Little Rascals Pre-Prep

Inspection of Little Rascals Pre-Prep Little Rascals Preschool, 4 Clanricarde Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1PE

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and settled, including children new to the setting. They make good use of cosy areas to relax and rest. Children receive a warm welcome from staff when they arrive each day. This helps them to feel confident to separate from their parents easily. Children benefit from plenty of praise and encouragement from staff, which positively promotes their confidence and self-esteem. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the company of familiar staff, who care for them well.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of all children. They give consistent messages and act as positive role models. Children behave well, are polite and well mannered. Any gaps in children's learning and development, such as lack of confidence, close quickly, including those which may have happened due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. For example, as many children have been unable to travel, staff have planned the indoor environment and activities to improve children's understanding of other countries. Staff share home learning suggestions with parents to support all children to progress in their learning and development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have kept parents up to date and involved in their child's learning using secure online platforms.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff provide a stimulating environment for children to learn and play. The bright and well-resourced rooms provide children with the space to explore and lead their own play. This successfully promotes their independence. Resources are on low shelves for children to access independently and are changed regularly to maintain children's curiosity. Staff consider children's interests when selecting resources and planning activities. For example, children develop their imaginations and writing skills when taking orders in the coffee shop role play area. n Children develop good levels of vocabulary as staff make excellent use of opportunities to introduce new words, such as 'cocoon' and 'chrysalis'. Staff extend children's thinking and problem-solving skills effectively by asking questions and prompting memory recall. Children can follow instructions and demonstrate good listening skills. This is shown, for example, as they

p.2

need to do better?

successfully play a whispering game with a staff member. Children are self- assured and inquisitive learners. For instance, they confidently chat with visitors, asking why they are there and what they are doing. n Leaders are committed to improving practitioners' knowledge and skills. This helps to ensure children receive high-quality learning experiences. For example, when gaps in children's mathematical development arose, the manager arranged for staff to attend relevant mathematical training. As a result, children have

p.2

need to do better?

4 August 2021 made progress in their counting skills. Leaders support staff to manage their workload and to maintain their well-being, with effective supervision processes. n Children benefit from the many ways staff teach them about healthy lifestyles. They thoroughly enjoy the nutritious snacks and home-made meals provided by the staff. Furthermore, they participate in exercise that promotes their physical development well. For example, they refine their balancing and stretching skills during an outdoor yoga activity. n Leaders have established strong partnerships with outside agencies, which helps prepare children for what comes next. Leaders work closely with local schools to share information to ensure children's needs are met from the outset. There are good processes in place to support children when settling in and moving rooms within the setting. However, some daily routines are too long. Therefore,

p.2

need to do better?

children become restless and are not engaged in learning. n Children show high levels of independence, such as taking themselves to the toilet and serving their own food at lunchtime. Staff support children to understand the rules and boundaries of the setting, which helps to develop their social skills. They are kind to each other, share resources and take turns. For example, they work together to mix up the ingredients to make gingerbread men.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders and staff have a good understanding of how to keep children safe. They know the indicators of child abuse and the processes to follow if they have concerns about children's welfare. The premises are safe and secure. Staff supervise children closely, indoors and outside, to ensure children's safety at all times. The management team have effective processes in place to ensure the ongoing suitability of staff to work with children.

p.3

should:

n review and develop the organisation of daily routines, such as lunchtimes, to reduce waiting times and to keep children engaged in learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY558229 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10194131 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 64 Number of children on roll 80 Name of registered person ICP Nurseries Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01892313244 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Rascals Pre-Prep registered in 2018 and is owned by ICP Nurseries Ltd. The setting is located in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Hours of operation are between 7.30am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. The setting employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold full and relevant early education qualifications between level 2 and level 6.

p.4

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 manager, staff and inspector completed a learning walk together. The inspector viewed all areas of the setting to understand how the early years curriculum is organised. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of an activity. n Children and parents shared their views with the inspector. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and viewed relevant documentation.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

4 August 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

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

Inspection activities

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

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6