Sparkle Lodge Early Years

Inspection of Sparkle Lodge Early Years North End Baptist Church, 195 Powerscourt Road, Portsmouth PO2 7JH

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision requires improvement

Since the last inspection, there have been some improvements across the pre- school. Staff support children to learn about right and wrong and expected behaviours, such as sharing. For instance, children use sand timers to know when it is their turn. While the improvements made since the last inspection mean that outcomes for children have improved, there are still weaknesses in the quality of teaching. For example, support for children's communication and language is variable. Some staff talk to children calmly and use effective methods to encourage them to talk. However, other staff are less skilled in this area of teaching. For example, they ask questions in quick succession and do not give children the time they need to process their response. This does not support children's language development or enable them to recall and apply what they have previously learned.

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The provision requires improvement

The manager gains information from parents about the skills and knowledge their children already have when they start at the pre-school. Each child is allocated a key person who takes the lead role in overseeing their well-being, care and learning. However, the manager does not always ensure that parents are aware of the identity of their child's key person or that they are notified when there are changes to this role. For example, parents do not always know who to share information with about their child. This impacts on children's emotional development and sense of security.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the manager and staff team have significantly improved their safeguarding knowledge. They have accessed additional training to support them to develop their understanding of safeguarding procedures. The new deputy designated safeguarding lead is extremely knowledgeable. This has had a particularly positive impact on children's safety and welfare. n Children show that they are developing a love of stories. For instance, they sit in the cosy book area and enjoy looking at books and being read stories. However, at times, teaching is inconsistent. Staff engage with children as they take part in planned activities, such as painting. However, they often do not recognise opportunities to promote children's learning and development when they are playing independently. This does not support all children to make the progress that they are capable of. n In response to the last inspection, the manager and staff have recently had

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need to do better?

training related to managing behaviour. This has brought about some improvements. For example, children are learning to follow routines with some visual aids. This supports children to develop positive attitudes to learning. n Children's physical well-being and good health are promoted. Staff ensure that children are kept clean and dry throughout the day. Healthy snacks and meals

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need to do better?

13 July 2023 are provided, and staff encourage and support the children to eat their lunch. All children have access to outdoor play and physical activities. For instance, they enjoy taking part in regular active music and movement sessions. This has a positive impact on children's welfare. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The manager works in partnership with other agencies. Strategies are put in place to support children's development and secure the funding needed. For example, some children have one-to-one care to support them at pre-school. Children with SEND make good progress. n Parents share that they feel their children are happy. However, partnerships with parents are not good enough. Some parents are not informed of who their child's key person is or what their child's next steps in learning are. The key- person system is not effective. This does not help children to feel settled, nor

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need to do better?

does it help to build relationships with parents. This impacts on children's development. n The manager has termly supervision meetings with staff. They have provided staff with some training opportunities in response to actions raised at the last inspection. However, this is largely focused on safeguarding and fails to address weaknesses in the quality of education. For instance, staff do not receive tailored training that will help them to improve their teaching skills. As a result, they are not supported to gain the skills and knowledge required, and teaching is inconsistent. This impacts on the progress that children make, particularly in their communication and language development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff are trained in safeguarding and demonstrate a firm understanding of their role in keeping children safe. Staff are alert to signs that a child may be at risk of harm and know who to refer their concerns to. The designated safeguarding leads oversee safeguarding well. They are aware of reporting procedures, including allegations against staff. The environment is secure, clean and safe. Daily risk assessments are embedded. Staff-to-child ratios are met and maintained, and staff deploy themselves well in the environment. Recruitment is robust, and all those working at the nursery are suitably vetted.

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Due date

13 July 2023 improve the key-person system and arrangements to ensure that all parents know their child's key person and next steps in learning 03/08/2023

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Due date

improve the monitoring of staff practice and provide staff with effective coaching, training and support to raise the quality of teaching to a consistently good level 03/08/2023

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Due date

continue to develop the curriculum, in particular the approach to supporting children's communication and language skills. 03/08/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2657312 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 10285004 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 17 Name of registered person Jewell, Kara

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reference number

Telephone number 07739102762 Date of previous inspection 16 March 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Sparkle Lodge Early Years is located in North End, Portsmouth. The setting is open Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 3.15pm, term time only. The pre-school is in receipt of early years funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are seven staff who work with the children. Of these, three hold level 3 qualifications, and one holds a level 6 qualification.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued 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 The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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 July 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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