Little Pillars

Little Pillars 81 Evelina Road, London, SE15 3HL

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 January 2018 8 November 2016

p.1

3

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

p.1

3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

p.1

This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 Arrangements to monitor staff practice are not fully effective, to identify the inconsistencies in the quality of teaching. Some staff do not interact well with children or ensure they receive sufficient challenge in their learning.  Some staff are unware of the need to complete the progress check for children at age two years as required, and therefore have not done so.  The manager does not take all opportunities available to help children who need extra help to catch up with their peers.  Self-evaluation does not precisely identify areas to improve, to raise outcomes for children.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 Overall, children feel happy attending the nursery and have formed secure bonds with staff. They make steady progress from their starting point of learning.  The manager deploys staff well to supervise children's play and keep them safe. Staff follow effective safety procedures and carry out regular checks to make sure children play safely in the learning environment.  Staff work closely with parents to help provide a consistent approach to meeting children's care needs.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

p.2

Due Date

 improve the arrangements for the supervision and training of all staff, to identify and address areas of practice that need improvement and help raise the quality of teaching to consistently good levels 03/02/2018

p.2

Due Date

 ensure all staff complete the required progress check for children between the ages of two and three years, to help identify and close any gaps in children's learning and development. 03/02/2018

p.2

Due Date

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

p.2

Due Date

 take all opportunities to support children who need extra help to catch up with their peers  make effective use of self-evaluation to identify and address breaches of requirements and precisely target areas for improvement.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff interactions with children and the impact these have on their learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager and held discussions about children's learning.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of staff suitability and qualifications.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector spoke to members of staff at appropriate times throughout the day and held meetings with the manager.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Although the provider has addressed the action and recommendations raised at the last inspection, this has not helped to raise standards in the nursery and the quality of teaching has declined. The provider monitors staff performance and sends them on regular training. However, she does not identify inconsistencies in their teaching or practice to help them improve. In addition, she has not taken all opportunities available to help children who need additional help with their learning to catch up with their peers. Safeguarding is effective. The provider and staff have a sound understanding of child protection requirements and know what action to take if they have any welfare concerns about a child. Staff are aware of their duty to prevent children from exposure to situations which may put them at significant risk of harm. The provider now ensures that staff working directly with children go through appropriate vetting processes to determine their

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Some staff do not complete the required progress check at age two years to help identify gaps in children's learning. In addition, they do not always encourage and motivate all children to learn. For example, they allow children to stand idle without engaging in any meaningful play. At times, staff do not differentiate activities well enough to meet children's individual learning needs. For example, during a planned group activity, staff did not ensure that the younger children were given activities suitable for their age. As a result, some children became bored and disruptive, which had a negative impact on the whole activity. Despite some areas of weaknesses in teaching, children take part in a varied range of activities. For example, they enjoy making marks in shaving foam and sand. Staff organise the daily routines well and encourage children who learn best outside to spend time in the garden, to extend and build on their interest.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Some children find it difficult to share resources and take turns in activities and this brings disruption to their play. However, staff are quick to respond to negative behaviours and provide clear explanation to help children learn what is expected of them. Staff support children's independence. For example, they encourage older children to put their coats on independently and serve their meals. Children eat fresh and healthy foods and staff use discussions at mealtimes to reinforce the importance of healthy lifestyles.

p.3

Outcomes for children require improvement

Most children develop basic skills needed for future learning. However, some groups of children, particularly those who need additional support with their learning, are not making sufficient progress to help prepare them for future learning, including school. Overall, children settle and develop good physical skills. For example, they enjoy riding cars and bicycles and learn to coordinate and balance their bodies in different ways.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY487100 Local authority Southwark Inspection number 1078275 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 1 - 5 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Little Pillars Montessori Ltd

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 November 2016 Telephone number 07886983752

p.4

reference number

Little Pillars registered in 2015. It operates from a church hall in Nunhead, Southwark. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.30pm for 48 weeks of the year. The nursery employs seven staff members including the manager, who is also the provider. Four members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 1, 3 or 6. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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