Little Learners Pre-School

Little Learners Pre-School Deering Centre, Longlands Close, Crossbrook Street, Waltham Cross, EN8 8LU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 July 2017 23 June 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 outdoor area of the pre-school is extremely well planned and resourced to help staff effectively build on children's interests and sustain their engagement in learning.  Children have formed strong bonds with their key person and other staff and children. They confidently look to staff for comfort and help when this is needed. Children also relish the positive attention they receive in recognition of their good manners and achievements.  Partnerships with other agencies are effective. Staff work well with other professionals to help ensure that they effectively support children and their families.  Children's communication and language skills are supported very well. Children enjoy taking part in a wide range of lively discussions with staff. For example, they excitedly talk about a spider found on a tissue box.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always make the most effective use of assessments to focus more precisely on what children need learn next in order to help them to make better than good progress.  More-able children do not always have as many opportunities to explore sounds and letters as part of their play, to further encourage their early literacy skills.

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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

 refine the arrangements for tracking to ensure that children's ongoing progress is more precisely monitored to enable them to achieve the best possible progress  extend opportunities for more-able children to explore sounds and letters in their play.

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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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views through the feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and her staff team are aware of their responsibilities to protect children's welfare. They regularly maintain their good understanding through appropriate training. The pre-school's recruitment procedures are robust. The manager completes relevant checks to be certain that staff are, and continue to be, suitable. She regularly monitors staff practice as she works alongside them. This helps her to effectively recognise underperformance and put in place measures to support staff development and improve their skills. The environments are checked before children arrive each day. Staff ensure that any potential risks are quickly identified and either minimised or removed. Parents and staff talk about how they share their views with the manager, who uses their input to help identify areas for future improvement.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff help children to learn about mathematics and how to make comparisons. For example, at lunchtime they place their apples side by side to see if they are the same or different. As children compare colours and sizes, staff introduce simple mathematical language, such as 'bigger' and 'smaller'. Children have lots of fun using their imaginations to recreate real and imagined experiences. They spend time thinking through storylines and using props to enhance their play. Children can independently put on dressing-up clothes. They pick up a bag and tell their friends that they are going on holiday to the caravan. Staff provide parents with information about how to support their children's learning at home, which helps to offer children consistency in their learning. Children show good skills as they peddle and manoeuvre bikes around others and obstacles in their path. They practise hand-to-eye coordination as they use paint brushes and water to make

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Parents report that the friendly staff team are very helpful and kind to them and their children. Staff provide guidance to help children learn about acceptable behaviour. They provide gentle reminders and support older children to understand the consequences of their actions on others. Good hygiene routines help to promote children's well-being. Children understand that washing their hands helps to prevent them from getting germs in their tummies. Children learn about caring for living things. They are aware that the tomato plants they are growing in the garden need water and sun to grow. Children are encouraged to take measured risks. For example, they have lots of fun learning how to use a wide range of large play equipment.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points. Children show that they are able to concentrate as they work on creations using small construction bricks. These experiences also help them to develop the small muscles in their hands required for writing. Children are developing the essential skills needed for their next stages of learning and eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY405269 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1094182 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 28 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Little Learners Pre School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 23 June 2015 Telephone number 07563 793 250

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reference number

Little Learners Pre-School registered in 2010. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including the manager who has a level 6 qualification. Sessions are from 9am to midday and 12.30pm to 3.30pm during term time only. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to 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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