Littlesaints Preschool

Inspection of Littlesaints Preschool School Road, EXETER EX2 9AF

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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

Children are extremely confident and settled in the warm and welcoming pre- school. Children have a very positive approach to learning. The pre-school has effective strategies in place to support children with separating from parents and carers. Staff promote a strong sense of belonging for each child. They greet every child in a personalised way and adapt every interaction to sensitively meet the emotional needs shown by children. Relationships between staff and children are impressive. Children know what is expected of them and eagerly join in with everyday tasks. For example, children thoroughly enjoy tidy-up routines that are in place. Children choose a photo of an area of the room and take responsibility to tidy it. Children beam with pride at their efforts. Children show care for each other and are eager to offer help to younger children. For example, when children are finding putting on their coats a challenge, older children are quick to remind little

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The provision is outstanding

Children enjoy an extensive range of exciting activities on offer. Staff prioritise supporting children to develop excellent communication and language skills. The setting is language rich. Children giggle as they sing along to favourite songs and rhymes. Staff share story books with the children and the children delight in the animated storytelling they hear. Developing a love for books and storytelling is a priority in this pre-school. The children show such excitement about their weekly trip to the local library and can recall in detail stories shared on past visits.

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need to do better?

n Children's behaviour is exceptional. Staff are positive role models. They help children to recognise and understand emotions and support them with strategies when they are feeling sad or anxious. For example, they use family photo cards to support children who find separation a challenge. n The staff have a thorough understanding of what they want children to achieve, and have high expectations for them. Staff use knowledge of each child's interests to motivate children's learning. Children concentrate extremely well and keep trying until they succeed. For example, they find gripping the icing tubes a challenge when decorating gingerbread men, but they all persevere. n Staff build on what children know and can do, for example, in mathematics and early writing, and challenge children through their questioning to help them reach their potential. All children make excellent progress in learning and development. The pre-school is highly inclusive. Staff work closely with other

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need to do better?

professionals to secure early help for children with additional needs. n Staff share a vision and passion for the success of the pre-school and the children it serves. Staff are very reflective and continuously identify improvements that impact positively on the children's learning experiences. New

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need to do better?

13 December 2022 outdoor mathematical equipment has been purchased to support children in developing understanding of early mathematical concepts and the children are eager to use it. For example, children enjoy investigating a large set of scales and enjoy the challenge set by staff of making the scales balance. n Staff benefit from regular supervision, observations of teaching and professional development. Teaching is consistently outstanding. n Partnership work with parents and carers is highly effective. Parents value the impressive levels of care and support they receive. They feel fully informed about their child's learning, through daily contact, a contact app and meetings with staff. They enjoy receiving story books to continue children's learning at home. n The pre-school is very much part of the community, and children often take part in activities at the attached school. Children enjoy rich experiences that support

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need to do better?

them to understand about the similarities and differences between themselves and others. They enjoyed creating images of themselves and staff used these as tools for talk. They find out about other cultures across the world through activities, such as investigating money from different countries in the play till and sharing books from different cultures.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a secure understanding of their safeguarding roles. They are clear about identifying any signs of concern about the welfare of a child in their care and know what action to take in response. All staff complete regular training updates. Staff understand it is everyone's responsibility to keep children safe. Children learn to take safe risks during their adventures in the outdoor play area. They willingly tidy away resources indoors to maintain a safe environment for all. The setting has effective entry and exit procedures that ensure children are safe and secure.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY343699 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10263101 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 16 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Hooper, Jayne Margaret

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reference number

Telephone number 01392 217 880 Date of previous inspection 20 April 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Littlesaints Preschool registered in 2006. The pre-school operates from its own premises attached to St Thomas Primary School in Exeter. It opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, during term time only. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are two staff, including the manager, who both hold appropriate childcare qualifications to level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school 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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

13 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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