Little Crickets Pre School

Little Crickets Pre School Bridgwater Cricket Club, The Parks, Durleigh Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 7HR

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 October 2016 19 March 2013

p.1

3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

p.1

This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The provider has not ensured that information about staff's suitability is fully documented and available for inspection. This includes the issue date of the Disclosure and Barring Service check and who obtained it, as required. This is also a requirement of the Childcare Register.  Staff do not maintain an accurate record of children's names and hours of attendance to help ensure their welfare. This is also a requirement of the Childcare Register.  Staff do not make the best use of activities to encourage and respond to children's ideas and creativity.  Staff do not gain detailed information from parents about what children know and can do when they first start, and they do not effectively encourage parents to share what children learn at home, to contribute more fully to the planning of activities.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 The new manager has used her initial observations and evaluations of the provision well to identify areas to develop accurately. For example, she has initiated plans to improve the outdoor provision to provide children with greater opportunities and choice.  Children form close attachments with the caring staff and build strong friendships.  The special educational needs coordinator uses her partnerships with professionals and her training effectively to address any gaps in children's learning. Staff monitor all children's progress well and children make good progress from their starting points.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

Due Date

 ensure all required information relating to evidence of staff suitability, including identity checks, the vetting process that has been completed, and the Disclosure and Barring Service issue date and details of who obtained it, is available for inspection 11/11/2016

p.2

Due Date

 keep an accurate daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance. 11/11/2016

p.2

Due Date

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

p.2

Due Date

 support children's ideas further in their creative development  obtain further information from parents about children's starting points and their achievements at home, to better support the planning of activities.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff interactions with children indoors and in the outdoor area.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector considered the written views of parents.  The inspector spoke with the management team, staff and children at convenient times during the inspection.  The inspector sampled documentation, including children's assessment records and the setting's self-evaluation.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. The management team and staff have a good knowledge of their responsibility to report any child protection concerns and work well in partnership with local safeguarding agencies. Although the provider confirms she completes suitability checks for new staff, she is not able to evidence this, as required. The provider does not ensure staff keep an accurate record of children's attendance. There are sound systems to support staff's professional development, for example, through regular supervision, training and visits to other nurseries. This has improved staff's awareness of safety and how to encourage children to assess risk for themselves.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff organise the environment effectively. Children independently choose from a good range of toys and resources to benefit their play. Staff plan a broad range of experiences and assess children's progress successfully. However, they do not always gain sufficient information from parents to support their planning more fully. There are good opportunities for children to play and learn together, for example, to share a story or to explore different shapes. Occasionally, staff do not follow children's ideas and support their creativity. Staff support children's communication and language skills effectively. For example, they talk to children about how they fill the moulds to make sandcastles, building their vocabulary well. Children respond well to questions, for example, developing their animal stories as they play in the soil, and respect other children's ideas.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

The weaknesses in recording children's attendance and documenting evidence of staff suitability and vetting procedures do not fully support children's welfare. However, staff positively support children's care needs and well-being. They praise children for their achievements and encourage them to take 'Jimmy Cricket' home to celebrate their success with parents, helping children develop good self-esteem. Children benefit greatly from regular opportunities to be physically active. For example, they confidently negotiate space on the scooters and bikes, and engage in running games with their friends.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children gain good skills for their future learning and eventual move to school. They are motivated to learn and concentrate well. Children gain good independence and are helpful, for example, preparing snack and pouring their own drinks. Children develop good mathematical skills and do things for themselves. For example, they count accurately and slice the correct amount of banana to share. Children behave well, listen attentively and follow instructions well, for example, to sit and choose songs together.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY456172 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 1063182 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Rebecca Louise Eades

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 19 March 2013 Telephone number 07930 575016

p.4

reference number

Little Crickets Pre School is privately owned and registered in 2012. It operates from Bridgwater Cricket Club, Somerset. The pre-school operates Monday to Thursday, from 8.15am to 4.30pm, for 50 weeks of the year. It receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The owner holds an early years qualification at level 3. She is supported by a manager who holds an early years qualification at level 3 and six members of staff, of whom two hold an early years qualification at level 3 and two hold a qualification at level 2.

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