Smiley Centre For Children

Inspection of Smiley Centre For Children The Salvation Army, Glendale Gardens, Leigh On Sea SS9 2AR

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 arrive happy and eager to learn at this community-inspired pre-school. Families socialise in the communal café as children eagerly await the start of their day. Children are warmly greeted by enthusiastic adults who tell children about the exciting day ahead. Children quickly become engaged in a range of interesting activities that have been planned to meet their talents and interests. For example, they show deep enjoyment as they make their own superhero masks. They chat together excitedly about their favourite superheroes and the special powers they hold.

p.2

The provision is good

Children benefit from access to fresh air and physical play outdoors. They show increasing skills as they balance securely in rope swings, laughing together as they swing back and forth. Children remember to take care when swinging to avoid bumping into their friends. They develop a secure awareness of risk as they climb trees and balance on logs. Children show immense kindness to their peers. They show patience, tolerance and respect for others during their play. A bug hunt provides curiosity and wonder as children dig in the mud for worms. They remember that they must handle them with care and be kind to living things.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders have constructed a curriculum that supports children to make progress across the seven areas of learning. Staff have a good knowledge of the children and use this to plan activities that broaden and deepen their knowledge. For example, children use tweezers to pick up pom-poms, naming their colour and size. However, staff do not always plan well enough for them to achieve their intended outcome. For example, adults want children to learn about the parts of a flower but do not have enough knowledge to answer children's questions. n Children are supported well to develop emotional well-being. For example, children name emotions such as 'happy' and 'frustrated' throughout the day. Children are developing confidence. Adults place a high priority on building children's self-esteem. For instance, they praise them for trying hard and celebrate children's achievements. Children share experiences with their peers

p.2

need to do better?

and adults during group sessions. They express their wants, needs and feelings with growing confidence. n Communication and language are a key priority in the setting. Adults use their skill and knowledge to provide environments that support children's growing vocabulary. Children enjoy listening to much-loved stories in the 'communication-friendly' den. They benefit from language-rich interactions as they engage in back-and-forth chat with adults. Leaders work with the local authority to assess children's communication and language development. They devise clear targets for children who may be at risk of falling behind. Children

p.2

need to do better?

25 April 2023 who speak English as an additional language are supported effectively to become proficient in the use of English. n Children behave well. They understand expectations for behaviour and follow the 'Smiley rules'. Children show positive attitudes to learning. They spend prolonged periods of time at activities such as searching for bugs in the garden and making masks. The environments provide plenty of opportunities to solve problems and think critically. For example, they build bridges for cars, working out how high they need to be to enable the cars to pass through. n Effective partnerships support children to make the best progress. Staff have developed excellent relationships with parents through a shared approach to children's learning. For example, staff carry out home visits to develop initial bonds with families. An ongoing, supportive and collaborative approach means that staff can personalise learning to meet children's individual needs. Leaders

p.2

need to do better?

signpost parents to support groups in the church and organise information events, such as 'eating well for less'. Regular assessment identifies what children know and can do. However, leaders do not capture enough information about what children can do when they join the pre-school. This means that children's starting points are not used to inform teaching when they first join.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders take appropriate steps to keep children safe. A wide range of safety checks are carried out to ensure the premises and equipment are safe. The pre-school has secure entry, and visitors are required to sign in. All staff receive regular training in relation to safeguarding. They demonstrate a secure knowledge of the different types of abuse and the associated indicators. Leaders ensure that all staff are confident in raising concerns. Staff are clear about their responsibility to take swift action. Robust safeguarding policies and practice are securely embedded, including the safe recruitment of staff. The pre-school is further supported by The Salvation Army in safeguarding matters.

p.3

should:

n support staff to develop their planning preparation, enabling them to extend children's learning effectively n improve the identification of children's starting points in learning when they first join the setting.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY487003 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10280799 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 40 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Salvation Army Trustee Company (The)

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01702 478092 Date of previous inspection 6 September 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Smiley Centre For Children registered in 2015. It is located on the Salvation Army church premises in Leigh-on-Sea. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold an early years qualification at level 6, one at level 3 and two at level 2. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 3.15pm. 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 their evaluation of the provider. n The deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the 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. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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

25 April 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