Little Creators Pre School

Inspection of Little Creators Pre School Highbury Community Association, Highbury Community Centre, Hawthorn Crescent, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 2TL

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive happy and thoroughly enjoy their time at the pre-school. They develop secure relationships with staff and their peers. Children are kind and show care towards each other. For example, staff encourage the children to help each other to get ready to go outside. Children form secure attachments with staff as they seek comfort when upset and regularly invite them to join their play. This demonstrates that children feel safe and secure.

p.2

The provision is good

The manager and staff provide the children with valuable experiences to learn about their community and the wider world around them. For instance, children go on regular trips to the park and nearby shops. This provides children with hands-on experiences to prepare them for the future. For example, in addition to learning how to manage money, these outings help children to learn about road safety. Staff also plan trips to introduce new experiences and extend children's learning. For instance, they take children on public transport and visit the zoo.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children. They encourage them to be independent with self-care tasks, such as handwashing and wiping their own noses. Staff are positive role models. For example, when children struggle to regulate their behaviour, staff are quick to intervene and support them. Children are supported to play cooperatively together. For instance, they learn to take turns and share with their friends. This supports children to behave well.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff at the pre-school feel well supported. They benefit from regular supervision that prioritises their well-being and ongoing professional development. The manager and deputy manager carefully consider where they can improve and show great determination to achieve the highest possible standards. The manager and the staff team have opportunities to meet regularly to evaluate the pre-school. This helps to promote the continuous improvement of the pre- school. n The manager and staff know the children extremely well. Children benefit from an interesting and well-balanced learning environment. The manager and staff use additional funding appropriately to enhance children's learning and development. For example, they have used funding to develop a sensory area, which provides children with a calm and nurturing space. The manager confidently articulates what she wants each child to learn during their time at

p.2

need to do better?

the pre-school. However, staff are less clear about the overarching aims of the curriculum. This means that their teaching is not always focused precisely on what they want children to learn. n Partnerships with parents are a strength of the pre-school. The manager and

p.2

need to do better?

26 March 2024 staff form excellent relationships and support the children and families extremely well. Staff share details with the parents about their child's day and provide information to help parents to support their children's learning at home. n The passionate manager, who is also the special educational needs coordinator (SENCo), makes timely referrals and works closely with parents and outside agencies. The manager has put detailed, targeted plans in place for all children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These are used effectively by staff during focused activities. However, these are not used as well during free play. This means that children with SEND are not consistently supported to make the best possible progress. n Children develop a love of stories. For instance, they select books of interest and enjoy being read to as they snuggle up with staff. Staff make story times fully

p.2

need to do better?

interactive, inviting children to finish off familiar phrases. This helps children to gain an understanding of early literacy. n Most of the time, staff manage daily routines well. However, on occasion, they do not fully support the needs of all children during mealtime routines. For example, when children have finished their lunch, some children get up from the table and wander around the room without anything to do. This has an impact on children's engagement and behaviour during these times. This does not consistently support children's learning and development. n Children enjoy being physically active in their play. For instance, they enjoy riding and washing the bicycles. The outside space inspires children to explore and use their imaginations. For example, children enjoy using resources to create their own bus. Staff join in with the children and use this as an opportunity to extend the children's vocabulary. For instance, they discuss what

p.3

need to do better?

it is like going on a bus and sing songs together.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n build on staff's knowledge of the curriculum intent so that they are clear about the skills and knowledge they want children to gain during their time at the pre- school n support staff to embed strategies consistently, to better support children with SEND n strengthen strategies used to manage daily routines, to ensure that children's individual needs continue to be met at all times.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2731801 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 10336246 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 15 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person McCrohon, Paige

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07549292489 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Creators Pre School registered in 2023 and is based in Cosham, Portsmouth. It is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am to 4pm. The pre-school employs six members of staff who work with the children. Of these, two hold relevant qualifications at level 6, and two hold qualifications at level 3. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 manager and the inspector had a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with 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 SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact 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

p.5

Inspection activities

their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the pre-school. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

26 March 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6