Litcham Childcare

Inspection of Litcham Childcare Litcham Children's Centre, Weasenham Road, Litcham, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE32 2QT

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children's positive behaviour shows that they feel safe and secure. They play together calmly and get along well as they explore the various activities on offer. Children's imagination develops well as they create and enact stories in a well- resourced role-play area. Children explore their own ideas and problem-solve. For example, they work out how to use water to float a toy duck along a channel.

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The provision is good

Children form strong bonds with the caring and well-established staff team. Staff visit children at their homes before they begin at the setting. This helps children to get to know their key person and paves the way for them to settle in well.

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The provision is good

The setting works in close partnership with the on-site school. For example, teachers from the Reception class regularly visit the setting, and children share some activities with children from the Reception class. This helps to prepare children for their move on to school. During a shared activity, older children practise their manipulation skills as part of a 'dough disco'. They keenly listen to and follow instructions from adults, including a visiting teacher. Children develop their fine movements as they poke, pinch and pull the dough into various shapes. This helps to prepare them for learning to write.

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need to do better?

n Children develop a strong sense of belonging at the setting and as part of a wider community. For example, senior members of the local community visit the setting. They share activities, such as modelling dough and singing with the children. Staff take children on visits and they participate in activities at the school and chapel. Children's parents attend the setting to share termly themed sessions with their children, such as crafts at Easter. n Children make good progress from their individual starting points in all areas of their learning. There are strong opportunities within the setting for children to develop a love of books, stories, rhymes and reading. This supports the development of their language skills. n Parents report that their children are happy and look forward to their time at the setting. Staff know the children very well. They identify what next steps children can work on and deliver good opportunities for children to gain new knowledge

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need to do better?

and skills. Staff share their regular assessments of children's progress with parents by using verbal and electronic communication. However, some strategies that the setting uses to involve parents in their children's learning are less effective. Leaders and managers do not use highly engaging strategies to involve parents more, for example helping parents to support children's love of reading. n A cohesive team of leaders, managers and staff have an accurate understanding

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need to do better?

27 February 2020 of the strengths of the setting. They astutely identify areas that need further work to achieve the highest possible quality of education. Staff have regular opportunities to speak with leaders and managers, and as a team. They often review the individual progress of children and any concerns about them. However, supervision meetings do not always happen frequently enough to help staff to consistently reflect on how they can further develop their practice, or for managers to coach staff to improve their performance. n Enthusiastic staff lead children at enjoyable group times. These times are particularly beneficial for older and the most able children. Older children show very high levels of enthusiasm and engagement as they chat, giggle and share jokes with the staff. For example, when a child suggests that toast begins with the sound 't', staff comment about the smell of burnt toast still being in the air

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need to do better?

since breakfast and ask children if they can smell it. n Younger children typically receive good support from staff as they learn about the setting's routines and develop their confidence. They enjoy exploring the various play opportunities. For example, they empty and fill containers with oats. However, at group times, young children become distracted and their attention wanes. Teaching during these times is above their level of understanding and the group is too large for them to sustain attention.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff know how to recognise signs and refer any concerns they have that a child may be at risk from abuse and/or neglect. Staff work in close partnership with other professionals and families to offer individualised support to families where it is needed. Staff are vigilant and raise any potential concerns with their designated safeguarding lead. They listen to and value what children say. Recruitment procedures are in place and ensure that only those whose suitability has been checked work with the children. Committee members do not take an active role until their suitability has been established and confirmed by Ofsted.

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should:

n strengthen further the strategies to involve parents in their children's learning, particularly with regards to helping parents to foster children's love of reading n increase the effectiveness of staff supervision and training to further support and develop their knowledge and skills n review the organisation of group times to encourage the youngest children to join in with activities that are more closely matched to their individual stages of development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY365492 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10113032 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person Litcham Childcare Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01328 701155 Date of previous inspection 15 June 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Litcham Childcare registered in 2008. It is in Litcham, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. The setting employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The manager holds a degree in early years. The setting operates from Monday to Friday for 48 weeks of the year. It opens between 7.45am and 6pm, offering childcare, a breakfast club and an after- school club. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children. It cares for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of interactions between staff and children and evaluated the impact that these had on children's learning and development. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager and discussed the setting's curriculum. n The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of staff members. First-aid training certificates were viewed. n The inspector held joint discussions and a short meeting with the manager and provider. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. The inspector evaluated the experiences of children. n The inspector spoke with parents and considered their views about the setting.

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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

27 February 2020 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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