Little Fir Trees Preschool

Inspection of Little Fir Trees Preschool K M Sports Club, Ratby Lane, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester, Leicestershire LE9 2AQ

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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 settle quickly and easily in the pre-school, which parents and carers attribute to the very good support from staff. Children develop resilience as they learn how to work together, share and take turns during activities. Staff skilfully support this by only stepping in to manage any minor disagreements when absolutely necessary. Children show high levels of independence. For example, they recognise that they need an apron to join the water play and take themselves inside to get one.

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The provision is good

Children relish music activities. They move around with high levels of enthusiasm to familiar folk songs. They remember the lyrics and dance, climb, jump and hop with control and coordination. Older children demonstrate that they have good core strength and balance as they play outdoors. They carefully step up the bank in the garden and climb the ladder into the playhouse.

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The provision is good

Children have very good attitudes to learning. They show focus and concentration as they try to complete tasks, such as clipping paper onto a clipboard. Older children work collaboratively to mix 'Gruffalo crumble'. They stir the mixture and predict what will happen when they add more of a certain ingredient. Staff support children's vocabulary development as they encourage them to describe the texture and introduce new words.

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need to do better?

n Staff have high expectations for all children. They ensure that the curriculum identifies the key skills, knowledge and understanding that children need for their next stage of learning. Staff know the children very well, and know what they are capable of and what they need to learn next. Parents explain how their children 'flourish' in their learning and development while at the pre-school. n Staff have frequent and informative conversations with parents to ensure children's needs are met. They ensure that parents know what their child is learning next so that they can support this at home. Parents describe the staff as 'amazing'. They praise how effective the support is to help children to get ready for their move to school. They value how staff give children opportunities to participate in new activities to broaden their experiences. n Managers are very effective in supporting children with special educational

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need to do better?

needs and/or disabilities. They skilfully use monitoring and assessment tools to quickly identify children's needs. They provide targeted support to help children to catch up if they are behind in their learning. They have well-developed partnerships with other agencies to make early referrals, so that children get the support they need as quickly as possible. They make good use of additional funding to enhance children's progress.

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need to do better?

4 July 2022 n Staff provide varied opportunities to help children to develop respect for others. For example, they encourage children to vote for where they want to play outdoors, to support them to recognise and value others' views. n Children benefit from good-quality interactions. Staff join in with children's self- chosen play to support their learning. For example, they encourage children to work out how to complete a jigsaw and give helpful instructions when they are struggling. However, on occasion, staff do not extend an activity to help children to develop further. For example, children ably kick a ball to each other. They repeat the same action until they lose interest. n Managers are considerate of the well-being of staff and reduce unnecessary tasks, such as completing paperwork. They use the performance management of staff well to drive improvements to practice. A recent focus on communicating

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need to do better?

with children ensures that staff give children time to join in with conversations to understand and answer questions. Children have good communication skills and make relevant and meaningful contributions to discussions. n Staff provide adult-led activities so that they can teach children specific skills, especially those who are getting ready to go to school. During a group activity, children demonstrate that they clearly understand the expectations. They also listen, greet each other and answer questions. However, staff do not always adapt these activities to ensure that they are fully supporting what they intend children to learn. n Children are developing high levels of independence. For example, children of all ages are learning to manage their packed lunch, deciding what order to eat their food in and placing their belongings away when they have finished. They have a go at opening difficult packets before asking for assistance.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children learn the rules of the pre-school. As they get older, they are able to explain why the rules are in place and the consequences of some actions. This helps children to develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Staff have a detailed knowledge of child protection, including indicators of abuse. They are fully familiar with the pre-school procedures should they have any concerns about a child. Staff position themselves well during children's free play to ensure children are safe.

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should:

n strengthen the planning of adult-led activities to focus more precisely on how children will achieve the intended learning n support staff to enhance their interactions with children to provide the highest

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should:

4 July 2022 levels of challenge so that they make the best possible progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2532223 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10208495 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person Little Oak Trees Pre-school Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 07890139222 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Fir Trees Preschool registered in 2017 and operates from Kirby Muxlowe Sports Club, Kirby Muxlowe, Leicestershire. The pre-school employs 10 members of childcare staff, nine of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The pre- school opens from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The pre- school 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 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 and inspector completed a learning walk and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The manager and inspector completed a joint observation of children's outdoor play. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and manager about the leadership and management of the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the

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Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

4 July 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.

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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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