Somercotes Stars Pre-School

Inspection of Somercotes Stars Pre- School North Somercotes C of E School, School Lane, North Somercotes, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 7QB

p.1

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is not assured, as leaders fail to check the suitability of members of the committee who are in a role of responsibility. These committee members play an active part within the setting, including interacting with children frequently and overseeing private and confidential information. Furthermore, leaders fail to take steps when they identify further possible risks to children's safety. When serious incidents occur that may affect staff and committee members' suitability to work with the children, leaders do not report these to Ofsted.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

However, children are happy at the setting and arrive excited to see their friends. They willingly share toys, including ones they bring from home, and invite their friends to join in with their chosen play. Children quickly develop close relationships with staff and seek out cuddles throughout the day.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children are highly engaged during activities and confidently share the knowledge they learn. They learn about road safety, go for a walk around the community, repeating to visitors that they must 'be careful of cars'. Staff praise the children as they put their coats and high-visibility jackets on without support. Children show extensive listening skills as they follow staff instructions, holding hands and waiting at the kerb side before crossing. With staff encouragement, they demonstrate good behaviour and manners, saying 'thank you' and 'good morning' to people they meet and waiting for dogs to pass them. Children enjoy singing songs as they walk, joining staff in using a variety of words and actions.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leadership of the setting is weak, and some responsibilities of the role have not been fulfilled, such as reporting serious incidents that may affect the suitability of some staff and committee members. Therefore, leaders have breached the requirements of their registration. Leaders have not checked the suitability of members of the committee before allowing them to spend time with the children, including having access to forms of personal information. They have also failed to obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service check for these committee members in a timely manner. This puts children at risk of potential harm. n Staff know all the children well, including their individual personalities. They play alongside children to identify what they know and can do. Staff share this information with each other to plan what children need to learn next. They put targeted help in place when they observe that children may need additional

p.2

need to do better?

support with an aspect of their learning. n Staff plan activities based on children's interests and the different skills and knowledge they want them to learn. For example, children develop their pencil grip while drawing Christmas scenes with staff, as they have been talking about

p.2

need to do better?

18 November 2022 this celebration. Staff prompt children to try drawing different shapes and explain what they look like, such as an oval looking like a balloon. n Overall, staff interact with children well. They hold vibrant conversations about the world around them and encourage them to ask questions. For instance, staff talk to children about what they think the doctors' building is and what it is for. Children share that they had an injection there. However, staff use language with younger children that does not support them to learn new vocabulary effectively, such as using the word 'glovies' for gloves. n Staff remind children about the rules of the setting and reward them for kind behaviour. They teach children how to help one another to put toys away when they have finished playing. Staff encourage children to try things for themselves and praise them for solving problems, such as how to make sure they all fit on

p.2

need to do better?

the same path during a walk. n Children know what is expected of them, as staff have clear and consistent boundaries. Staff teach children to wash their hands and sit patiently at the table. They know to eat their sandwiches first, and staff explain what other healthy foods they have in their lunch. n Parents and carers are extremely complimentary about staff and the quality of their communication. They feel included in all aspects of their children's care and learning while at the setting, explaining that staff work with them to ensure strategies used to support children at the setting are consistent with those used at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders allow people whose suitability has not been checked to access information about children and spend time with them. They also fail to alert the appropriate agencies, such as Ofsted and the local authority, of concerns or serious incidents that may affect staff and committee members suitability. Therefore, leaders fail to take the steps necessary to ensure children's safety and welfare. Staff understand the signs and symptoms that children may be at risk of harm. They know where and when to raise these concerns with others, including the safeguarding partnership. Staff check the environment regularly to ensure it is a safe place for children to play. They have procedures in place for visitors, including checking their identification.

p.3

Due date

18 November 2022 ensure the leadership team take steps to fulfil their role effectively, with particular regard to checking the suitability of committee members and notifying other professionals of any concerns about the suitability of adults associated with the setting. 09/12/2022

p.3

should:

n strengthen staff's understanding of how best to support children to learn new vocabulary and pronounce words accurately.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY451962 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10261706 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Somercotes Stars Pre-School Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01507359330 Date of previous inspection 13 March 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Somercotes Stars Pre-school is located in Louth, Lincolnshire and registered in 2012. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The pre-school operates Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 manager and inspector conducted a learning walk together, discussing the learning intention for children and how the environment is arranged. n The manager and inspector observed and evaluated an activity. n The inspector observed staff and children of all ages throughout the setting. n The inspector held discussions with leaders regularly during the inspection. n Parents' and carers' views were taken into consideration. n A sample of documentation was reviewed, including paediatric first-aid certificates, suitability checks and safeguarding policies and procedures.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

18 November 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7