Little Stars Preschool

Little Stars Preschool South Borough Primary School, Stagshaw Close, Postley Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6TL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 May 2017 19 May 2015

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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 her team are committed to improvement and have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the setting. Staff focus strongly on promoting positive outcomes for all children, including those who have additional needs. Children make good progress from their starting points.  The strong key-person system helps children form close relationships with staff who are responsive to children's needs. They place an emphasis on developing children's emotional well-being, including support for their good self-esteem.  Staff engage children effectively in a wide range of reading materials and develop their early literacy skills well. For example, they recreate traditional nursery tales using resources and puppets. Children excitedly retell the stories to their friends.  Children behave extremely well. Staff support them to understand about fairness, how to share and be kind. For instance, children are respectful of their friends and

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This provision is good

successfully work together to find the sand timer and negotiate turn taking.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always organise daily routines and group sessions well enough to make sure that all children are interested and engaged and able to fully concentrate, making the most of all learning opportunities.  The programme for the support and professional development of staff, is not fully embedded to show further impact on the already good teaching and practice.

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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

 review the organisation of some activities and routines to ensure children remain interested and engaged  provide staff with even further support to help them raise the quality of their practice to the highest levels.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and they discussed their findings.  The inspector spoke with the manager about the methods she uses to evaluate the provision.  The inspector spoke with staff about their knowledge of child protection and the procedures they follow to keep children safe.  The inspector viewed learning documents and spoke with staff about their knowledge of their key children and how they support their learning.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff undertake safeguarding training and have a secure knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of a welfare concern about a child. Staff use their observations effectively to make accurate assessments and plan for children's next steps in learning. The manager monitors the effectiveness of the educational provision and quickly addresses any gaps in children's learning progress through individual planning. Regular meetings provide opportunities for staff to discuss ideas and share good practice. The manager establishes strong links with parents and local schools, providing consistent support for children and easing later transitions. Staff work extremely well with other professionals to support children's learning and meet any additional needs.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff gather detailed information from parents about children's interests and development at home. They use this well to help them build on children's learning experiences. Staff support children to learn and care about the world around them. For example, children excitedly call staff to look at the worm they find while bug hunting and remind their friends not to hurt it. Staff provide a range of resources that allow children to independently choose how they play and learn. For example, children work hard to plan and make a runway for their aeroplanes using cardboard and sticky tape.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff use an established system of signs and symbols to communicate with all children. This means that every child regardless of age or ability, including those who speak English as an additional language, is able to express their needs to staff and each other. This supports their continued sense of security and well-being. Children enjoy the chance to be physically active, for example, when riding bikes and scooters outdoors. They learn about handling tools and equipment safely, such as when they carefully use knives as they prepare their snack.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children learn a good range of skills that helps prepare them for their future learning, such as developing early mathematical skills. For example, they count each other and work together to agree the correct number to show the total. Children gain a good awareness of themselves, and the similarities and differences between themselves and others. For example, they see positive images of diversity and choose from a range of multicultural resources, such as dressing-up clothes and books. Children have good opportunities to practise skills that support their readiness for school. For example, they use chalk on the pavement to practise their mark-making and name writing skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127343 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1089342 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 - 4 Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person Little Stars Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 19 May 2015 Telephone number 01622 203 438

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reference number

Little Stars Preschool registered in 1997. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications to level 2 or level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday for 37 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8.55am until 11.55am each weekday, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays afternoon sessions are available from 12.10pm until 3.10pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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