Ladybirds Pre-School

Ladybirds Pre-School Village Hall Playgroup, Salmons Lane, Thorrington, Colchester, CO7 8HQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 May 2018 30 September 2013

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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

 Staff work very hard each day to set up an exceptionally rich and varied environment, indoors and outdoors which enables children to explore freely and make discoveries about the world around them. Children show a very positive attitude to learning, are inquisitive, eager to join in activities, concentrate and engage well.  The provider offers very strong leadership. She is highly committed to the development of the pre-school, constantly reviewing and evaluating the provision and considering the impact developments are having on the outcomes for children.  Teaching is good and some aspects are outstanding. The staff team is passionate about the support they give to all children and ensure they are well prepared for their next stage in learning. Partnership working with external agencies is a key strength and highly effective in ensuring that all children receive the support they need.  Parents are fully involved in the life of the pre-school. They speak extremely highly of

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This provision is good

the care their children receive and how well pre-school staff support families. Staff are very successful in engaging parents in their children's ongoing learning and guiding parents so they can effectively support their children's learning at home.  The very successful key-person system helps to ensure that all children are emotionally well prepared to learn, particularly those who are new and settling into the pre-school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently encourage children to develop their thinking skills and express their own thoughts and ideas.

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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

 enhance staff's understanding of effective questioning techniques to help children develop their thinking skills and express their thoughts and opinions.

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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 provider.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and read written testimonials parents provided, taking into account parents' views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff know how to identify signs that children might be at risk of harm. They know what they must do to report their concerns and keep children safe. The provider has effective procedures in place to ensure she deals with all concerns quickly and effectively. Recruitment procedures are robust to ensure only those suitable to work with children do so. The provider also checks on staff's continued suitability to work with children. Staff are valued at the pre-school and work closely together. They are well qualified and the provider supports them to access further training to develop their knowledge and skills. Staff are encouraged to bring new ideas into the pre-school to promote its continued development. Staff seek children's views. They ask children what resources they would like to play and whether they enjoyed planned activities. This ensures that staff tailor opportunities so these are interesting and engaging for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children well and make ongoing assessments of their abilities. They skilfully plan for children's continued learning, using their good knowledge of how children learn and develop. Older children show good levels of concentration and determination to achieve their goals. For example, they construct competently following pictorial diagrams and proudly show off their achievements. Staff join in children's activities enthusiastically, model language well and initiate conversations to encourage children to talk. Children enjoy many opportunities to be imaginative and creative. Older children are keen to show their emerging writing skills. They pretend to write shopping lists during role play and some children are confident enough to write their name on their artwork. Staff weave mathematics into activities. For example, they encourage children to count, compare size and amount as children help to make dough.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children bond well with the friendly, caring staff. They are happy, confident and thrive in the pre-school environment. Staff enthusiastically praise children's efforts and achievements to promote their self-esteem. They encourage children of all ages to be independent in their self-care. For example, children dress themselves, wipe their own noses, serve themselves snack and clear away after. Children thoroughly enjoy playing and learning outdoors. They learn good practices that help to keep themselves and others safe. For example, they know to use walking feet indoors and help staff to check that safety measures are in place before they go outdoors.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make consistently good levels of progress from their starting points. Those children who speak English as an additional language develop effective social and communication skills to help them be ready for school. Children develop secure friendships. They manage their behaviour well, share resources and are considerate of the needs of others. They develop good early literacy and mathematical skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY436427 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1065769 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person Ladybirds Pre-School Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 30 September 2013 Telephone number 07592-344367

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reference number

Ladybirds Pre-School registered in 2011 and is privately run. The pre-school is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 3.30pm, during term time only. The pre-school employs six members of staff. All staff hold an appropriate qualification to level 3 or above. 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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