Little Alpacas Ltd

Inspection of Little Alpacas Ltd Scamhazel Farm, Ashby Road, Boundary, Swadlincote DE11 7BA

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are developing a keen interest in the natural world. They enjoy going on daily walks around the farm, where the pre-school is located, to see the different animals and insects. Staff encourage the children to share what they know about the animals and insects that they encounter. Children confidently recall the names of the animals. They know what different animals like to eat, that chickens lay eggs and that ants have six legs.

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The provision is good

Staff introduce new information to the children. They watch as a farm worker sprays a donkey's ears. Staff explain to the children that the donkey is having fly spray put on to keep the flies away. The children later see a horse that has a lot of flies around it. They comment that the horse is shaking its head and flicking its tail to keep the flies away. The children recall that there is a special spray that could help the horse. While on walks, the staff encourage the children to remember the rules that are in place to help keep them safe on the farm. Children understand that they need to listen to, and follow, instructions. They need to hold hands and stay in between the staff in case they come across farm vehicles or farm staff moving a herd of animals while on their walks.

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need to do better?

n Staff get to know the children in their care well. They use information gained from parents, and from observations of children, to find out children's individual development and interests. They include children's interests to plan for their next steps in learning. Staff have a clear vision for what they want children to learn from the curriculum. They focus on supporting children to have the skills they need for the next stage in their learning, including their eventual move to school. n Parents say that their children enjoy attending the pre-school. They value the friendly staff and say that they are confident that their children are happy, safe and well cared for. Parents comment that they are very well informed about the time their child spends at the pre-school and how their child is developing. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to provide targeted

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need to do better?

support that helps individual children make progress. n Staff are consistent in using praise and encouragement to effectively support children's good behaviour. They recognise that some children struggle to regulate their emotions. Staff speak to children with respect and encourage them to express how they are feeling. With support, children learn how to resolve conflict and recognise the impact that their behaviour may have on others. n Staff comment that they enjoy working at the pre-school. They have regular

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need to do better?

8 September 2023 supervision and receive feedback on their practice. Robust recruitment procedures are in place to ensure that all staff employed to work with children are suitable to do so. However, the current arrangements for the induction of new staff are not sufficient enough to ensure that they fully understand their role and responsibilities. n Overall, staff promote children's communication and language well. They ask children questions to gain information about children's prior knowledge and understanding. Children are keen to share their knowledge and experiences with staff. However, staff do not maximise opportunities that arise during their interactions with children to extend children's communication skills further. When children do not respond to questions asked of them, staff do not consistently provide the children with the answer. n Staff support children to develop good hygiene practices. They explain to

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need to do better?

children why they need to wash their hands after petting animals. Children concentrate and focus well as they clean dirt off pictures of teeth using toothpaste and a toothbrush. Staff talk to children about the importance of oral hygiene and why they need to brush their teeth. n Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their creative skills. Children explore the texture of paint with their hands. They make marks with their fingers on the paper and use toy dinosaurs and cars to create different marks and patterns with the paint. As the children paint, they practise the control that they will eventually need for early writing.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the need to protect children and keep them safe. They ensure that any concerns about a child's well-being are documented and reported to the designated safeguarding lead. Parents are provided with information about the importance of online safety to help keep children safe when accessing online sites at home. Staff know how to follow the whistle-blowing policy should they be concerned about the behaviour or conduct of another staff member. Staff complete risk assessments to help minimise potential hazards and ensure that the environment is safe for children.

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should:

n strengthen the induction arrangements to ensure that staff that are new to the pre-school understand their roles and responsibilities n engage children more effectively in conversations and extend their communication and language skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2674966 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10307430 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 40 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Little Alpacas Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07815825151 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Alpacas Ltd registered in 2022 and is located in Boundary, Leicestershire. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday all year round from 9am to 3pm. It closes for two weeks at Christmas and for all public holidays. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3 and one holds a level 2. The pre-school 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 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 setting. n The provider 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 carried out joint observations of group activities with the provider. 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 Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the pre- school. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views about the pre-school with the inspector. n The provider showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability

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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

8 September 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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