Octotots Pre School

Inspection of Octotots Pre School St. Andrews Methodist Church Centre, Glenfield Road East, Leicester, Leicestershire LE3 5QW

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is not assured because staff do not have a suitable knowledge of child protection. In addition, none of the staff have a current first-aid qualification. The owner does not maintain records of suitability checks undertaken on staff. Furthermore, the owner does not ensure that staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to support children to make good progress in their learning and development.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are happy to attend the pre-school. They show enthusiasm as they join in with the activities. Children enjoy imaginative play as they pretend to make meals, adding different ingredients and mixing them together. Staff join in and support children's learning, for example encouraging their recall skills and modelling new language. However, the quality of teaching is inconsistent. Staff do not always engage children fully in the activities or provide sufficient challenge to extend their existing skills and knowledge.

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The provision is inadequate

Children who are new to the setting quickly begin to settle and develop attachments with staff. Staff use reminders and simple songs consistently to support children as they move from one routine to another. Children understand the expectations and are respectful of each other and staff. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when using the outdoor play equipment.

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need to do better?

n Staff do not have an up-to-date knowledge of child protection in order to recognise and manage signs of abuse. They are unfamiliar with the correct procedure to follow if there is a concern about another adult working at the setting. The owner does not ensure that at least one person with a paediatric first-aid qualification is present at all times. Furthermore, the owner does not ensure that she maintains records of all of the suitability checks she completes on staff when they are appointed. n Staff accurately assess what children already know and can do. However, they have not developed the curriculum plans well enough to clearly establish what knowledge, skills and understanding they want children to achieve in all aspects of learning. For example, they know that some children need to develop their communication skills, but do not identify exactly what they are going to teach them. n The owner evaluates practice within the setting and has an awareness of where

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need to do better?

improvements need to be made. She provides coaching and support for some staff to develop their practice. However, this is not consistent. She is not yet tackling all weak teaching practice. Consequently, the quality of education is variable. For example, children are eager to join in with the circle time session.

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need to do better?

26 September 2022 They learn a song and recall each other's names. However, the planned discussions are somewhat limited, meaning there is insufficient extension for the most able children. n Children receive good support from staff to settle, especially when they are new to the setting. Staff have adapted the support given, following the COVID-19 pandemic, to tailor this for children who may have had little or no contact with others prior to starting at the pre-school. They work closely with parents and carers to ensure children are given the time they need to feel comfortable and secure. Children's emotional security is also supported during the session. For example, staff sing to them during nappy change times. The staff team are extremely supportive of each other and work together to provide a welcoming and friendly environment for children. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good levels of

p.2

need to do better?

support. The owner is very knowledgeable and experienced. She carries out detailed assessments to identify children's needs, using a range of monitoring tools to securely establish where they need support. The owner ensures that referrals are made quickly to other agencies and professionals to secure additional support as early as possible. She also undertakes thorough research into how to use additional funding to ensure this enhances children's development. n Children show increasing independence. For example, they pour their own drinks at snack time and put their used crockery in a bowl when leaving the table. Staff encourage children to try the different fruits on offer so they experience new foods. n The owner gathers and values the views of parents and carers. She uses feedback to improve procedures within the setting. Recently, parents and carers advised that they would like more information about their child's learning and

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need to do better?

development. The owner has implemented a new system that provides more information, which is available for them to access at any time.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff are not able to recognise some types of abuse. They are not aware of where to report concerns or how to manage allegations appropriately. The owner does not ensure records to evidence the suitability of staff are maintained. Nor does she ensure at least one member of staff has paediatric first-aid training. Risk assessments ensure that the premises are safe and secure, including fire exits. The owner provides useful guidance for parents and carers about the safe preparation of certain foods for children's lunch boxes, for example grapes.

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Due date

ensure that staff have an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of child protection and can recognise and respond to concerns 24/10/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that at least one person who has a current paediatric first-aid certificate is present on the premises at all times 24/10/2022

p.4

Due date

record information about staff qualifications, identity checks and vetting processes that have been completed, including the Disclosure and Barring Service check details 07/11/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that staff understand how to manage an allegation being made against another adult 07/11/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that the supervision of staff supports them to receive appropriate training and professional development opportunities to improve the quality of teaching 05/12/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that the curriculum clearly identifies what you want children to learn and provides sufficient challenge to help children to make the best possible progress 05/12/2022

p.4

Due date

improve the quality of staff interactions with children to ensure that they continually build on what they already know and can do. 05/12/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2544740 Local authority Leicester Inspection number 10215496 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 25 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person Arnold, Louise

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reference number

Telephone number 07877607134 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Octotots Pre School registered in 2019 and is located in Leicester. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, one has qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am to 11.30am, and 12.30pm to 3.30pm, with a lunch club between 11.30am and 12.30pm. 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 setting 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 setting. n The inspector completed a learning walk. She observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the owner. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre- school. n The inspector discussed the procedures for evaluation and the priorities for improvement. n The inspector spoke to parents and carers during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

26 September 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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