Little Woodland Tribe @Ridgewell

Inspection of Little Woodland Tribe @Ridgewell Ridgewell C of E (Aided) Primary School, Church Lane, Ridgewell, HALSTEAD CO9 4SA

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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 warmly greeted and welcomed into this unique outdoor pre-school. The manager and her team have created an exciting, child-friendly, and inspiring environment in which children can learn. The team provide children with a broad curriculum that fully supports all areas of learning and the skills they need to develop independence for lifelong learning. The manager and her team are very committed and passionate about the potential for learning in an outdoor environment. They are knowledgeable of the children attending, attentive and nurturing. Therefore, children demonstrate they are very confident, feel safe and are comfortable in their care. They excitedly arrive, keen to explore, and leave their parents with ease.

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The provision is good

Staff create many invitations to learn. They understand the importance of building on what children already know and their interests. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of how to extend and develop children's next steps in their development. For example, children show increased fascination in bones and the skeletal remains of an owl. They have curious minds, ask lots of questions and recall information that they have previously learned. They compare the size of the skeleton with that of dinosaurs and make predications as to who has bigger bones. An effective key-person system is in place which means children and their parents have formed trusting and secure relationships.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide a language-rich environment. They model language well and engage children in running commentaries throughout activities. Children's speech and language development is good. They demonstrate a wide vocabulary and are confident speakers. For example, they excitedly find a spider dangling from a web. They are fascinated as to how this happened and ask questions as to what they need to do to help the spider. n Staff provide children with many opportunities to develop their literacy skills. Children can access a quiet cosy den to enjoy books. They sit on logs in groups to share stories and have immense fun as they participate in interactive stories and singing. They are encouraged to be aware of environmental sounds and have good listening skills. They explain to visitors to the setting about the 'Christmas' treasure hunt and how to match pictures they find in the wood among the trees, to those on their clip boards.

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need to do better?

n Children relish their time at pre-school. They have a strong sense of self. They understand the high expectations of the staff and their behaviour is very good. They are busy, inquisitive learners. They take responsibility and have the skills they need to be independent and make choices, for example, when they want to have a refreshment and snack. They are fully supported through activities and

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need to do better?

12 December 2023 learn to regulate their feelings and the consequences their actions have on others. They move with ease around the magical outdoor environment and know the importance of keeping themselves safe. They are caring and explain to visitors to the pre-school about the 'slippery' steps, remind one another about not picking plants or berries and understand the importance of wearing more clothes when they feel cold. n Children have formed close and positive bonds with their key person who know their children very well. Staff speak to children with genuine kindness and respect. While children learn in an outdoor environment, all activities are fully inclusive and are planned to ensure all children can participate. The special educational needs coordinator is knowledgeable of her role. She effectively engages with parents and other agencies involved with the children to ensure all children receive the support they need to make good progress.

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need to do better?

n The directors and the manager positively encourage and facilitate staff's continuous professional development. There is a culture of evaluation, and the manager is forward thinking and ambitious for the children and her team. Staff demonstrate they are very happy in their roles and enjoy their time at work. They feel fully supported in their own professional development and speak of feeling valued and their individual skills recognised. n Partnerships with parents are good. They describe the pre-school as 'fantastic' and how the experiences offered have enhanced their children's lives. They comment that every child is made to feel 'special'. Parents feel that their children have made good progress since attending pre-school and that the staff are approachable, friendly, and very supportive. Staff use effective monitoring and assessments to identify what children need to learn next, and they share these

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need to do better?

with parents. However, some parents say they would like more information about how learning takes place outdoors, and specific information or examples about how to promote learning further at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety and well-being is a priority. The manager and her team have a secure awareness of protecting children from potential risk. Robust risk assessments are completed daily and children's understanding of how to stay safe is embedded in daily practice. Staff have completed safeguarding training, which includes a wide range of child protection issues. They competently demonstrate their understanding of how to report any concerns. They are fully aware of possible signs or behaviours that may suggest children are worried or upset. Completion of a thorough recruitment, induction and mentoring programme means staff are very suitable for the role.

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should:

12 December 2023 n provide parents with more specific information about how their children are learning and ways in which they can support their child's learning at home to help them make even better progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2638893 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10308624 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 12 Number of children on roll 11 Name of registered person Springfields Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07803514005 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Woodland Tribe @ Ridgewell registered in 2021. The pre-school employs three members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including qualified teachers status. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 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 setting has 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 inspector and manager completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum and what the team wants the children to learn. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at the inspection n Parents provided the inspectors with written and verbal feedback. n A meeting was held between the inspector, managers and area manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and evidence of the suitability of staff members.

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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 December 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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