Little Sparks Preschool

Little Sparks Preschool The Annexe At Valley Primary School, Knowland Grove, NORWICH, NR5 8YB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 July 2017 Not applicable

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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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 The pre-school offers an exceptionally rich and varied environment, both indoors and outside, which enables children to explore freely and make discoveries about the world around them. The pre-school works within the local community and offers a fully inclusive environment where all children are highly valued for their unique individuality.  Staff know the children very well and make ongoing assessments of their capabilities. They plan and organise rewarding activities which reflect children's differing needs, abilities and interests. Children eagerly join in and enjoy learning.  Parents are fully involved in the life of the pre-school. They speak extremely highly of the care that their children receive and how well the pre-school staff support families. Staff are very successful in engaging parents in their children's ongoing learning and guiding parents so they can support children's learning at home.

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This provision is good

 Staff are highly successful in promoting children's social skills. Their sensitive interaction supports children in understanding and appreciating one another and learning to work together. Children show that they are very confident and happy.  Children develop well in the pre-school. Additional funding is used effectively to target areas where children need the most support, such as building their confidence in social situations. This helps to prepare children well for the challenges of their future learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 New systems for monitoring staff's performance do not focus sharply enough on raising the quality of teaching throughout the team to the very highest level.

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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

 sharpen the focus on performance management so that all staff have more opportunities to build on their practice, in order to raise the quality of teaching to outstanding levels.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outside and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. She observed a focused activity and evaluated the quality of teaching with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager. She looked at relevant documentation including children's records, a selection of policies and procedures and risk assessments.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff.  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 manager is passionately committed to providing high-quality childcare and education for children. She regularly reflects on what is offered for the children and continually targets areas for improvement to enhance their experiences. Staff talk confidently about the positive impact that training has had on their attitude, knowledge and practice. For example, after completing a 'Making Maths Count' course, staff have reviewed and enhanced their resources and implemented many practical ideas to support the teaching of early mathematics. Strong relationships exist between the pre-school and other professionals, ensuring that all children are prepared well for transferring to school. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Robust policies are in place and followed by staff. All staff receive training updates and are confident and knowledgeable about their individual responsibilities to keep children safe and protected from harm.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have high expectations for children to reach their full potential. They work closely with parents and other professionals to identify where interventions are appropriate. They quickly implement strategies to promote children's ongoing development to ensure that all children make good progress in their learning. Staff are enthusiastic and encouraging, ensuring that learning is fun. They demonstrate skilful use of vocabulary and use questions to develop and extend children's understanding, listening and speaking skills. They model language well so that all children become confident communicators. Children learn about the natural world. For example, they grow sunflowers, herbs and vegetables and talk knowledgably about the insects and toads that live in the nature area. Staff introduce books as a way to learn more about the creatures they see. Children enjoy the many opportunities to be imaginative and creative.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children's well-being is always at the centre of staff's practice. They create an extremely positive and welcoming atmosphere in the preschool. There is a very strong focus on teaching children how to keep themselves safe and healthy, as well as looking after those around them. Staff are excellent role models and there is a strong culture of mutual respect and positive behaviour. They excellently support the diversity of children's lives. High-quality resources are freely available to support children who speak English as an additional language to develop their skills in English and to promote their home language. Children learn to respect people's differences as they explore and meaningfully celebrate their own cultures and beliefs, and those of others.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who receive funded early education, make good progress from their starting points. They develop key skills and positive attitudes to learning, in readiness for school. Children have many opportunities to develop their early writing skills and learn that print carries meaning. They enjoy routine group activities and develop their concentration as they learn to listen to adults and each other.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY487785 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 1082949 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Little Sparks Preschool Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07592525542 / 01603 740677

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reference number

Little Sparks Preschool registered in 2015 and is run by a committee. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday from 8.50am to 3.10pm. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It opens all year round for two-year-old children and term-time only for three- and four-year-old children. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff, five of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3.

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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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