Little Ladybirds Pre School/Early Birds & Night Owls Out of School Club

Inspection of Little Ladybirds Pre School/Early Birds & Night Owls Out of School Club Northgate Primary School, Cricketfield Lane, BISHOP'S STORTFORD, Hertfordshire CM23 2RL

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

With a sense of pride, children enthusiastically welcome visitors into a warm, stimulating and endearing home-from-home environment. Children can take a break in softly lit, tranquil areas that are decorated with calm, neutral tones. Authentic resources spark curiosity and a love of learning, with meaningful play at the forefront. The curriculum intent and teaching vision is securely embedded throughout the staff team. Guided by the children's lead, staff are responsive to children's ideas, enabling them to feel empowered and play out their ideas in their own way. For example, a member of staff holds a shell to her ear and pretends to talk to a sea creature inside. Children roar with laughter. Their imaginations come alive as they excitedly talk to their own sea creatures before building a home for them inside some driftwood.

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The provision is outstanding

The management team has high expectations for children's behaviour and conduct. As a result, children's behaviour and attitude to learning is exemplary. Children are exceptionally polite and respectful to one another. Staff consistently praise and model good manners, fostering a positive and respectful culture. Children are often heard saying 'excuse me' when initiating conversations with peers and adults. Children are eager to join in, share and cooperate with each other. Children's self- esteem and confidence is enhanced, as they form caring friendships with children of different ages. Children feel safe and secure in this nurturing environment.

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need to do better?

n The superb management team works closely together to build robust and trusting parental partnerships. Parents receive regular information about how to support their children at home. Alongside daily communications, trusting relationships are built. Parent feedback is continuously welcomed, reflected upon, and used to make improvements. As a result, parents emotively describe how staff show genuine care and affection for their children. They feel supported with any worries they have about their children's health or development. n Home visits from children's key persons and stay-and-play sessions are offered to all children and families before they start. Early communication helps staff to get to know each child individually and to identify any gaps in learning. The manager instigates excellent partnership working with other agencies, such as health and educational professionals, to help secure timely and relevant support

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need to do better?

for children. As a result, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities or those from disadvantaged backgrounds, make outstanding progress. n Children who speak English as an additional language are given incomparable care and educational experiences in this inclusive setting. Staff learn phrases

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need to do better?

School Club 8 September 2022 familiar to children and familiar songs to support speech and language development. All staff are trained in using sign language. The use of visual- picture cards ensures children's voices are heard, and they begin to express their choices and wishes. All children develop their vocabulary and social and communication skills. n Inviting and skilfully planned indoor and outdoor environments support children to develop in all seven areas of learning. Forest-school outings mean children connect with nature and are physically active in their play. Children enjoy reading books in the cosy reading house in the garden and then retell these stories through their play. Mathematics learning is cleverly weaved through children's play. For example, a child counts in sequence to 10 as they take on a challenge to stand on one leg. n Exceedingly effective hygiene practices ensure the personal needs of children

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need to do better?

are consistently met. Children are meticulous and increasingly independent in managing their personal needs. Showing initiative, children proceed to one of many hygiene stations to independently wash their hands before mealtimes and after coming in from outside. Children display a positive self-image as they check in the mirror to ensure they have wiped their face properly after eating. n Children enjoy regular visits to the local nursing home and meeting people from the community who help us, such as a dentist or people from the fire service. Children learn about what makes them unique alongside developing a widespread appreciation of diversity and respect for others, preparing children for life in modern Britain. n The manager's passion and commitment to support her dedicated staff team is commendable. Meaningful engagement takes place with staff at all levels and regular supervision sessions provide staff with feedback to improve their

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need to do better?

practice. Staff well-being is paramount, and staff have access to a well-being officer to provide any additional support.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is given unquestionable priority, and regular risk assessments ensure children are always kept safe. Leadership and management have extremely clear expectations of staff. All staff have robust safeguarding knowledge and can identify signs of potential abuse and/or neglect. Staff know what action to take if they are concerned about the welfare of a child. Regular safeguarding training is provided to all staff members. Additionally, the manager makes use of scenarios to deepen staff's knowledge of wider issues, including grooming and exploitation. The manager demonstrates a vigorous, safe recruitment process that involves ongoing suitability checks of staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY402861 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10063613 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Lynskey, Hayley Marie

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reference number

Telephone number 07745 262676 Date of previous inspection 18 November 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Little Ladybirds Pre School/Early Birds & Night Owls Out of School Club registered in 2009. It operates from a classroom in Northgate Primary School. The pre-school and out-of-school club open each weekday, during school term times only, from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The setting employs eight members of staff, of whom seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager and the inspector completed a tour of the setting, both indoors and outdoors, to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. Additionally, the manager showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this had on children's learning. The inspector also observed the 'Night Owls Out of School Club'. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and also discussed self-evaluation. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Inspection activities

n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. Parents and carers shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the setting, and a selection of other records.

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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

School Club 8 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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