Lark Lane Family Pre-School

Inspection of Lark Lane Family Pre- School The Old Police Station, 80 Lark Lane, LIVERPOOL L17 8UU

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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

Children are happy and well settled at the pre-school. They separate from parents easily and are greeted by the lovely staff team. Staff know what children like and provide activities that interest and engage them. Overall, the curriculum is well- thought-out. Leaders consider children's experiences and provide opportunities that children would not otherwise get, such as gardening club. This helps to ensure that all children make progress across the seven areas of learning.

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The provision is good

Staff get to know children well. They form strong bonds with children and are alert to their unique care needs. For instance, staff recognise when children do not want to take part in group activities and offer one-to-one support in the continuous provision areas. This helps children to feel safe and secure at pre-school and promotes their emotional well-being.

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The provision is good

Staff support children to learn about the importance of sharing and taking turns. They implement rules and boundaries to help children understand what is expected of them. Children listen carefully and follow instructions well. They remind each other about 'working as a team' at tidy-up time. The pre-school is very calm, and children behave well.

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need to do better?

n On the whole, leaders plan a broad and balanced curriculum that prepares children for the next stage in their learning. They use children's next steps and interests to plan fun and enjoyable experiences. However, leaders do not always consider how to adapt the curriculum further for older and most-able children. This means that, on some occasions, this group of children's learning is not fully extended. n Leaders use additional funding, such as early years pupil premium, wisely to support the children it is intended for. Staff consider any gaps in children's learning and purchase additional resources to help them catch up. This helps to ensure that the attainment gaps between different groups of children are beginning to close. n Staff help children to learn about the things that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They provide healthy meals, snacks and daily exercise. Staff implement good hygiene procedures and talk to children about how to reduce the spread of

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need to do better?

germs. For instance, children know to ask for a new fork if theirs falls on the floor. This contributes to children's overall good health. n Children have a lovely attitude to learning. They eagerly join in with songs and ring games, skilfully remembering the words and actions. Children demonstrate good levels of patience while waiting for their turn. Older children concentrate intently as they work together to write letters on a whiteboard. They carefully

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need to do better?

30 January 2024 divide the board in half to ensure they both have space to write. Children are motivated and enthusiastic learners. n Staff promote children's mathematical development through everyday play. During sand and water activities, children explore measurement, capacity and size. Staff support children to predict how many jugs it will take to fill a larger vessel. Children use positional language, such as 'on top', 'under' and 'next to'. This helps children to develop their understanding of mathematical language and concepts. n Staff provide lots of opportunities for children to practise being independent. Children select their own snack, pour milk and use the water dispenser independently. They learn to line up for lunch and confidently carry their own plates back to the table. Children are developing some of the important skills they will need for their eventual move to school. n Parents are happy with the quality of care children receive. Staff collect

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need to do better?

information from parents about children's likes, dislikes and what they can already do when they first start. This helps them to understand children's individual needs. Parents attend open days each term and receive information about children's progress. However, not all parents receive information about children's next steps in between these meetings, or how they can extend these at home. This hinders the continuity in children's care and learning. n Leaders and the staff team work well together. Staff have supervision meetings each term and access some professional development opportunities that directly benefit children, such as speech and language training. However, leaders do not always provide staff with feedback which helps them to implement the curriculum intentions more precisely. Consequently, some activities do not build on children's existing knowledge.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n enhance the curriculum for older and most-able children to extend their skills and knowledge further n help all parents to understand their child's next steps and how they can extend these at home in an ongoing way n provide staff with more accurate feedback on their practice to help them implement leaders' curriculum intentions more precisely.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 322461 Local authority Liverpool Inspection number 10312021 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 29

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Name of registered person

St Michael's and Lark Lane Community Association

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reference number

Telephone number 0151 352 9180 Date of previous inspection 18 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Lark Lane Family Pre-School registered in 2002 and is situated in Liverpool. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm, during school term time only. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff, who hold qualifications at level 3 or above. It 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 pre-school. n The leaders joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at pre-school. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. 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

30 January 2024 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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