Little Learners Preschool

Little Learners Playgroup Brandram Road Community Centre, Brandram Road, London SE13 5RT

p.1

Inspection date 3 June 2019 Previous inspection date Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Previous inspection: Not applicable Effectiveness of leadership and management Inadequate 4

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

p.1

This provision is inadequate

n Some staff, including the manager, do not understand the playgroup's safeguarding policy and procedures. They are unaware of the correct agency to report any concerns to in the first instance in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. This compromises children's safety. n The manager does not ensure that the named deputy who is left to take charge in her absence has the appropriate qualifications and skills for her role. n Some staff do not have a comprehensive induction and regular opportunities for ongoing professional development to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. n The manager has failed to keep a written record of all accidents and injuries, which is a breach of requirements. n Staff do not consistently assess children's starting points and precisely plan to support their progress across all areas of learning. They also do not complete the statutory two-year-old progress check. This means that some children do not make the best

p.1

It has the following strengths

n Children are happy and enjoy participating in a range of interesting and stimulating activities and experiences, with good quality resources both indoors and outside. n Staff are kind, caring and attentive towards children. They frequently offer praise and encouragement during activities. n Parents express extremely high levels of satisfaction with the provision.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date ensure all staff have secure safeguarding knowledge and understand how to report any concerns about children's welfare to the correct agency in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board 01/07/2019

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

ensure the named deputy is appropriately qualified to take charge in the manager's absence 01/07/2019

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

ensure all staff receive effective induction and ongoing training to help them to understand their roles and responsibilities 01/07/2019

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

ensure all accidents and incidents are recorded 01/07/2019

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

improve how staff monitor children's ongoing progress across all areas of learning and ensure all children have a two-year written progress check. 01/07/2019

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

n develop the self-evaluation process to identify and address the key areas for improvement effectively.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector observed a range of activities and looked at the quality of the learning experiences for children. n The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into account. n The inspector looked at essential documentation, such as staff suitability checks and qualification certificates. n The inspector discussed how the manager evaluates the quality of the provision. n The inspection was a priority inspection due to some concerns about how some children's learning is being supported and the effectiveness of working closely with parents.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management is inadequate

Some staff do not have secure safeguarding knowledge. This is evident when they are unsure of how to escalate safeguarding concerns to the correct agency. In addition, some staff are not aware of their role in protecting and preventing children and families that may be at risk of extreme views and behaviour and what action to take in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. Furthermore, although there are appropriate recruitment procedures in place and staff's suitability is checked, the manager does not ensure that the named deputy is appropriately qualified and trained to manage the playgroup in her absence. Staff have an induction when they start their role. However, it is ineffective for some staff as they do not understand the policies and procedures in place to help to keep children safe. Additionally, not all accidents and injuries are recorded, which is a statutory requirement. Safeguarding is ineffective. The

p.3

Effectiveness of leadership and management is inadequate

manager carries out regular supervision meetings with staff. However, these are not fully successful as staff are not supported well enough to understand their responsibility to complete two-year progress checks and to improve their planning and assessment skills. Currently, staff do not consistently assess children's learning and progress across all areas. The manager has started to reflect on the quality of the provision and has identified that this area requires further improvement. She displays a commitment to making other ongoing improvements. For instance, she has recently invested in some new artificial grass and resources for the garden, which is a real strength. Children have frequent opportunities to play outdoors and explore a range of enjoyable and imaginative activities.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Weaknesses in planning and assessment mean that some children do not make the full progress they have the potential to across all areas of learning. Nevertheless, the manager and staff are proactive in seeking additional help and working closely with other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, the manager does not promptly review the effectiveness of different strategies to help to close gaps in learning more rapidly. Despite this, children generally enjoy the learning experiences available and show appropriate engagement. This is illustrated when children enjoy exploring shells and play dough, and staff support them to learn new descriptive language such as 'soft', 'smooth' and 'spiky'. Children also have opportunities to explore different mathematical concepts, for instance, when counting during stories and when drawing pictures of different sea creatures.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Due to a number of breaches in the safeguarding and welfare requirements, children's safety cannot be assured. Despite this, children enjoy their time at the playgroup and have strong attachments to staff and each other. Children enjoy making independent choices about their learning. Staff teach children about expected behaviour effectively and sensitively, and children are polite and behave extremely well. Children learn how to adopt healthy lifestyles. This is evident when they are encouraged to eat healthy snacks and lunches.

p.3

Outcomes for children require improvement

Most children make sufficient progress from their starting points and develop some key skills they need in readiness for their next stage of learning. However, children's learning is not fully challenged to extend their capabilities. Older children play collaboratively together and confidently discuss their ideas and intentions. They also learn to link letters with the sounds they represent. Younger children enjoy developing appropriate sharing and turn-taking skills and fostering their imagination and counting skills.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY548559 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10107872 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Little Learners Playgroup Limited

p.5

reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07595120744

p.5

reference number

Little Learners Playgroup registered in 2017. It is located in the London Borough of Lewisham. The playgroup is open Monday to Friday, from 9.30am until 2.30pm, term time only. The setting is in receipt of funding to provide early years education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. There are five members of staff, including the manager. Two members of staff have qualified teacher status and the others have childcare qualifications at levels 2 and 3.

p.5

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.5

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.

p.5

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 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

reference number

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.6

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: www.ofsted.gov.uk/user .

p.6

reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6