Little Owls Pre-School

Little Owls Pre-School Toc H Hall, 78 Cambrian Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9HH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 September 2016 26 January 2016

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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

 The manager and staff team have worked hard to meet the actions set at the previous inspection. They have made good use of the support of the local authority early years team to evaluate and develop their practice and improve outcomes for children.  Children benefit from a well-thought-out, welcoming and inviting indoor and outdoor learning environment. They easily choose from a wide range of resources and activities that interest them and motivate them to learn.  Staff have good relationships with children and make sure they are fully familiar with their individual needs. They work closely with other professionals where needed, to ensure a consistent approach.  Staff provide a wide variety of stimulating experiences for children based on a good understanding of their development, achievements and needs. Children join in with activities enthusiastically and make good progress in their learning.

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This provision is good

 Parents are warmly welcomed into the setting. The manager and staff seek their views regularly to help them make further improvements to the service they provide.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Opportunities for staff development are not fully focused on further raising the quality of teaching to the highest levels.  Staff do not consistently provide as much support as possible for parents to further extend their child's learning at home.

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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

 strengthen the arrangements for further supporting the ongoing professional development of staff to continue to raise the quality of teaching to the highest level  review the strategies for supporting parents to further extend children's learning at home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff and children taking part in activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector had discussions with the manager, the nominated person and members of staff about their practice and about children's learning and development.  The inspector sampled paperwork, including staff records and children's files.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke to parents and read their comments to take account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager completes thorough checks of staff to help make sure they are suitable to work with children. Staff have a good understanding of how to recognise and report any child protection concerns. All required paperwork is in place. The manager monitors staff performance effectively, for example, through regular meetings. Staff have begun to evaluate the provision more rigorously and are motivated to continually improve what they do. For instance, each staff member now has responsibility for developing an area of the pre-school. In addition, they have fully reviewed the organisation of the learning environment to help ensure children are stimulated and challenged and to increase opportunities for independent choices.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff observe children and monitor their development closely to help them quickly identify any areas where they need more support. They adapt activities where needed to help ensure all children are included. They get to know children well and are responsive to their interests. For instance, children enjoyed making rockets so staff helped them create a space ship in the role-play area. Children were delighted when staff joined in with their play. They enjoyed climbing on board and setting off on an adventure. Staff give children time to explore and encourage them to express their own ideas. For example, children painted their own planets, choosing colours and materials as they wished.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are warm and caring. They act as good role models and provide children with calm, consistent guidance and support. For example, they remind children of the rules at group times and show them how to use a sand timer to wait for their turn. Children behave well and quickly become familiar with the daily routines. An effective key-person system is in place. Staff build close relationships with new children and help them settle well, for instance, by encouraging them to share photos from home. Staff help children learn useful skills to keep themselves healthy and safe. For instance, children understand why they need to wash their hands before snack time and why they must not run inside.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting points. They become more independent. For instance, they spread their own toppings on their crackers at snack time and pour their own drinks. They confidently make choices and decisions about their day. Children get along well together, learning to share and take turns. They are eager to learn and concentrate well. Children become confident communicators. They are well prepared for their future learning and for the move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127336 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1037679 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person Little Owls Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 January 2016 Telephone number 07840977238

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reference number

Little Owls Pre-School registered in 1993. It operates from a community hall in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The pre-school is open each weekday during term time from 8.30am to midday, and until 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are five members of staff. Of these, one staff member holds a relevant qualification at level 4, one holds a level 3 qualification and one holds a qualification at level 2. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, 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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