Little Gems Pre-School

Inspection of Little Gems Pre-School 61/63 North Lane, Aldershot, Hampshire GU12 4QF

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate a desire to learn. They are greeted warmly by the staff and confidently settle into the routine of the pre-school. Children demonstrate a secure understanding of how to behave and follow rules. For example, during imaginary play, children take turns making phone calls, sharing the handset. They talk animatedly about what they are going to do and confidently imitate adult phone calls.

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The provision is good

Children make good progress in their learning. Staff demonstrate a secure understanding of how children learn and develop. For example, they provide opportunities for children to explore their senses, creating pictures with shells, seeds and beads on mirrors. Staff engage with children in their play. At times, staff do not allow children to explore their ideas and develop their thinking further. Older children are not consistently challenged in their learning.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a highly effective key-person system. Staff know their children exceptionally well. They ensure that they understand the unique needs of each child and identify individual learning styles. Children undertake targeted learning programmes to ensure any gaps in learning are swiftly reduced. Staff establish exceptionally positive partnerships with parents, other professionals, such as speech and language therapists, and local advisers.

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need to do better?

n The manager has a positive attitude to improving the pre-school. This is demonstrated when she plans purposeful and enjoyable professional development opportunities for her team. For example, staff complete training about different learning styles. This is having a positive impact on learning through the staff's deepened awareness of how to communicate with children. n Staff develop excellent opportunities for children to talk about their feelings and emotions. This is demonstrated through the variety of stories and books that are used as a stimulus for discussion and activities. For instance, the children share the story 'I am a masterpiece' to explore the concept of uniqueness. The children use a picture frame to become a masterpiece themselves, saying what makes them unique and special. n Staff are positive role models. They are kind and caring, and children form strong attachments with them. Parents comment on the communication about

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need to do better?

their child's learning and how the staff support the whole family, assisting with establishing effective routines for potty training, or supporting healthy eating through sharing recipes. n During activities, staff get down to the children's level and actively engage with them. For example, staff encourage children to explore mixing mud, blossom

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need to do better?

11 May 2021 and leaves, talking about taking turns and watching what happens. However, staff can overlook opportunities to explore more challenging activities and develop mathematical language, such as using the wooden blocks to explore counting, size and spatial awareness. n Children receive focused learning both individually and in groups. At times, staff do not extend the older children by developing their thinking and expanding their ideas further. For example, staff tend to move on with the conversation or activity before the child is ready. n The manager observes staff regularly and gives them feedback on their performance. Staff have a wealth of knowledge between them and they are supported to attend new training courses. Staff introduced a speech programme in order to support children who have a speech delay or those learning English as an additional language. These children are now more confident when

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need to do better?

communicating with each other and staff. n Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of the next steps for children's learning. For instance, they organise the pre-school environment effectively to support the focus on promoting children's physical skills. Children enjoy completing the 'mind moves' trail around the room, waking up their bodies while doing different exercises. They enjoy opportunities to explore play dough, developing their hand muscles. n During snack time, children are encouraged to be independent. For example, pouring milk into their cup or peeling their banana. Staff model the use of good manners exceptionally well. They support children effectively with visual and verbal clues. Children feel extremely safe and secure in the setting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager ensures staff are well trained in child protection procedures and wider safeguarding issues. Staff refresh their safeguarding knowledge effectively in monthly staff meetings. This ensures that staff have a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of different types of abuse which may indicate that children are at risk of harm. Staff know who to contact in the event of concerns about children's welfare or staff practice. The manager carries out robust recruitment to ensure that all staff working with children are suitable. Policies and procedures reflect the advice and guidance of the local authorities and are fully available to parents.

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should:

n develop staff knowledge to offer older children more challenging mathematical activities

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should:

11 May 2021 n strengthen staff understanding of how to respond to children's ideas and help them to develop their thinking further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY562223 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10191170 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Szymanska-Queiroz, Magdalena

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reference number

Telephone number 07840366311 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Gems Pre-School registered in October 2018 and operates from a church hall in Aldershot, Hampshire. The setting employs six members of childcare staff, four of whom hold early years qualifications from level 3 to level 6. The setting operates during term time only, Monday to Friday. Sessions are from 8.30am to 3.30pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk to understand how the early provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was carried out by the manger and the inspector. n The views and opinions of parents, children and staff were taken into account during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a variety of documents, including children's records, policies and evidence of staff's suitability and training.

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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

11 May 2021 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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