Little Stars Pre-School

Little Stars Pre-School Village Hall, Crowberry Lane, Barton under Needwood, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 8AF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 May 2017 13 January 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 managers and staff are passionate about providing a high quality early years provision for children. They work together to ensure activities are tailored to meet the needs of all the children attending.  Staff are friendly, welcoming and supportive. They create a calm and caring atmosphere where children are happy and relaxed. Strong relationships between staff and children help to build children's confidence and self-esteem.  Managers and staff regularly monitor children's progress to identify where extra support may be required. They provide additional, targeted support to help close any gaps in learning and further challenge the most able children.  Strong links between other local providers enable key information to be shared. This helps to support continuity in care and learning. Transition arrangements for children starting school are seamless.  Children's communication and language skills are promoted well. For example, staff

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This provision is good

engage children in conversations and provide opportunities throughout the session to encourage them to talk in a group.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Information gathered from parents when their children first start does not focus sufficiently on children's prior skills and knowledge to support initial assessments.  Self-evaluation does not yet assess the impact of practice on outcomes for children.

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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

 gather more information from parents about their children's learning and development to help support initial assessments and identify children's next steps in learning  develop and strengthen self-evaluation systems to focus more closely on assessing the impact of practice on outcomes for children.

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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 one of the pre-school managers.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school managers and the provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  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

All staff are experienced and supported by regular supervision and training to improve their skills, knowledge and qualifications. For example, the local school has supported staff with training in the delivery of letters and sounds. As a result, staff demonstrate a good understanding of how children learn. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff recognise the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and neglect. They know what to do if they have concerns about a child's welfare. There are comprehensive policies and procedures in place to promote children's safety. Recruitment, vetting and induction procedures are robust and help to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Parents' comments are positive and they feel they are well informed about their children's progress. Their views are regularly gathered through questionnaires.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff regularly observe children and identify their next steps in learning, which are then incorporated into the planning. Good teaching skills are demonstrated as staff play alongside children. For example, they show children how to use scissors and support them as they cut out pictures. Children enjoy playing and using their imaginations in the role play post office. Staff encourage children to develop their writing skills and number recognition by writing an address on an envelope. Opportunities are provided for children to solve problems and think of solutions. For example, children explore which vehicles are faster at going down the sloped guttering.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff support children in leading healthy lifestyles. Children have access to the outdoor area throughout the session. There are a good range of resources for children to choose from. For example, children enjoy playing in the sand and making sandcastles or scoring goals as they kick a ball with skill and accuracy. Staff talk to children about the benefits of exercise. They teach children to manage their own care routines, such as toileting and handwashing. As a result, children's physical development is promoted well.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. They are well behaved, share resources and willingly take turns. Children follow instructions and enjoy the responsibility of carrying out small tasks, for example, handing out plates and cups to other children at snack time. Children demonstrate good listening and attention skills as they sing action songs and listen to stories. Older children are successfully acquiring the key skills they need for their move to school, such as recognising and writing their own name.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY315147 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 1092484 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 24 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Little Stars Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 13 January 2015 Telephone number 07875948503

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reference number

Little Stars Pre-School registered in 2005. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens on Monday and Wednesday with sessions from 9.15am until 3pm and on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday sessions are from 9.15am until 1pm. The pre-school operates term time only. The pre-school provides funded early education for 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

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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