Lets Play Pre-School

Inspection of Lets Play Pre-School Three Bridges Community Centre, Gales Place, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 1QG

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Weaknesses in the designated safeguarding leads' knowledge compromise children's well-being. Leaders do not understand their responsibilities regarding allegation management. This does not assure children's safety.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite these weaknesses, leaders and staff support children's learning well and provide a broad and balanced curriculum. Children enjoy a range of experiences which motivate them to learn. For example, children work together in the 'building site' construction area. Staff develop children's knowledge and understanding by encouraging them to talk about what they are using to fix their bricks together as they build.

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The provision is inadequate

Leaders and staff promote children's communication and language skills well. They impart new vocabulary at every opportunity. During a sensory cornflour experience, children quickly repeat the words they have heard. They say, 'It's going solid again. Get the solid bits.' They play excitedly together, exploring with their fingers, splashing the white substance.

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The provision is inadequate

Leaders and staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. On occasion, when children struggle to share, staff sensitively step in to support them in their play. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n Safeguarding is not effective. Designated safeguarding leads have insufficient knowledge to fulfil their roles and responsibilities regarding the suitability of adults working with the children. They are unaware of the process to follow if an allegation is made against an individual. In addition, there is not a robust system in place to ensure staff's ongoing suitability. For example, leaders do not have arrangements in place to ensure staff are aware of when to disclose any changes to their circumstances. This impacts children's personal development as leaders do not have a secure understanding of how to implement procedures to protect them from the risk of harm. n Staff report that they feel supported in their roles. They work well together and deployment is good. Staff communicate effectively as a team. This helps to provide consistent care and support for children's needs. Leaders monitor staff

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need to do better?

performance through supervision, and staff access training opportunities. This helps to ensure they update their skills. n Leaders greet the children and parents warmly on arrival. All staff know the children very well. They offer cuddles and reassurance if children feel a little

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need to do better?

18 June 2024 unsure. This helps to build on their attachment and sense of belonging. Staff give informative handovers, telling parents what the children have been doing. They give them ideas which help to build on their children's learning and development at home. n The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) attends regular training to update their skills and knowledge. They share this information with the team. This helps to ensure all staff are as skilled as possible to meet the needs of the children. The SENCo carries out observations on the children. This enables them to take action so that children receive support at the earliest opportunity. They work effectively with other agencies to ensure children receive specific support. n Overall, the daily routine for the pre-school is very good. Children engage in exciting activities carefully designed by the staff team. However, on occasion, during adult-led group times, the group is too large and staff cannot give some

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need to do better?

of the younger children the attention they need. Consequently, younger children lose interest and do not fully benefit from the intended learning. n Children develop their physical skills as staff plan a wide range of activities to encourage them to be active. For example, they strengthen their large-muscle skills as they climb on the outside equipment and competently go up and down the slide. They develop their small-muscle skills as they paint and play with the toy cars. This helps children to make good progress in their physical development. n Staff help children to develop positive attitudes to learning and to persevere in their play. They set up activities designed to encourage children to concentrate. For example, children carefully balance on the 'stepping stones' and show a sense of achievement when they make it to the end and then start again. n Staff encourage children to wash their hands before food and after visiting the

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need to do better?

toilet. They provide healthy snacks and support the children to pour their own water or milk. This helps children to learn about the importance of leading healthy lifestyles and builds on their independence skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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Due date

18 June 2024 ensure the designated safeguarding leads have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding procedures and are able to fulfil their role 02/07/2024

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Due date

establish robust systems to monitor staff's ongoing suitability. 02/07/2024

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should:

n review and improve the organisation of adult-led group times so that all children fully benefit from the experience.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 113577 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10349299 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Let's Play Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07762 468 935 Date of previous inspection 2 July 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Lets Play Pre-School registered in 1992. The setting is open each weekday, during term time, from 9am to 12 noon. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The setting employs five members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate qualifications at level 3.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation. n The deputy manager, manager and 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 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 that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a sensory activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

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

18 June 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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