Little Wonders Pre-School

Inspection of Little Wonders Pre- School 2-4 Guild Close, Birmingham B16 8EL

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Staff know children well at this pre-school. They build strong relationships with families and learn about children's individual circumstances. Children are greeted on arrival and enter the pre-school with a smile.

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The provision is good

Children learn about their senses through carefully chosen activities. They show interest in the exciting materials on offer and are keen to join in. They use cornflour, water and food colouring to discover what happens when these are mixed together. Children independently take some materials and place them in a bowl. Staff ask questions that encourage children to think about the colours they are making and how the consistency of the materials has changed. They provide children with scented liquids to add, and they ask them what they can smell. Children recall familiar smells and suggest that the liquid smells of pears.

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The provision is good

Outdoors, children use chalks to make marks on the ground. Staff support children to develop their fine motor skills as they role model making different-sized shapes and lines on the floor, which children copy. Children are keen to draw around themselves and adults and discover the differences in the size of the shapes they have made. Staff understand the importance of children having opportunities to develop their large muscles during outdoor play and provide them with ride-on vehicles. They ensure children have sufficient space to practise these skills.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and the manager have designed a curriculum that is ambitious for all children. They have introduced a focus specifically on using books as part of their curriculum to support children's learning. They understand what children need to learn and help them to develop a love of books. Staff plan storytelling sessions, which further reinforces their curriculum. This is evident as children talk about books they have previously read, while engaging in play. n Children behave well. Strategies have been put in place to promote positive behaviour, and children are beginning to learn what is expected of them. They are reminded of the rules they should follow both indoors and outdoors. n Children learn to be good communicators. Leaders and staff prioritise the development of children's communication and language. They regularly sing songs to children and extend their vocabulary as they describe the activities they

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need to do better?

are taking part in. This helps children to make good progress. n Changes have been made to the key-person system since the last inspection. Children are now based with their key person throughout the day and develop strong bonds with them. Key persons build positive relationships with the parents of their key children. This helps to continuously meet children's needs. n Staff engage in regular professional development opportunities. Leaders observe

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need to do better?

8 December 2023 practice across the pre-school, and staff have access to online training modules. However, this is not always refined to focus specifically on the areas of teaching that staff need to develop further. For example, some staff remind children of behaviour rules, such as using 'walking feet', when they are already walking. Others are not able to break down what it is that children need to learn next, or understand why certain next steps are in place for some children. This results in some inconsistent practice across the pre-school. n Parents are generally happy about the care their children receive. They comment that children are happy to attend and say that staff are friendly. Leaders and staff plan workshops for parents and provide opportunities for them to be involved in their children's experiences in the pre-school. However, some parents comment that they do not receive regular information about their children's

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need to do better?

development or the progress they are making. This does not help parents to support children's learning in the home. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The special educational needs coordinator, although new in her role, is knowledgeable about children's development. She supports staff to identify gaps in children's development and helps them to create suitable support plans. She liaises with external agencies to obtain advice about how to support children's learning further. This means children with SEND make good progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff have extensive knowledge of the local area. They find out about the challenges facing the families they work with and actively seek out information about services that will support them. This helps to keep children safe. Leaders and staff are observant in identifying signs that may mean a child is at risk of harm. They follow appropriate procedures when concerns arise. Staff recognise hazards in the environment and take action to ensure children are safe. Leaders carry out risk assessments when planning to take children out into their local community. They teach children to identify risks when on outings. This helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe.

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should:

n target future professional development opportunities in order to help to refine and enhance staff teaching skills more precisely n develop ways in which information is provided for parents, specifically in relation to children's development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2624616 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10303934 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 40 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person West Smethwick Enterprise

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reference number

Telephone number 01213030334 Date of previous inspection 20 June 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Little Wonders Pre-School registered in 2021 and operates in Ladywood, Birmingham. The setting opens Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 3pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are eight members of staff, six of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 3 to level 5.

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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 and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. 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

8 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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