Little Stars Preschool

Inspection of Little Stars Preschool Quadring Cowley & Browns School, Church End, Donington, SPALDING, Lincolnshire PE11 4SQ

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children confidently leave their parents when they arrive at the pre-school. They demonstrate that they are happy and quickly busy themselves at their chosen activities. Children confidently talk to staff about their needs and wishes. They show that they feel safe.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children and support them to develop their communication and language skills. For example, staff ask older children a good range of questions to encourage their thinking skills. They provide opportunities for younger children to sing nursery rhymes. This helps children to develop their speaking skills.

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The provision is good

Children have unique opportunities to learn about their own and other's traditions. For example, staff talk to children about poppies and the war. Children say 'it's because of the soldiers' and develop their understanding of Remembrance Day.

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The provision is good

Staff give children simple tasks to complete. Children enjoy being the 'leader' of the day. They ring a bell and tell other children when it is time for a snack. This contributes to children's sense of responsibility. Children pay attention and listen well. For example, when they play a game, staff give them instructions such as to throw or bounce a ball to their friends. Children enjoy this game and laugh with excitement.

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need to do better?

n Staff help children to develop their understanding of the world and other countries. For example, when children dress up in a Canadian firefighter outfit, staff talk to children about the flag that is displayed on the uniform. Children say, 'It is a leaf.' Staff extend children's knowledge and tell them it is a 'Canadian flag'. n Staff give children lots of praise and encouragement. This helps to raise children's self-esteem and confidence. Children behave well and know what is expected of them. n Staff are well qualified. They use the curriculum to plan and enhance experiences for children. Staff provide children with waterproof clothing when they play outdoors. This enables children to access messy play activities all year round. Children enjoy being outside in the rain and play with toy boats in water. n Staff encourage children to be creative and to explore musical instruments. Children bang, scrape and shake instruments and listen to how the sound can

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need to do better?

change. n Staff support children to learn about people who help them in the local community. For example, when children dress up as firefighters, staff explain to

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need to do better?

14 November 2019 children why they wear a helmet. Children learn that it is to protect their head. Staff set up a role-play area as a doctor's surgery. Children pretend to put bandages on staff. They put toy stethoscopes around their neck and demonstrate their understanding of how to use them appropriately. n Staff share information with parents about children's achievements. They give parents ideas about how they can continue to support their children's learning at home, such as with their literacy skills. For example, staff give parents books to read to their children at home. n Children make good progress in their development and learn skills in preparation for their move on to school. Staff encourage children to be independent. Children pour their own drinks and put on their coats and shoes. n The manager observes staff and gives them feedback on their performance. Staff extend their professional development. This helps them to develop their

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need to do better?

understanding of how to support children's literacy skills. For example, staff say the first sound of words and give children time to say the whole word. n Staff work well in partnership with the host school. They invite teachers into the pre-school to spend time with the children. Staff take children to attend special events at the school, such as harvest festivals and nativity plays. This helps to prepare children for their move on to school. n The manager reflects on practice and gathers the views of children to identify and make changes. For example, torches are added to a dark tent for children to explore light and shadows. However, the manager does not fully explore opportunities to gain parents' views, to focus on future improvements more sharply. n Staff provide opportunities for children to take and manage some risks in their play. For example, children use knives to spread butter on crackers. However,

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need to do better?

staff have not explored ways to help children to develop their knowledge of the potential risks when they use technical devices to access the internet.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff attend child protection training. They have a good knowledge of the signs of abuse and where to report any concerns regarding children's welfare. The manager understands her responsibility to work with other agencies to promote children's safety. She uses robust recruitment procedures to make sure that staff are suitable in their roles. The manager checks staff's ongoing suitability to work with children. Furthermore, staff gather information about who can collect children. They ask for passwords from people they do not know. This ensures that children do not leave their care with a person unknown to their parents. This contributes to children's safety.

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should:

14 November 2019 n strengthen the system for evaluating practice and gather suggestions and ideas from parents to focus future development more sharply n explore ways to help children to develop their understanding of the potential risks when they use technical devices to access the internet.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY546886 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10129897 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Gromett, Beverley

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reference number

Telephone number 07921470366 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stars Preschool registered in 2017 and is situated in Quadring Cowley & Browns School, Donington. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3, one at level 6 and the manager holds qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 2.45pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector had a tour of all areas of the pre-school. 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 carried out a joint observation with the pre-school manager. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the pre-school manager. The inspector reviewed a sample of documents. This included evidence about staff suitability and training. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

14 November 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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