Ladybirds Pre-School

Inspection of Ladybirds Pre-School Roebutts Close, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 7AP

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are very happy at this welcoming pre-school. They feel safe and secure and settle well into the environment. Staff are softly spoken and calm, caring and responsive to children's needs throughout their day. For example, they recognise when a child would rather not take part in an activity. Children are very comfortable approaching staff, and they share a lovely relationship. Children behave well. They develop good friendships and the ability to share. Staff remind children of expected behaviour throughout the pre-school. This is reinforced by using soft toys they call 'critters'. Each critter represents a behaviour that staff want to see during activities. For example, the 'Sydney Squirrel' toy likes 'good sitting'.

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The provision is good

Children develop good communication and language skills. Staff consistently talk to children and ask questions. They encourage children to interact and talk to each other. Staff use sign language and picture cards to encourage this further. This is particularly effective with children who speak English as an additional language (EAL) and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children show good levels of independence. They pour drinks for themselves and their friends with increasing skill and control. Children clear their own lunches away and put rubbish in the bin.

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need to do better?

n Staff have a clear understanding of what children are to learn next, and the environment successfully supports this. They plan an effective curriculum for all children, ensuring it is a fully inclusive learning environment. This means that all children, including children who speak EAL and children with SEND, make good developmental progress. Staff know their key children well. They fully understand their levels of development and what their next steps are. They plan effectively based on children's interests and what captures their attention each day. For instance, when children were excited about getting ready for the holidays, staff provided materials for them to practise wrapping Christmas presents. n Children have a wide range of resources available to them inside the pre-school and in their garden area. They enjoy free-flow access to the garden and play outside in all weathers. They have great fun practising their physical skills in the

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need to do better?

large, safe space available. n Children's learning is further enhanced by group activities. During the day, children are separated into age groups to allow for more-focused learning. For example, two-year-olds go into the 'den' to play with age-appropriate resources. Older children are led to 'the challenge zone', where they are free to play with resources of their choice. However, at times, group activities are too long. This

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need to do better?

8 December 2022 is especially the case for younger children, who start to lose concentration and therefore do not fully benefit from the session. n Staff are a close-knit team who feel fully supported by their proactive manager. Staff meetings are held regularly to discuss the pre-school and the needs of the children within it. Meetings take place every week to keep everyone up to date about the needs of children with SEND. This includes the immediate and ever- changing needs of the children. Staff have access to online training and any other identified courses. This continued professional development helps to ensure children are given every opportunity to learn and develop to their full potential. n Parents are very happy with the pre-school. They comment on how comfortable they feel leaving their children in staff's care. They say that staff are friendly and put them at ease as well as giving them regular feedback. Parents feel the pre-

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need to do better?

school especially helps with settling children into their new environment. They also comment on the support staff provide for children who speak EAL. This includes using a reading scheme with books in two languages, which allows the same story to be read in English at the pre-school and in the child's home language at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a very good understanding of safeguarding. They can identify signs of radicalisation and neglect. Staff are confident with the process involved if they have a concern about a member of staff, a parent or a child. They are aware of the safeguarding policy and where to find it if needed to secure their knowledge. Staff receive safeguarding and 'Prevent' duty training regularly and discuss topics as a team. Staff ensure children are constantly in a safe and secure environment.

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should:

n review and refine the routines so that activities are kept to an acceptable length and children remain interested and engaged.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 511118 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10263268 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 37 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person Lady Birds Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01635 40481 Date of previous inspection 26 April 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Ladybirds Pre-School registered in 1989. It is open each weekday, from 9am to 3pm, during term time only. There are six members of staff working with the children. All hold relevant early years qualifications, up to qualified teacher status. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years.

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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 took the inspector on a learning walk of the pre-school and explained the curriculum intentions. n Discussions and meetings were held with the managers and staff during the inspection. n The deputy manager and the inspector observed and evaluated an activity together. n The inspector gained some views from parents about the pre-school. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection.

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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

8 December 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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