The Little School

The Little School St Mary the Virgin, Mortlake High Street, Mortlake, London, SW14 8JA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 December 2016 18 June 2013

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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 is dedicated and leads her staff by good example. She works alongside them successfully to ensure good outcomes for children.  The manager and staff are enthusiastic about their work. They use their strong knowledge of the early years foundation stage to provide interesting and stimulating activities that motivate children to learn. Children make good developmental progress from their starting points.  Children are happy and settled. They are supported particularly well during times of change. For example, staff ensured that children were safe and comfortable when they had to move to another room within the premises on the day before the inspection.  Staff make good use of the local community to support children's healthy lifestyles. For example, children enjoy fresh air and have regular opportunities to practise their physical skills. This helps to build children's confidence.  Partnerships with parents are effective. Parents feel confident to approach staff and

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This provision is good

feel that they are well informed about their children's learning and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently encourage children to think for themselves and find solutions to the challenges they encounter to fully extend their learning.  When exceptional circumstances require use of a different area of the premises, the organisation of some routines interrupts children's activities and concentration.

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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

 increase ways of challenging children even further to think and solve problems for themselves  take full account of the impact of any unforeseen changes required in the organisation of the setting to minimise any disruption to children's play and concentration.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector read and discussed the setting's self-evaluation with the manager, and discussed how they target areas for improvement.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation and a selection of policies, including risk assessment and safeguarding procedures.  The inspector observed children and staff during play and completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector toured the setting, accompanied staff and children on their outdoor play, and talked to staff and children at appropriate times.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff know the child protection procedures well and are confident to report any concerns about children in their care. They are vigilant in their supervision of children and work together successfully to ensure children's safety and well-being. The manager evaluates the setting well and makes good use of staff meetings to identify strengths and areas for improvement. For example, she is reflecting on how to improve planning even further to benefit children. The manager follows effective checks to ensure the suitability of staff. She supervises staff well and supports their professional development. For example, following training, staff improved their knowledge and skills in supporting children with different learning needs.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make precise observations and assessments of what children know and can do. They use the information effectively to plan for any gaps in children's learning, working closely with parents and other professionals to help them catch up quickly. Staff create many opportunities to support children's communication and language skills. For example, during group time children enjoyed singing songs and expressing their observations about the weather. Staff engage children well in conversations and share books with them regularly, supporting, for example, their literacy skills. Children practise their creative and mathematical skills, for example, as they thread wooden fruit beads onto strings, counting them as they go along.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well. They say kind words, such as 'please' and 'thank you'. Staff are sensitive and gentle with children, and they have clear boundaries and expectations. For example, they encourage children to share, take turns, and to respect each other, their toys and resources. Staff are welcoming and support all children's confidence and self- esteem effectively, including those who speak English as an additional language. Staff teach children about similarities and differences in people. For example, they celebrate many different events to extend children's understanding of the world around them.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress and any gaps in learning close swiftly. For example, speech and language delays are quickly identified and children receive timely support. This helps them to gain confidence in speaking and to form positive relationships with others. Children who are new to the setting settle quickly and feel secure. Older children gain strong independence skills. For example, they learn to look after their environment, such as tidying up, and take responsibility for their personal care. Children learn the skills they need for their next stage in learning, including their move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY456244 Local authority Richmond upon Thames Inspection number 1063183 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Lori Ladbon

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 18 June 2013 Telephone number 07890 506358

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reference number

The Little School registered in 2012. It operates from church premises in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is open from Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 12.30pm, during school term time only. The Little School employs four staff including the manager, all of whom hold a relevant early years qualification. The Little School is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early 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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