Little Steppers Pre-School

Little Steppers Pre-School Smethwick Cape Hill Children's Centre, Corbett Street, SMETHWICK, West Midlands, B66 3PX

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 June 2017 Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

p.1

This provision is good

 The manager and her experienced team have a clear vision for high-quality provision for children. The manager involves parents, staff and other professionals in her evaluation of the setting to make improvements that benefit children.  Parents speak very highly about the pre-school staff. They are extremely pleased with the progress their children make, particularly in developing confidence, improved behaviour and communications skills.  Staff give children's emotional security high priority. They provide a comprehensive settling-in process in accordance with children's needs.  Partnerships with other professionals and schools are extremely good. Effective communication and cooperative working ensure that staff support children and their families exceptionally well.  The manager monitors children's progress effectively. She identifies any gaps in children's learning and staff plan support to help them catch up quickly.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Sometimes, children are distracted from listening and concentrating during adult-led activities. Staff do not consider the other activities taking place close by simultaneously.  The manager does not focus support precisely to enhance teaching practice. For example, at times teaching does not take account of the ages and abilities of the children to help extend their learning.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 encourage children to listen and concentrate without distraction during adult-led activities  enhance the support for staff to strengthen their teaching practice to take account of the ages and abilities of the children, to extend their learning further.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager and area manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff. She discussed the pre-school's self-evaluation and plans for improvement.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to during the inspection.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager ensures staff can identify the signs of possible abuse and know who they should contact if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff undertake regular checks of the environment to ensure it remains a safe place for children. The manager uses robust recruitment, vetting and induction procedures to ensure staff's suitability to work with children. Parents express their complete satisfaction with the pre-school and its dedicated and caring staff. They describe their children's enthusiasm to attend and excellent support they receive as a family unit. The manager reflects on practice effectively and works closely with other professionals to help children make good progress. She is currently working in conjunction with local schools to develop staff's understanding of preparing children for school.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff organise the vibrant learning environment well to capture children's interests and enable them to access toys and resources independently. They plan effectively for each child's individual learning. Staff take account of children's development and learning styles in their planning to support their progress effectively. During play, staff skilfully weave in questions that incorporate problem solving and numeracy. Staff promote children's language development well, including those who speak English as an additional language. For example, they provide opportunities for children to hear and use their home language in their play and give them good opportunities to speak English.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children play in a very welcoming, inclusive environment. They arrive eager and immediately join their friends in their play and behave exceptionally well. Children benefit from excellent opportunities to learn about their own and other people's backgrounds. They show a real sense of belonging and pride. They are encouraged to share cultural traditions during events organised by the staff. Staff teach children the importance of a healthy lifestyle effectively. Children have regular opportunities for exercise and they learn about the effects of different foods on their bodies. Extremely successful links with the local schools support children to make smooth transitions when the time comes.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points and are well prepared for their eventual move on to school. They present as capable and confident characters. They communicate their needs well and assert themselves during free-play activities. Children treat each other with politeness and respect, and display excellent cooperation and problem-solving skills when they work together to resolve issues for themselves. Children develop their literacy skills. They are beginning to link sounds to letters and some children can write their own name. Children learn to count and recognise numbers. Children demonstrate their good independence skills, such as putting on their coats.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY484763 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 1002386 Type of provision Out of school 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 20 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person West Smethwick Enterprise Committee

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 0121 555 6756

p.4

reference number

Little Steppers Pre-School registered in 2014. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3, one member of staff has a qualification at level 6 and one holds early years professional status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3pm. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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