunities for children to fully build on and extend their understanding of simple technology.

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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

 make full use of every opportunity to encourage children to share their own knowledge, think through ideas and respond to questions  provide children with more opportunities to investigate simple technology.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including attendance records, accidents, staff suitability checks, the self-assessment information, children's observation, assessment and planning records, and documentation linked to managing children's progress.  The inspector spoke with members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection, and held meetings with manager.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector took into account the views of parents and carers spoken to on the day of the inspection, and from written questionnaires.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff have a good understanding of the procedure to follow should they have any concerns about the welfare of a child. In addition, rigorous recruitment processes help to contribute to ensuring that staff and volunteers are of high quality, and suitably checked. The manager analyses and tracks children's development well. Any gaps in learning are swiftly identified and addressed. The manager works closely with her staff team and monitors their performance well. For example, they observe each other's practice, share ideas and attend regular team meetings, to help improve children's outcomes. The manager and staff are well qualified. They attend regular professional development opportunities, for example, to raise the quality of teaching continually. Effective arrangements are in place when children move to school to help towards ensuring continuity in their care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff observe and assess children's progress accurately, and they use this information to help plan for their individual next steps in learning. Overall, staff support children's language and communication skills effectively. For example, children talk about their holidays and are keen to share their knowledge of world flags. Children enjoy mixing different materials to create pictures and models. They use their imaginations as they play cooperatively with their friends, pretending to make porridge and cups of tea. Children listen carefully to stories and rhymes, and join in with enthusiasm. They recognise their name, write letters and explore letter sounds, enhancing their early literacy skills. Staff teach children to solve problems and learn about acceptable risk. For example, children relish making structures and using one-handed tools to cut wood.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children develop warm and secure attachments to staff, supporting their well-being, independence and readiness to learn. Staff teach children to follow good routines that help them to keep healthy. For example, children manage their own personal care needs. Staff encourage children to develop their physical skills in the outdoor area, where children thoroughly enjoy making mud pies and rehoming snails. Children have first-hand experiences when learning about the world around them. For example, they celebrate a range of festivals and go on outings, and walks, within the community.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are progressing well, in readiness for school. They take responsibility for their environment when they tidy up and are sociable and independent learners. Children make good progress in their mathematical learning. For example, they identify numbers confidently, discuss weight and volume, sort objects and count as they play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY433951 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 1032265 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 3 - 4 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 12 Name of registered person Little Skylarks Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 3 November 2015 Telephone number 07788410029

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reference number

Little Skylarks registered in 2011. The pre-school is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 1pm, during term time only. The pre-school manager/owner is a qualified teacher and the other member of staff holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3. The pre- school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged three and four years.

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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.

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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.

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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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