Skylarks Pre-School Ltd

Skylarks Pre-School Ltd Village Hall, Magdalen Road, Tilney St. Lawrence, KING'S LYNN, Norfolk, PE34 4RF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 May 2017 3 February 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

 Staff form successful partnerships with parents and carers. They work closely with families to support children to settle when they first start at the pre-school. Parents share information about their children and contribute well to their initial assessment. Staff keep parents regularly informed about their children's learning and progress.  Children quickly build secure relationships with their key person. Staff reassure children with positive interactions. Children enjoy their time at the pre-school.  Staff get to know the children well through regular observations and accurate assessment of what they can do. They effectively use this information to plan targeted next steps for children. This contributes to the good progress children make.  Children have daily opportunities for exercise and fresh air in the outdoor area. This helps to promote their good health and supports their physical well-being.

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This provision is good

 Staff give the safety and well-being of children high priority. They are vigilant and complete daily checks on the premises to ensure that all areas used by the children are safe and suitable. Staff carry out their responsibilities to safeguard children diligently.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 New systems for monitoring the progress of different groups of children are not yet fully embedded in order to target teaching and monitor the impact of this.  Staff do not always make the most of opportunities to extend children's mathematical awareness further.

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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

 embed monitoring practices to ensure that the learning and progress being made by different groups of children is clearly understood, so all staff can target the teaching more precisely  make better use of opportunities to reinforce children's mathematical awareness in meaningful and purposeful ways.

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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 held a meeting with 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 and completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke to 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 good

The provider and newly appointed manager demonstrate a strong commitment to continually improving the pre-school. For example, they are booked on safer recruitment training to extend their knowledge of procedures to help to ensure that they employ only the most suitable staff. Management monitors staff performance through regular supervision meetings. This helps staff to reflect on their practice. Staff are keen to improve and develop. They attend pertinent training courses to acquire new skills. This contributes towards good teaching practice and has a positive impact on children's learning and development. Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if they have concerns about children's welfare. Staff work in close partnership with other professionals to support all children in their care and learning needs. They use additional funding effectively to help all children make good progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of how children learn and develop. They carefully organise the indoor and outdoor area to provide a broad range of activities that build on children's interests. Children confidently explore the environment, choosing what they would like to do next. Staff interact purposefully. They get down to the children's level, join in with their play experiences and provide support when required. Children enjoy exploring how things feel. They eagerly investigate different textures, such as compost, water, sand and dough, with their hands. Staff encourage children's conversation as they play and ask effective questions to promote their thinking skills. Staff make suggestions and demonstrate ideas for children to try for themselves.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff manage children's behaviour effectively. They are calm and provide clear guidance for children about what is acceptable behaviour. Staff praise children as they recognise their efforts and achievements. This helps to raise children's confidence and self-esteem. Children readily go to staff for support when necessary. Children are familiar with the daily routines, which helps to support their emotional well-being. They follow good hygiene routines. Children experience sociable mealtimes and enjoy healthy snacks.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop many skills in readiness for the next stage in their learning, such as starting school. For example, they identify their name card on arrival and learn how to share and take turns. Children have many opportunities to develop their early writing skills. They enjoy looking at books with staff. Children develop their independence. For example, they pour their own drinks and cut fruit during snack, and collect their coats before going outside. Children attend to their own personal care needs, according to their age and ability.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY428394 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 1098534 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 26 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Sky Larks Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 3 February 2015 Telephone number 07920 054 320

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reference number

Skylarks Pre-School Ltd registered in 2011 and is located in King's Lynn, Norfolk . The pre- school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm Monday, Tuesday and Friday, and 9am to midday on Wednesday, and 9am to 1pm on Thursday. 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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