Lakenheath Little Fishes

Inspection of Lakenheath Little Fishes Lakenheath Sports Pavilion, Eriswell Road, Lakenheath, BRANDON, Suffolk IP27 9AF

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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 confident and very happy. Prior to starting at the setting, they watch a video of a story read by their key person and are shown photos of the hall. This makes it easier for the children when they begin attending. Children know the daily routines and participate in a morning song. They laugh and enjoy the moment as they dance with their friends. Staff are very welcoming and explain the activities on offer so that children make independent choices to select where to play. Children are curious, eager to learn and ask lots of questions.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy being in the garden. They have fun breaking the ice in a water tray to find the play sea creatures frozen beneath it. They demonstrate their ability to take turns as they patiently wait. Children enthusiastically join in with a game of 'What's the time, Mr Wolf?', laughing as they run away.

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The provision is good

Children are very kind and considerate. They behave very well. They have close bonds with staff, especially their key person, who they go to for a cuddle. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are very well supported. Key staff are allocated to ensure that their needs are fully met and they get the most out of their sessions. Children's well-being is at the heart of the setting. Staff value children's contributions and praise children to build further on their self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n Staff have high expectations for all children. They plan an exciting curriculum that builds on what children already know and captures their interests. Children are grouped by age, and the resources and activities are tailored to meet their differing needs. n Staff focus on developing children's speech. Children in need of more support are identified and staff are quick to respond by developing tools to assist them. Each child has a box containing resources for them to use to strengthen the muscles in their mouths. This helps them to make the variety of speech sounds needed to pronounce words. n Staff include children in daily tasks, such as cleaning the table and sweeping the floor, which they take great pride in. Staff enable children to respond to their own needs. For example, children take a tissue to blow their nose and understand the need to use antibacterial gel on their hands to remove the germs

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need to do better?

after using it. n Children's physical development is well planned for. Staff give children many opportunities to practise and extend their skills. Every morning, children take their play dough and join in with a song. They pull and stretch the dough in time to the music, having lots of fun. This helps to develop their hand muscles in preparation for early writing.

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need to do better?

23 January 2023 n Staff introduce mathematical concepts in children's play. During a 'noodle' activity, staff help children to compare the length of different noodles. Staff support the children to problem-solve and decide when their noodle pot is full. The children spend a long time fully engaged in the activity. They enjoy filling and emptying their containers, using utensils such as tongs. n There are times, however, when the routines of the day disrupt children's engagement. For example, children are asked to stop their play to move on to an adult-led activity, such as story time. This means that they do not always have the opportunity to finish their chosen activity. n The manager values staff's opinions, and decisions are made together. As a result, staff work very well as a team and share the same vision for children's learning. As a team, staff reflect on the things that work well and identify where

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need to do better?

improvements are still needed, demonstrating their commitment to good practice. The manager has effective systems to review staff's training and ensure their knowledge and skills remain up to date. Staff have a good transition process in place with the local school and work well alongside other professionals. n Partnerships with parents are good. Staff send home small projects for children to do with their families. They ask children to bring in items from home to show others. Families participate well. Some parents are farmers and they bring their lambs to show the children. The children are involved in the local community and join in with events.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have attended child protection training and can demonstrate that they have the knowledge to recognise the signs of potential abuse and neglect. The setting has a policy and information for staff to refer to should they need to make a referral. Staff are vigilant and know they have a responsibility to report any concerning behaviour from staff. Children's safety is paramount both inside and outside. Staff carry out risk assessments to ensure the play areas are safe for children. Staff recruitment is effective and ensures that all staff are suitable and remain suitable to work with children.

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should:

n review and enhance the daily routines so that children are given time to finish their self-chosen play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251561 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10263310 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 40 Number of children on roll 57 Name of registered person Lakenheath Little Fishes Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07544579001 Date of previous inspection 27 April 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Lakenheath Little Fishes registered in 1989. The setting employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 2pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 provider and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum and what it is they want children to learn. 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 provider and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to children during the inspection. 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

23 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.

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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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