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Early years · Early years inspection (EIF)

Littleton Pre-school

Inspected 13 Mar 2024 · published 5 Jun 2024 · URN 511090

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Summary

Inadequate

Lindsay Osman

What we read, and from where

Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.

  • Group verified

    Littleton Pre-School Playgroup Committee

  • Group reference verified

    RP524469

  • Inspection date verified

    13 Mar 2024

  • Inspectors verified

    Lindsay Osman

  • Behaviour and attitudes verified

    Inadequate

  • Leadership and management verified

    Inadequate

  • Overall effectiveness verified

    Inadequate

  • Personal development verified

    Inadequate

  • Previous overall verified

    Good

  • Quality of education verified

    Inadequate

  • Postcode verified

    SO22 6QL

  • Name on report verified

    Littleton Pre-school

  • URN verified

    511090

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2018.

  • OverallInadequate
  • Behaviour and attitudesInadequate
  • Leadership and managementInadequate
  • Personal developmentInadequate
  • Quality of educationInadequate

5% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Inadequate (17,905 inspections).

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

−57Criticalmore positive than 19% of reports of this type graded Inadequate
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

In line with other reports of this type graded Inadequate.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praisesafepositivenurturingrobustprecise
Criticismnot alwaysnot effectivenot consistentlyweaknessespoorconcernsnot securenot positive

How the report reads, start to finish

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FindingsSafeguardingAbout the inspection positive critical
  • Findings688w−62
  • Safeguarding183w−21

Strengths

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Concerns

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Next steps

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What the report dwells on

Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.

Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
7
Words of findings
839
about usual (typical 972)
Reading level
Fairly hard
Flesch 56, typical 51
Average sentence
15 words
Next steps
3
typical 1
Hedged sentences
10%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 48%Safeguarding 13%About the inspection 39%

Full report text

Inspection of Littleton Pre-school The Hall Way, Littleton, WINCHESTER, Hampshire SO22 6QL

p.1

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Significant weaknesses in leadership and management at the pre-school affect children's safety and well-being.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

However, children arrive happily and separate from their parents with ease. They find their names and peg them on the rack in the main playroom and find an activity to take part in. Staff help children to settle and focus on their happiness.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Staff set up activities, including construction and writing areas. Children freely access the available resources. However, these do not link to next steps in the children's development.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children have a good understanding of routines. For example, they know they must put their shoes under their chairs at group time. They also return their cups and plates to the trolley after snack.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children have access to fresh air and exercise. They hold on to hoops and walk to the nearby mounds in the open area. Staff play games where children roll down the hills. However, staff do not complete checks prior to this to ensure that the area is safe.

p.2

need to do better?

n Designated safeguarding leads do not have a secure understanding of the procedures to follow if they have concerns about adults working with children. Committee members have not had checks completed to ensure their suitability. This does not safeguard children and has an impact on their personal development. n The committee does not have effective oversight of the pre-school. Although supervision takes place, this does not result in support or sustained improvement to the provision. Consequently, leadership and management are poor. n Management and staff do not implement effective health and safety procedures to protect children. For example, bananas are not always cut appropriately to prevent choking. Children are not consistently reminded of safety rules, such as walking in the building or carrying scissors safely. This does not create a safe environment for children. n Although staff have identified that some children's development is not where it

p.2

need to do better?

should be, referrals are not always made. In addition, staff do not put in place targeted plans to help the children progress. This does not ensure that children receive the support they need at the earliest opportunity. n Although the manager and staff know that children attend other settings, they

p.2

need to do better?

13 March 2024 do not always make contact with them or follow up if they receive no response. This does not ensure that the setting is safe and efficiently managed, and the needs of all children are met. n The manager does not have a secure understanding of how to plan a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Although staff provide a variety of activities and resources, these are not planned carefully enough to build on children's existing knowledge and skills. As a result, children do not make the progress they are capable of. n Staff do not consistently create an inclusive culture that is responsive to children's needs. For example, during some adult-led activities, staff do not include all of the children who want to join and show an interest in the play. At times, children ask repeatedly for a turn but are not invited to have one. This

p.2

need to do better?

leaves children discouraged and does not motivate them to learn. n Children help staff set the tables for meals. They excitedly announce to the group that it is time for snack. This helps to develop their confidence and independence. Children understand the need to wash their hands before snack time. They competently use the portable water dispenser complete with integrated soap. This helps children to understand the importance of healthy lifestyles. n Parents have positive relationships with staff and comment that they are nurturing. The manager and staff update the online platform with children's significant achievements. However, staff do not ensure that all parents are aware of their children's planned next steps in their development. This does not help parents to support their children's learning at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

ensure that the designated safeguarding leads have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding procedures and are able to fulfil their role 27/03/2024

p.3

Due date

13 March 2024 ensure that Ofsted is provided with the necessary information to carry out suitability checks on all members of the registered body 27/03/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure that the committee has sufficient oversight of the provision and provides appropriate support to managers and staff 27/03/2024

p.4

Due date

implement robust arrangements for risk assessment so that children are not exposed to risks 10/04/2024

p.4

Due date

develop knowledge and understanding of how to access sources of support, advice and assessment for children with SEND, in order to take swift action where appropriate and ensure that all children make the best possible progress 27/03/2024

p.4

Due date

develop partnership working with other settings that children attend, to support continuity and consistency in children's learning 27/03/2024

p.4

Due date

improve planning and assessment to ensure that children's next steps in their development are precise and teaching meets the needs of all children. 27/03/2024

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 511090 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10317280 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person Littleton Pre-School Playgroup Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07765 916 006 Date of previous inspection 16 May 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Littleton Pre-school registered in 1992. It operates from Littleton Memorial Hall in Littleton, near Winchester. The pre-school opens during term time. It operates Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8.30am to 3pm and Friday from 9am to 12.15pm. The pre-school employs five members of staff, four of whom have relevant early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.5

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 provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

p.6

Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

13 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.6

Inspection activities

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p.7

Inspection activities

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p.7

Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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

p.7

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