Little Gems Pre-school

Inspection of Little Gems Pre-school St. Winefrides RC Aided Primary School, Mellock Lane, Little Neston, Neston, Merseyside CH64 9RW

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Staff eagerly invite children into the warm and welcoming pre-school. Children arrive happy, confident and emotionally secure. They thrive from the routine that staff have created. Staff guide children to independently hang up their coats, find their name card and sit on the mat. Children wait patiently to hear what is planned for their day.

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The provision is good

Staff take an interest in children's views and give them the time to express their feelings and emotions. They are great role models and have a calm and caring nature towards children. Consequently, children play together, respect one another and are happy to help their friends. For instance, older children carry out tasks that younger children need support with, such as writing their name and zipping up their coats. Children work together at tidy-up time and follow instructions that are given to them. This helps children learn positive behaviour. Staff share their ideas and have created a stimulating and inviting learning environment. They provide children with additional resources that help to spark their imagination and extend their ideas. Children demonstrate an eagerness to explore and learn more. This helps them to make good progress.

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need to do better?

n Staff attend regular meetings, discuss what is working well and identify areas for future developments. They also attend additional training to develop their knowledge. They feel very well supported by the manager. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities and have a shared vision. They demonstrate a great passion in providing the best learning experiences to help children make the best possible progress. n Staff have created an ambitious curriculum that is focused on what they already know about children and what they want them to learn next. This is paired with staff's good knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. For example, children practise their cutting skills, manipulate dough and hold different sized pens to draw on a small and large scale. This helps to strengthen children's fine motor skills. children display impressive pen control and coordination, which enhances their physical development.

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need to do better?

n Staff interact well with children and are readily available to provide any support and guidance that is needed. However, this is less effective during some adult- led activities and group times. Occasionally, staff do not fully consider the organisation as well as they could. This results in some activities not suiting the differing needs and abilities of all the children involved. n Staff provide parents with regular updates of their children's day via an electronic communication app and through brief daily chats. This informs parents of what things their children have been doing throughout the day. However,

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need to do better?

4 December 2023 there is less consistency in providing parents with information about how they can further support their children's individual learning at home. This does not fully support children's continuity in learning, specifically with their next steps. n Children benefit from spending time outdoors. They enjoy singing songs and moving their bodies in the spacious outdoor area. Staff provide children with bottles of bubbles and encourage them to blow and watch them float in the air. Furthermore, staff take children on adventures into the nearby woodland area. This helps to promote children's physical skills and exploration of nature. n Children are aware of the importance of carrying out good hygiene procedures and being healthy. For example, they wash their hands before eating and access their own pack lunch. During mealtimes, staff sit with children and prompt them to eat healthy foods before treats. This promotes children's understanding of the

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need to do better?

benefits of making healthy food choices and leading a healthy lifestyle.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff carry out regular checks in the environment to ensure that it is safe for children and they explain to children the importance for doing this. For example, children know that the rain makes the floor slippery. They also know that staff need to take the registers in case there is a fire. Staff are clear about the procedures to follow if they have any concerns regarding staff conduct or children's welfare. They understand the importance of gathering clear and concise information. All staff carry out first-aid training. They also attend training so they can use specific equipment, such as a defibrillator. This helps to promote children's health and well- being.

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should:

n review the organisation of adult-led activities and group times to ensure that they suit the different abilities and needs of all the children that are involved n strengthen the good communication with parents so the information shared is more specific to children's individual needs to fully support their next steps and learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY295341 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10307860 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 24 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person Smith, Joanne Honora

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reference number

Telephone number 07789 990098 Date of previous inspection 13 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Little Gems Pre-school registered in 2004. It is located in Little Neston, Cheshire. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. All of whom have an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9am to 3.30pm. The pre-school offers funded early years education to two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre-school. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 inspector carried out joint observations of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the 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

4 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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