Little Jax PreSchool

Inspection of Little Jax PreSchool Headley Drive, Epsom, Surrey KT18 5RP

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and eager to start their day at this friendly pre-school. Staff plan individualised settling-in procedures for new starters. This allows children to begin to become familiar with the pre-school environment and their key person. Staff are knowledgeable and give children practical and emotional support. This helps to build trusting bonds with the staff and to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Staff plan an ambitious curriculum, they focus sharply on children's communication and language. They narrate everything they do and repeat key words and phrases to children. For instance, while young children explore the small-world figures, staff use simple words, such as up and down. Children excitedly join in with the words and the actions as they sing 'The Wheels on the Bus'. Staff support older children in their imaginative play and introduce new vocabulary. They discuss the different colours with the children, such as 'lilac', as they paint on cardboard boxes. This supports the children in becoming confident communicators.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. They are positive role models. Staff gently remind children to use their manners and give them time to negotiate sharing resources. This helps children to manage their behaviour and develop kind friendships. Children's behaviour is good; they treat each other with consideration and respect.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the manager and staff have worked hard to develop a well-sequenced curriculum, with a particular focus on children's personal, social and emotional development. Staff know what the children are working towards and can speak about the progress that they have made in specific areas of learning. However, occasionally, the curriculum on offer is not ambitious enough to fully support the oldest children in their learning. n Children are supported well to develop a love of books. Storytelling is used to extend children's language as they talk about what words mean and expand their vocabulary. Staff are skilled at capturing children's interest in stories. Children listen intently as staff bring characters alive. Staff encourage children to make predictions about what will happen next. Children are confident at repeating the familiar phrases. This helps prepare children well for the skills they

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need to do better?

need for school. n Staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to be active and to develop their strength and stamina. For example, children roll tyres and balance on the logs in the garden. Staff encourage children to have a go, this helps children develop their confidence in their physical development. n Children are helpful, and staff encourage them to be friendly and kind. Staff

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need to do better?

12 September 2023 teach children the routines and the importance of hygiene. For example, they help clean the table before snack and wash their hands. This helps children to understand healthy practices. n Staff work very well together as part of a team to support children's behaviour. They use strategies that are individual to the child. Staff use advice and support from professionals to plan specific support for children. They quickly identify children who struggle with their emotions and offer reassuring support. Children respond extremely well and settle back into their chosen play. n The support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is strong and consistent. The special educational needs and/or disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) works closely with parents and outside agencies. She gathers in-depth information from parents and other professional to provide targeted support at the earliest opportunity. This means that children

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need to do better?

with SEND are making good levels of progress from their starting points. n Self-evaluation is accurate and identifies areas for the manager to develop further. A good programme of supervision and training develops the practice and knowledge of staff. However, there is scope to sharpen processes to help individuals improve their teaching skills and practice to a consistently high level, such as through peer observations and feedback. n The manager has considered ways to help keep children safe. She has reviewed and made changes to the risk assessment for the garden. For example, fences are secure, and staff ensure that gates are locked. Staff keep children under close supervision as they play in the garden.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good awareness of their safeguarding responsibilities and understand their duty to keep children safe and protected from harm. Staff are aware of who to report concerns to about children's welfare, both within the setting and to the local authority. They have completed appropriate safeguarding training, and information is provided on a regular basis to keep everyone's knowledge up to date. Staff know how to keep children safe and have a secure knowledge of indicators to identify possible abuse. They are vigilant and perform risk assessments to keep the premises safe and secure.

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should:

n strengthen the curriculum to ensure that it is even more ambitious to extend children's critical thinking, particularly for the oldest children n develop systems to sharpen processes to help individuals improve their teaching skills and practice to a consistently high level, such as through peer observations

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY445850 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10259351 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Jackson, Jacqueline Constance

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reference number

Telephone number 07788 805766 Date of previous inspection 26 September 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Little Jax PreSchool registered in 2012. It is located in Epsom Downs, Surrey. The pre-school operates Monday to Thursday, from 9.15am to 12.30pm, with a lunch club to 2.15pm. There are eight staff members, including the manager. The manager holds early years professional status, another member of staff is qualified to level 5, five members of staff are qualified to level 3. The setting is in receipt of funding for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 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 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 manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. 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

12 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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