Little Stars Pre-school

Inspection of Little Stars Pre-school Scoutlands, 20 Evelegh Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1DL

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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 arrive at the pre-school happy and tell their parents how excited they are to come and play. Practitioners greet children in the playground and welcome them with smiles and reassurance. They offer cuddles and comfort to all children, especially those who are still settling in. Children feel safe and secure. They cheerily wave goodbye to their families and independently find their names for self- registration. Enthusiastic practitioners ask children about their holidays and talk to them about the different activities that are available today. Children quickly become absorbed in exploring paints and play dough.

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The provision is good

Leaders have high expectations for children's learning. They design an ambitious curriculum that builds on children's interests. Practitioners use this to create activities that motivate children to think for themselves. For example, they support children to consider their responsibilities in the world they live in. During a water play activity, children work hard to carefully scoop the rubbish from the 'sea' and rescue the toy animals with nets. Practitioners encourage children to consider the importance of putting litter in the bin. Children engage enthusiastically in their learning.

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need to do better?

n Children enjoy an array of books and see print throughout the day. Practitioners read enthusiastically to inspire children's love of reading. For example, children giggle with delight when practitioners shout 'help' on the crocodile page of their story. Practitioners also implement activities that are focused on the sounds of different letters, which children enjoy and interact with well. Older children easily name words that link with the sound they are discussing. Children gain important literacy skills to promote their future learning. n The special educational needs coordinator has a comprehensive understanding of her role. She works closely with children, families and other professionals to ensure that children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities have an appropriate referral made, if necessary. Practitioners support children in achieving the best outcomes. n Children are confident and independent. They enjoy choosing their activities and

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need to do better?

explain how much they enjoy making their own play dough. Children know to wash their hands before mealtimes and explain the importance of wearing hats in the sun. Practitioners remind children about the benefits of drinking water, especially in the hot weather. Children are learning about how to lead a healthy lifestyle. n Practitioners teach children about the importance of respect for one another. They carefully model how to share toys and how to help each other, for example, when a block tower gets knocked over. However, rules and

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need to do better?

5 September 2023 expectations are not always fully explained to children. Practitioners do not consistently address this to support children's understanding. Through this, rules are not fully understood by children and are not followed. n Children benefit from activities and equipment that have been arranged to promote their physical skills. During outdoor play, children learn how to throw and catch large balls. Practitioners offer children plenty of praise as they try hard to throw the basketball through the hoop. n Parents explain they are pleased with the communication they receive. They feel informed about their children's time at the pre-school. However, when children first start at the pre-school, practitioners do not always gather information to support them in their assessment of children's stage of development. As a result, knowledge about children's progress and learning is occasionally inconsistent.

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need to do better?

n Practitioners are sensitive and respectful in their approach to children's care routines. They ask children kindly if they can change their nappies. Practitioners chat to them happily about their activities and ask them how they are feeling today. Children's emotional well-being is promoted particularly well. n Leaders provide an abundance of training opportunities. They encourage practitioners to frequently engage in courses that interest them to build on their professional development. Leaders also use supervisions and observations of practitioners effectively, to improve the quality of teaching.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have a clear understanding of how to ensure the safety and welfare of children. They ensure that all practitioners regularly complete mandatory training. This covers all aspects of safeguarding, such as female genital mutilation and the Prevent duty. Practitioners complete further training around subjects such as fabricated illness to broaden their knowledge even further. Practitioners are confident about what to do if they ever have a concern about an adult working with children. They understand the correct local authority reporting procedure to follow, if they believe a child has become victim of abuse.

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should:

n strengthen how practitioners explain and implement pre-school rules, so they can be fully understood by children n build on how information is gathered about children's starting points to support their future learning effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY337877 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 10285772 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Mengham, Joanne Carole

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reference number

Telephone number 07956162575 Date of previous inspection 18 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stars Pre-school registered in 2006 and is located in Farlington, Portsmouth. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 4 and three hold a qualification at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term-time only. Sessions are from 8am to 3pm. 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 provider. n Leaders and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to practitioners at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector. n The inspector observed the interactions between practitioners and children.

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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

5 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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