Little Hands Pre-School Nursery

Little Hands Pre-School Nursery Dengie Community Hall, Dengie Close, Witham, Essex CM8 1DJ

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Inspection date 30 October 2018 Previous inspection date 5 November 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The managers take a proactive and enthusiastic approach to improvement. As a result, they have raised the standards at the pre-school. Staff know children's interests and current skills and abilities. They regularly observe and assess children's development and provide activities and experiences to engage and inspire them. n Since the last inspection, the managers have introduced a robust and supportive programme of supervision for staff. All staff benefit from the good guidance and coaching they receive and say how happy they feel in their work. This has a positive effect on children's care and learning. n The friendly staff are sensitive to children's emotional needs and well-being. They display a warm, caring attitude and provide a stimulating environment where children are happy. n Staff support children's health well. For example, children spend time outdoors, enjoy being physically active and enjoy tending to and eating the nutritious fruit and

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Systems for monitoring information about the progress of different groups of children are being developed. n Staff do not use all opportunities to share information with parents and provide ideas for activities to promote learning at home.

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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

n strengthen the current arrangements for comparing information about the progress made by different groups of children and checking that all groups receive the support they need to increase the potential for them to achieve at the highest possible levels n enhance the strategies in place to promote partnership working with parents and provide ideas for activities to continue children's learning at home.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre- school. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The managers and staff know how to implement safeguarding policies and procedures effectively to ensure children's health, safety and security. Staff understand their role in protecting children from harm. They are aware of what to do should they have any concerns about children's welfare. Staff are vigilant, well deployed and adult-to-child ratios are maintained well. Policies and procedures, including those for administering medication and dealing with accidents, are in place, understood and effectively implemented. Recruitment and vetting procedures are robust. Self-evaluation is used as an ongoing tool to help staff reflect upon areas that can be improved. The views of parents, children and early years professionals are used to inform targeted plans for improvement.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children show high levels of engagement during their play and benefit from the effective balance of adult-led and child-initiated play. Children choose where they would like to play and enjoy a wide range of resources that supports their learning across all areas of development. There is a strong focus on promoting children's speaking and listening skills. Staff use every opportunity to reinforce children's vocabulary and conversation skills throughout their time at the setting. They are skilled at asking effective questions to challenge and develop children's thinking. Staff take every opportunity to reinforce basic mathematical skills as children count and match colours as they play a fun game of skittles and join in number songs. Children enjoy creative play and use different tools effectively to investigate and this helps to encourage their fine-motor skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and settled in this welcoming pre-school. They develop secure emotional attachments to their key person and other staff, readily going to them for support with activities. They key-person system is implemented well. Key persons build friendly and trusting relationships with parents and children. They make sure that children's care and learning needs are met. Parents report that they find staff friendly and approachable. Children respond well to the high expectations of staff. They understand the consistent rules and play well together. Children have regard to each other's needs and feelings. They are familiar with the regular routines, supporting their sense of belonging.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop key skills in readiness for when they start school. They have ample opportunities to develop their early writing skills and learn to listen and respond to instructions. Children enjoy group story sessions and looking at books independently. Children with additional needs are very well supported. Staff draw on the expertise of a wide range of other professionals to ensure that children's care and learning needs are fully met.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 203764 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10079457 Type of provision Full day care Registers Early Years Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Little Hands Pre-School Nursery Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 November 2014 Telephone number 01376 511194

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reference number

Little Hands Pre-School Nursery registered in 1994. It employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold an appropriate childcare qualification at level 2 or above and one who holds a foundation degree. The pre-school nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 9am until 2.55pm, term time only. The pre-school nursery 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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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