Little Pips

Inspection of Little Pips William Sutton Trust Rotherhithe Estate Office, 30 Plough Way, London SE16 2LJ

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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 arrive enthusiastically and greet staff warmly. They explore the wide variety of activities and quickly become engrossed, demonstrating increasingly high levels of concentration. They form strong relationships with staff. Children who are new to the setting are closely supported and encouraged by caring staff. Children show that they feel safe at the pre-school. They know where to hang their coat, and find their name as they arrive to self-register. Children get the encouragement they need to build on their individual interests and make strong progress, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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The provision is good

Staff are excellent role models. They are gentle, kind and respectful in their interactions. However, not all staff use these opportunities routinely to extend children's learning. Staff encourage mathematical learning, for example by introducing exciting games for children to find objects with corresponding numbers and shapes. Children develop curiosity as they explore different textures during messy activities, such as what happens when coloured rice is added to shaving foam. Staff are beginning to encourage children's independence, although this could be extended to encourage children to carry out small tasks, such as tidying up with staff.

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The provision is good

Children behave well, supporting each other in the outdoor area, sharing and taking turns using the ride-on vehicles.

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need to do better?

n The manager has high expectations for all children. Comprehensive self- evaluation, informed by the staff and parents' views and children's progress, helps to identify areas for development. This leads to continuous improvement. Arrangements to support and mentor new staff are effective. Staff benefit from a well-established programme of training and development. n Staff plan a challenging curriculum. They have detailed knowledge of all children in their care, built up through effective observations. Staff use this information effectively to benefit children. They link activities to children's emerging developmental needs to support their learning, as well as their interests. n The manager helps staff to manage their workload effectively, such as by organising and managing their time, and supports them to gain their childcare qualifications. n Children behave well, in part, because staff are attentive to their needs and join

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need to do better?

in with their play. Children are encouraged to develop sociable and acceptable behaviour. n The quality of teaching is strong. The manager and staff identified improvements that could be made to the teaching of mathematics, and have

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need to do better?

19 November 2019 worked hard to implement them. Children demonstrate their skills during a game to find the numbered or shaped objects. n Staff support children's developing communication and language skills. For example, they enthusiastically involve children in an experiment about clouds and rain. Children eagerly look at and talk about what happens when they add coloured water, using pipettes, to a 'cloud' mixture. However, staff do not always use these opportunities to ask questions to extend children's learning and communication skills even further. n Staff encourage children to become independent learners. Children eagerly find their own coats on their coat hook as they prepare themselves for outdoor play. However, staff miss opportunities for children to carry out small tasks which would support them to settle more quickly into different routines throughout the day. n Staff are committed and enthusiastic. They engage well with children, using

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need to do better?

their interests to plan and adapt activities to suit their individual abilities. Children enjoy a broad range of activities that help them to make good progress and take the next steps in their learning. For example, they enjoy developing their imaginative skills in the camping role-play area. n Partnerships with parents are a strong aspect of the setting. Staff work very well with parents to ensure they know and understand how their children are developing, and provide opportunities for learning to continue at home. The staff team builds good relationships with other agencies involved in the children's lives. This supports children's continuity of care and learning, therefore enhancing their progress further, including those with SEND.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager ensures that staff keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date, including the 'Prevent' duty. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They understand the reporting procedures if they have any concerns, including to outside agencies. This helps to promote children's safety and well-being. Staff follow the nursery's robust safeguarding policies. The manager implements effective recruitment procedures to help check on staff suitability to work with children. Staff receive a comprehensive induction to support them to understand their responsibilities to safeguard children.

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should:

n strengthen the use of questioning to encourage children to think and communicate their responses n extend opportunities for children to develop their independence skills,

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should:

19 November 2019 particularly by encouraging them to carry out manageable tasks to prepare them better for what is happening next and in their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY546864 Local authority Southwark Inspection number 10130016 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 17

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Name of registered person

St Marys Playgroup (Southwark and Lewisham) Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 02034174330 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Pips pre-school is located in the London Borough of Southwark. The setting operates Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 3.15pm, during term time only. The pre-school offers sessional care and funding for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector conducted a learning walk with the manager to discuss how the curriculum is planned and what opportunities are available for children. n A joint observation of an activity was carried out with the manager, and the impact this had on children's learning and development was evaluated. n The children, staff and some parents spoke with the inspector. n The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including staff first-aid certificates and evidence of staff suitability.

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Inspection activities

19 November 2019 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

19 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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