Little Lions Pre-School & Nursery

Inspection of Little Lions Pre-School & Nursery Oxlease Methodist Church, Woods Avenue, HATFIELD, Hertfordshire AL10 8NA

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

Children are curious learners. They are excited to join in with singing their favourite nursery rhymes and add actions enthusiastically. Children are encouraged in their interests and have opportunities to make choices, share and apply their own ideas in play. Staff's high-level support extends opportunities for children to develop their communication and language. For example, staff use visual prompts and sign language to support children to know what is happening now and next.

p.2

The provision is good

Children show love and care through role play. For example, they dress baby dolls, button their clothes and rock them gently to sleep. Children prepare to go outside by changing their shoes for wellies and putting on their hats and coats independently. They like to explore a discovery area in the garden where they plant fruits and talk about what they are doing and what might happen next.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have settled well into pre-school and have established strong bonds with staff, in particular their key persons. Children enjoy exploring physical play where they experiment with assault courses and bouncing balls. They have opportunities to count what objects they use and share with their peers as they demonstrate turn taking. Staff take steps to support children with their fine motor skills. For example, children are encouraged to make snips with scissors as they follow designs. They show a positive attitude to learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff support children's home languages through modelling keywords shared by families. This helps to further develop children's communication and language. Staff use sign language to support children's understanding, to extend their vocabulary and enhance interactions. This helps children to make good progress in their communication and language development. n The management team has a positive impact on staff where they support the development of the team. There is a robust recruitment and induction process to support staff in their roles. The management team has regular discussions and reviews with staff to support their key-person approach and plan a curriculum specific to the cohort of children attending the pre-school. This means that all children can be supported to achieve their full potential. n Staff interact positively with children and share the 'wow' moments they have had in their learning and development. For example, children have learned how

p.2

need to do better?

to put their coats on in preparation to explore outdoors. This helps children to develop their independence. However, the management of group times is not always effective enough to ensure that children remain highly engaged and benefit from the good learning opportunities on offer. n Parents discuss how well their children have settled and positively comment on

p.2

need to do better?

10 November 2022 their experiences and interactions with staff. The management team focuses the settling-in process on children's individual needs. The management team supports parents and values their feedback, to find out more about their children and how they can continually develop effective ways of communicating. n Children approach learning with positive attitudes, and the curriculum provides children with support to extend their interests through play. For example, children explore in a discovery area outdoors where language is extended to discuss what children know and what they can do next when planting fruits. Staff support children with how they can learn and actively respond in play to prepare children for their next stages of development. n The special educational needs coordinator works well with children and their families to build effective strategies to support any identified delays in children's

p.2

need to do better?

development. They work closely with outside professionals and follow processes to ensure that children are supported individually if they need it. n The management team supports staff to build their confidence through achievable targets and goals to further develop their practice. Staff are individually supported and feel valued.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate robust safeguarding knowledge at a pre-school where child protection and well-being are a high priority. All staff can describe what signs and symptoms they would look for regarding abuse and/or neglect and can outline wider safeguarding issues. Staff know who the designated safeguarding lead is and understand how to swiftly raise any concerns about children or staff without delay. The management team has a robust system for recruitment and vetting processes to ensure that all staff working with children are suitable.

p.3

should:

n develop the management of group times so that children enjoy high levels of engagement in the learning opportunities provided.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY484159 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10236571 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 38 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person M J Rochford And S L Heywood Partnership

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07731399773 Date of previous inspection 7 March 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Lions Pre-School & Nursery was registered in 2015. The setting employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above, including one member of staff who holds a qualification at level 4. The setting opens from 9.15am until 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday, and 12.30pm until 3.30pm on a Friday, during term time only. It 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 management team and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The management team and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum and the impact on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took into account their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager of a group activity. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took into account their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The management team showed the inspector relevant documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff and their paediatric first-aid certificates.

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 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.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