Little Stars Pre-School Scole

Scole Pre-School Group c/o Scole Community Centre, Ransome Avenue, Scole, Diss, Norfolk, IP21 4EA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 September 2016 30 September 2015

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision is inadequate

 The registered provider has failed to address a previous action and further significant weaknesses have been identified at this inspection. Ofsted has not been provided with the information necessary to conduct suitability checks on every person involved with the leadership of the provision.  The provider has failed to ensure that members of the committee understand their roles and responsibilities in regard to the early years foundation stage. There is a poor capacity to lead improvement in the setting.  The designated lead practitioner for safeguarding children in the setting does not have a robust knowledge of current guidance and legislation on how to keep children safe. Policies and procedures do not reflect current Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance.  The provider is not offering appropriate supervision to the manager to effectively support her in carrying out her roles and responsibilities.

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This provision is inadequate

 Staff do not successfully engage with all parents to exchange detailed information about children's learning and progress. Parents do not receive clear guidance on how to support their children's development further at home.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff observe children as they play and use information from the assessments to plan for their future learning and development.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take enforcement action

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to:

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Due Date

 provide Ofsted with the information necessary to conduct suitability checks on all committee members 31/10/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that all committee members have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities with regard to the early years foundation stage, in order to identify and address weaknesses and lead improvement in the setting 31/10/2016

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Due Date

 ensure the designated lead for safeguarding has the most up-to- date knowledge of safeguarding issues, in order to effectively support safeguarding practice in the setting 31/10/2016

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Due Date

 implement effective policies and procedures to safeguard children which are in line with current guidance and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board 31/10/2016

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Due Date

 implement an effective system of supervision, support and coaching for the manager, fostering a culture of mutual support and teamwork to drive improvement. 31/10/2016

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Due Date

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 provide parents with detailed information about their child's learning and development, engaging and supporting them in guiding their children's development at home. 31/10/2016

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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 completed a joint observation with the setting manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the setting manager and nominated person of the committee. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.  The inspector sampled a range of other documentation, including the learning and development records of children, the setting's policies and procedures and risk assessments.  The inspector spoke to the children and a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The management of the setting is weak and significant concerns remain in the safeguarding and welfare of children. Ofsted has not been provided with the required information in order to assess the suitability of all committee members, despite this being raised as an action at the previous inspection. Children's safety and welfare are not assured, as appropriate checks have not been completed to assess the suitability of all members of the leadership team. The committee members have not updated their knowledge and understanding of their roles since the last inspection. Leaders are not able to evaluate or monitor the quality of the provision as they do not have a robust understanding of the early years foundation stage requirements. They do not provide supervision or support to the manager in her role. The manager does not evaluate practice within the setting appropriately and has relied on external support to help her

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

with this. However, the failure to meet a previous action demonstrates the provider's inability to bring about improvement. Safeguarding is not effective. The manager and staff do not have a secure understanding of current safeguarding procedures and associated policies have not been updated.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Parents are only given basic day-to-day information about what their children can do and are learning. They are not encouraged to engage in a shared approach to be actively involved in their children's learning. Children do not, therefore, benefit from a continuous approach to learning and staff are not always able to build on learning which children bring from home. The staff are developing their teaching skills to support children's learning. Currently, the numbers of children attending are low and the adult-to-child ratio allows for individual support and staff interaction. Children are motivated and eager to learn when they arrive at the setting. Staff join in with children's play and question them appropriately to enhance their learning and support communication and language skills. Staff undertake observations of children's achievements and assess their levels of progress appropriately.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

The persistent weaknesses in leadership and management of the setting have a significant impact on children's welfare. Parents are not assured of the suitability of those who have overall responsibility for their children's welfare. Staff do not have the skills and knowledge to protect them appropriately. Staff are not aware of the risks associated with vulnerable families being drawn into extreme behaviours, or of the signs that children could be at risk of significant harm. Children demonstrate suitable behaviour for their age and staff act appropriately around children, modelling good manners. Staff nurture and support children who are new to the setting to help them settle. Children's health and physical development are promoted. They enjoy regular active play outdoors and benefit from nutritious snacks and drinks. Staff promote children's independence as they attend to their personal care needs and encourage them to select toys and resources to use in their play.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

The progress that children make is not as rapid as it could be given their starting points. Staff do not share enough information with parents to help them extend and challenge children even further. Nevertheless, children happily get involved in activities and like to explore different materials, such as the sand. They are acquiring some basic skills to help prepare them for the next stage in their learning, and their eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 254260 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 1033845 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 8 Name of registered person Scole Pre School Group Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 30 September 2015 Telephone number 07925 093 551

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reference number

Scole Pre-School Group registered in 1970. The pre-school employs three members of childcare staff, two of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and level 3. The pre-school opens from Tuesday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 12.15pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9.25am to 3pm on Wednesday.

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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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