Little Bears Pre-School

Little Bears Pre-School St Leonards Village Hall, Jenkins Lane, St Leonards, Buckinghamshire, HP23 6NW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 January 2018 16 October 2014

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The pre-school is a vital part of the local community. Parents show their high appreciation of the setting by working tirelessly as committee members. Staff maintain determination, loyalty and commitment through periods of uncertainty for the pre- school's future. The tenacity and sheer devotion of the manager and staff has raised the quality of provision for children to exceptional levels.  Staff combine children's love of science experiments with their emerging interest in mathematics. They put raisins in bottles of lemonade and children use their quick counting skills as they track the raisins shooting up and down inside the bottle.  Children make excellent in progress in their learning. High-quality, timely intervention by staff ensures that any gaps in children's achievements close swiftly. Many children exceed expectations for their age, particularly in their communication and language skills.

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This provision is outstanding

 Most-able children are given extensive opportunities to build on their skills in readiness for starting school. Staff include parents in children's learning. They share home challenges, songs and next steps on a weekly basis with parents.  Real-life experiences, such as visits from local people with hearing dogs, help children to learn about disabilities. This supports children's excellent awareness of the differences between themselves and others.

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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

 expand even further on the range of information available for children to use to extend on their fascinations and interests.

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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 completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.  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 outstanding

Staff have an exceptional understanding about child protection issues. Drawing on previous experience and recent training, staff demonstrate a wealth of knowledge. The committee members are equally confident in following Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager uses information from tracking cohorts of children with maximum effect. This directly feeds into plans for staff's professional development. Supervision for staff is highly beneficial and supportive. Committee and staff have a genuine shared vision for achieving and sustaining the excellent provision for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff plan highly engaging interactive activities for children. Together, staff and children make volcanoes in the garden. Children carefully measure out vinegar, baking soda and washing-up liquid. They use funnels to fill a plastic bottle with their mixture. Children run away with sheer exhilaration as the liquids mix together and cause an explosion of foam to burst into the air. Children jump and measure the distance they travel. Their interest expands when they see their name written on the floor and they start to copy the letters and practise their writing skills. Staff know how to extend on children's learning. They use their accurate observations and assessments to plan activities with precision. Staff are developing even further ways for children to use information to increase their knowledge about the natural world and things that intrigue them.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff take children on regular long walks in the surrounding countryside. They encourage children to be fit and physically active. Children share warm and close relationships with the staff. They share friendly conversation with staff as they eat their lunches. Staff know children and their families extensively. They communicate expectations clearly and children's behaviour is excellent. Children take responsibility, recognising and successfully managing strong feelings. They gain a real sense of belonging at the pre-school and play together well. Children are independent and aware of how to manage small risks for themselves, such as when they play on equipment outdoors.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are creative problem solvers. When faced with the dilemma of having toy animals stuck in blocks of ice, they use different methods to try to free them. For example, children use a food mixer from the role-play area to chip at the ice. Children demonstrate high levels of self-esteem. They are energetic, confident and eager to learn. Children are enthralled by the environment, and there is a tangible buzz of excitement as they embrace activities with a sense of purpose. They develop essential skills that will equip them exceptionally well for their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY234843 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 1070466 Type of provision Sessional 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 24 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Little Bears Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 16 October 2014 Telephone number 01494 758 081

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reference number

Little Bears Pre-School registered in 2005. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9.20am to 12.20pm with an optional lunch club from 12.20pm to 1.20pm. 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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