Lollipops Pre-school Ltd

Lollipops Pre-school Ltd The Orchards, Dartford, DA1 1DN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 September 2016 12 May 2016

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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 newly appointed manager has worked tirelessly to raise standards in the setting following the last inspection. She has thoroughly evaluated practice and implemented clear action plans to effectively address identified weaknesses.  The quality of teaching is consistently good. Staff find out what children can do and know, and use this information to plan purposeful activities. They interact with children skilfully and help them gain key personal, social and physical skills in readiness for school.  Partnerships with parents, other local organisations, specialist staff and schools are good. They all work very well together to meet children's individual needs and support continuity in their learning and care.  Children's behaviour is good. Staff calmly support children to help them think about their actions and start to learn how to deal with their feelings.  Children benefit from the well-planned and stimulating learning environment. They are

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This provision is good

focused in their chosen activities and are keen, motivated learners.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children have few opportunities to use real tools, utensils and natural materials, to help further build on their physical skills and their understanding of their world.  The staff do not consistently explore further ways to provide parents with information on how they can increase the healthy lunch box options they provide.

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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

 build on opportunities for children to use an even wider range of resources and equipment to help increase their physical skills and understanding of their world  increase the range of information available to parents to help them reinforce healthy eating and healthy choices with their children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed a variety of activities throughout the setting.  The inspector undertook a joint inspection with the provider and manager and held discussions in relation to children's play, learning and progress.  The inspector talked to parents, staff and children to gather their views.  The inspector looked at a selection of policies, children's records and planning systems.  The inspector discussed the pre-school's self-evaluation process with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. All staff understand their responsibility to protect children. Staff are aware of how to provide a safe environment and know what to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare. They consistently use the newly devised policies and procedures to help them keep children safe. Management effectively monitors staff's practice and prioritises their professional development. They help staff identify where further training will benefit their practice. For instance, staff recently attended training to help them manage children's behaviour more effectively. Management and staff have high expectations of themselves and work very well as a team.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Management and staff use observation, assessment and planning systems effectively. They monitor children's progress from their starting points and plan for their individual learning needs well. Staff consider children's interests well and gather information from parents about what their children do at home. Staff provide a varied range of resources to build on children's creativity skills. For example, they learn how to mix different ingredients together to make their own moulding dough. Staff question children well and encourage them to use their thinking skills. Staff carefully consider where to place resources for children. For example, they make paper and pencils easily available so children can write lists and measurements as they act out different scenarios, such as being construction workers. This supports their early literacy and imaginative skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff create a caring and nurturing environment where children develop their confidence and self-esteem. They enjoy talking to both staff and visitors and form positive friendships with other children. Staff carefully develop routines that provide children with many opportunities to be independent and gain self-care skills. For example, children prepare and serve their own snack and then tidy away their utensils. Staff build on children's awareness of healthy lifestyles. For example, children enjoy shopping at a local fruit and vegetable stall to buy the snack they want. Staff take children out every day, for example, to be physically active in the park, visit the library or other local amenities.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are enthusiastic learners who excitedly engage in a range of interesting and challenging activities. They share and take turns well. Children are making good progress in their learning from their starting points. They develop good literacy skills. For example, they enjoy listening and joining in with favourite stories, and some also write and sound out the letters in their name. Children are acquiring the key skills they need for their future learning and are well prepared for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477579 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1052391 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 - 5 Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Lollipops Pre-school Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 May 2016 Telephone number 01322 291151

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reference number

Lollipops Pre-school re-registered in 2014 and operates in Dartford, Kent. The pre-school is open on Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm during term time only. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are four members of staff, of whom one holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3 and three at level 2. The pre-school also operates a creche service, where children may stay for up to two hours.

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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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