Little Buddies Pre-School

Little Buddies Pre-School Church Hall, Homefield Avenue, LOWESTOFT, Suffolk, NR33 9BU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 May 2018 30 November 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

 Children and their families are warmly greeted by staff on arrival and welcomed into the pre-school. Children arrive happy and eager to play. They quickly settle at their chosen activity.  Staff are kind and responsive to children. They provide good support to children as they play and plan well for their individual needs.  Children who require additional support in their learning are quickly identified. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals involved in the children’s care to provide a targeted approach.  Play spaces are organised and arranged effectively so that children are interested and motivated to learn. They move independently to access the activities of their choice.  The manager demonstrates a positive approach to continually providing children with good quality childcare and learning experiences. Staff are fully involved in evaluating the pre-school and have recently identified further resources that will help to enhance

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, staff overlook opportunities to challenge and extend the learning of the eldest children in activities.  The programme for performance management is not yet sharply focused on enhancing the quality of teaching to the 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

 strengthen the evaluation of staff's teaching and their ongoing performance management so that they are fully supported to enhance their teaching skills to the highest level  strengthen the good teaching skills of staff to further challenge and extend children's learning during activities.

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

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are clear about their responsibilities to report any signs that may suggest a child is at risk of harm. They attend safeguarding training to ensure their knowledge is kept refreshed. Robust recruitment procedures help to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff undertake thorough and regular checks on outings, the premises and equipment to keep children safe and secure. Supervision meetings happen regularly. Staff are provided with consistent opportunities to attend training that interests them and benefits the children in the setting. Children’s individual progress is checked. Systems are beginning to be implemented to check the progress that all children make and allow staff to plan swiftly for any gaps in learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff observe children and assess their development to accurately identify what they need to learn next. They share this information with parents and consider children’s interests at home when planning activities. Children enjoy spending time outdoors and exploring their environment. They make a mixture from grass, mud, glitter and water and pretend to bake cakes in the mud kitchen. Children have a thoroughly lovely time washing a real car with sponges and soapy water. Staff consistently talk to children during activities to support their communication. Children are encouraged to use their thinking skills. For example, children think about why an adult must put the biscuits in the hot oven.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are knowledgeable regarding children’s family backgrounds and individual needs. They work closely with parents at the beginning to gather essential information about children to help them settle. Staff are good role models and support children to successfully form positive relationships with others. Behaviour is generally good. Children are beginning to understand the consequences of their actions and manage their own minor conflicts. They respond well to praise and encouragement from staff. Children have daily opportunities to be active. For example, in the garden children chase and try to catch rolling hoops. Young children persevere to try and balance on rocking soft play equipment.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those for whom the pre-school receives additional funding, are making good progress from their starting points. Children are motivated in their play and show good levels of concentration. For example, they listen intently to stories and take turns to play a game. They confidently explain the rules of the game to their friends. Children develop a range of key skills needed for their move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY350350 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 1135188 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 30 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person Katherine Frances Wright

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 30 November 2015 Telephone number 07906409418

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reference number

Little Buddies Pre-school registered in 2007. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to 6, including the manager with early year’s professional status. The pre-school opens on a Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 8am until 3.30pm and on a Thursday from 8am until 1pm term time only. 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

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