Safari Childcare

Inspection of THE PARTYHOUSE 70 Laindon Road, Billericay CM12 9LD

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 Outstanding

p.1

The provision is good

Children are greeted by familiar staff as they arrive at the pre-school. They readily leave their parents and quickly engage in play. Children develop strong and trusting bonds with staff, who provide them with care and affection. Young children climb onto staff's laps and share familiar stories. They listen intently and discuss the pictures together. Children happily involve staff in their play. For example, young children use their imagination and pretend to make cupcakes and cups of tea for staff.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy their time in the garden. They use the balance beam to walk along and delight in jumping off the end. This helps children to build their core strength and develop their balance. Other children thoroughly enjoy digging for worms in the garden. Together with staff, they discuss what they think worms might eat and drink. Children then decide to make a small worm garden in a bowl. They collect plenty of mud, leaves and twigs for the worms' new home. Staff use these opportunities to help children to learn about simple addition. For example, when children have two worms, staff ask how many they will have if they add another one. Children quickly say that two add one makes three.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management team has worked hard to continually improve practice. They have recruited new staff and work together to prioritise staff's well-being. The management team demonstrate a reflective and evaluative approach. They take note of feedback from parents, children and staff to make changes and improvements. n Children can make choices in their play from the range of resources and activities available to them. They engage, for a long period of time, in meaningful activities that are planned for their interests. This helps children to be motivated learners. For example, children have opportunities to carry out digging activities in the garden. They spend an extended amount of time filling and emptying moulds with sand. n Staff promote children's mathematical development well. Older children start to learn about more complex shapes, such as a semicircle, as they discuss that this is half a circle. When staff introduce new shapes, such as a crescent, children

p.2

need to do better?

recognise this is a similar shape to a banana. Staff use other opportunities to help children to learn to count, such as counting the birds that they can see in the garden or the number of plates they need at lunchtime. n Children generally behave well. The manager plans for new children to learn the rules and expected behaviour in the pre-school. However, staff do not always explain their expectations clearly to children, so that they develop a deeper understanding of why the rules are in place. For example, staff remind children

p.2

need to do better?

24 January 2023 not to stand on equipment without an explanation as to why they must not do this. As a result, children do not learn the importance of respecting resources. n Children are developing some self-care skills. Staff support children to understand that they need to wash their hands before lunchtime and after playing in the garden. However, children are not as well supported to become independent. For example, staff put children's coats on for them. This does not help children to learn to do things for themselves. n Staff support children's communication and language development well. They continually talk to children during activities, adding in new words, such as 'squish' and 'mould', and asking them questions. Staff read stories and sing songs as part of everyday activities. As a result, children are becoming confident talkers. n Partnerships with parents are positive. Parents value the feedback that staff

p.2

need to do better?

give. They are delighted with the progress their children are making. Home learning ideas are shared with parents to help their children progress at home. This helps with the continuity of care. Parents state that the pre-school holds a 'special place' in their children's hearts.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff understand their responsibilities to safeguard the children in their care. The manager regularly tests staff knowledge with questions and visual reminders to make sure they have a good understanding of the wider safeguarding concerns, such as female genital mutilation. She has created safeguarding lanyards for staff to wear to remind them of key information. Robust recruitment processes are in place to ensure that those working with children are safe to do so. Staff know when and how to report concerns they have about a child in their care or about a colleague.

p.3

should:

n support staff to provide a consistent approach to behaviour management, so that children learn why behaviour rules are in place n provide more opportunities for children to develop their independence.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY472067 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10269790 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 76 Name of registered person Little Legs Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01277 514132 Date of previous inspection 13 November 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

THE PARTYHOUSE registered in 2013 and is located in Billericay. There are four members of pre-school staff and 11 other staff who manage and operate an out- of-school club. The provider and area manager hold qualifications at level 5. The manager of the pre-school holds qualified teacher status, three staff hold qualifications at level 3 and another holds a Montessori qualification. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, with the pre-school operating from 9am until 3pm and the out-of-school club from 7am until 8.30am and 3.30pm until 7pm, all year round, apart from bank holidays. The pre-school 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 provider and has taken that into account in her 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 The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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.

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

24 January 2023 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