Little Fishes Pre-School

Inspection of Little Fishes Pre-School St Mary's Church Centre, Churchgate Street, Old Harlow, Essex CM17 0JR

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

All children are happy to enter the setting on arrival and excitedly go off to play. Teachers take time to get to know each individual child and use a variety of teaching methods to support the children to make good progress. Children demonstrate high levels of engagement in activities and are curious about what is going on around them. For example, they ask teachers questions about things they notice. Children are confident to move between activities and play with the activities on offer.

p.2

The provision is good

Children demonstrate learning by regularly recalling what is learned in small groups and during free play. They enjoy talking about past activities they have taken part in. For example, children talk excitedly about the sunflowers they planted at pre- school, which they are growing at home. They also demonstrate a clear understanding of the routine of the pre-school, the behavioural expectations and rules and boundaries. This supports them to behave impeccably. They are kind and courteous towards their peers and their teachers.

p.2

need to do better?

n Teachers place an emphasis on children's mathematical development and provide numerous opportunities for children to acquire and use mathematical language. Children demonstrate learning in these areas by confidently counting objects, using mathematical language and correctly answering mathematical questions. Children are supported to recognise numerals in the environment, and older children are encouraged to write numerals. n Teachers are very responsive to children, and intervene and support when necessary. Teachers use a variety of teaching methods to support children to behave appropriately and, as a result, children behave impeccably. The children demonstrate a clear understanding of the rules and behavioural expectations of the setting and are kind and respectful towards each other. n All children are supported to make progress. Their key person has an in-depth knowledge of the individual child, how they are doing, what progress they are

p.2

need to do better?

making and the next steps needed to further enhance the child's learning. They confidently talk about their key children and demonstrate they take time to get to know each child and work with them to make good progress. n There is a clear intent of what staff want children to learn. Activities on offer are carefully planned and set up to support children to learn in these areas, particularly in their communication and language, mathematics, physical and personal, social and emotional development. n Children are engaged and demonstrate enjoyment from the activities on offer to them. However, the activities on offer are adult led and set up for the children. The activities are prescriptive and this has an impact on the children's ability to

p.2

need to do better?

10 June 2022 make their own choices, express themselves and guide their own play and learning. For example, children are not able to self-select resources that interest them to enhance their play and learning. n Children are supported well in their communication and language development. They recall songs and the timetable of activities, and demonstrate that they know what comes next. The children listen to instructions and go and find requested objects. Children recite a story about a hungry caterpillar. They show their understanding of life cycles and talk about the foods the caterpillar eats, and how it gets bigger and bigger. n Parents speak highly of the setting and are very pleased with the progress their children have made since attending, in particular with their communication and language development. n Robust supervision and monitoring of staff practice is in place and used to drive continuous improvement.

p.2

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

All staff know what to do to keep children safe. They know what signs to look for to identify concerns and know what to do if they had a concern about a child. They talk confidently about how to appropriately record and report any concerns they may have. Leaders have a strong understanding of how to safeguard the children in their care and what procedures to follow if they are notified of any concerns. They understand their responsibilities and ensure children's safety is paramount. Leaders and staff all regularly review their safeguarding training to ensure their knowledge is up to date. All staff are confident to stand up for the children and know what to do if the concern involved the pre-school's leadership team. Staff's suitability to work with children is reviewed regularly and safer recruitment guidelines are followed.

p.3

should:

n give children more opportunities to guide their own learning by making choices and decisions about what they do and the resources they want to use.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 402043 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10072905 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 30

p.4

Name of registered person

The Parochial Church Council of The Ecclesiastical Parish of Harlow

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07790929274 Date of previous inspection 21 March 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Fishes Pre-School registered in 1992 and is situated in Old Harlow, Essex. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday during term time only from 9.15am until 12.15pm, and also offers a lunch club from 12.15pm until 1.15pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 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 Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the pre-school's curriculum and what it is that they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n Parents provided the inspector with oral feedback. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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

10 June 2022 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