Little Learners Pre-School

Inspection of Little Learners Pre- School Woodcock Road, Stevenage SG2 9PG

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Friendly, nurturing staff support children in settling and enjoying their time at this pre-school. Staff take care to understand each child, noting their interests and the way in which they like to play. This enables them to offer children pertinent support and activities that capture their attention. Staff demonstrate their enthusiastic, optimistic attitudes. Children respond to this and are positive and confident in their approach to established and new activities. For example, children become absorbed as they concentrate on choosing craft items to decorate Christmas picture frames. Staff recognise children's efforts and offer lots of praise, encouraging children to persevere and building their belief in their own abilities.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and act as good role models. Children reflect this and are kind and considerate. For example, children playing at the role-play 'hot chocolate' station notice when others need spoons and pass these to them. Sensitive support from staff aids children in settling minor disputes independently. Diligent staff ensure that all areas of the pre-school are safe for children to use. They support children well in understanding how to keep themselves safe. For instance, children using ride-on toys understand they need to be careful of others and allow plenty of space for one another.

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need to do better?

n All staff demonstrate a genuine enjoyment of their work and are committed to playing an active role in developing the pre-school further. Staff receive effective induction training and practical supervision. This helps to ensure that all are clear about the pre-school's policies and consistently implement these, promoting children's health and welfare. n Staff fully understand the pre-school's practical curriculum. They know what children are learning and offer them further play opportunities that build logically on this and support all children in making good progress. Practical monitoring supports staff in checking children's progress and enables them to address any weaker areas. Staff use additional funding effectively to further promote children's learning. n Children show a great enjoyment of books and stories. Staff read with animation, maintaining children's attention. They make good use of group story

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need to do better?

times to teach children new vocabulary. For example, younger children feel the textures in a book and eagerly use the words 'prickly', 'sparkly' and 'shiny'. n Staff make good use of children's interests to promote their development. For example, children enjoy working in 'Santa's toy shop'. They choose and wrap items, carefully filling bags and handing these out. They use their good language skills to describe this process and the items they have wrapped. n Children participate in planned activities that help to reinforce their learning. For

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need to do better?

9 December 2024 instance, children play with farm animals, sing associated songs and look at relevant books. They then visit a farm and use their knowledge to name the animals and talk about them. n Children have many opportunities that help them to understand and feel part of their community. For example, they visit the nearby playing field and observe local schools' sports days. Their interest in the wider world and their understanding of diversity is developed through activities, such as sharing information about family events and celebrating national and international festivals. n Staff know the children well and usually use their good teaching skills to encourage them to think further. However, on occasion, staff do not always fully support children to build on their spontaneous play and learning and so extend their development to the optimum. n Staff support children to gain some understanding of healthy practices. For

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need to do better?

example, they explain why it is important not to put a small serving spoon into their mouths as other children are going to use this. However, this is not consistent and staff do not support children as much as possible in understanding healthy lifestyle practices. n Parents speak highly of the pre-school and report how much their children enjoy attending. They note the good progress their children make, for example, in speech and language skills. Staff communicate well with parents and support them in building on children's learning. For instance, they lend books and resources to use at home.

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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 support staff to develop their teaching skills further so that they adapt their practice to extend each child's learning to the maximum n extend the opportunities that support children in developing an understanding of healthy lifestyle practices.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY546377 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10370316 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 26 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person Cork, Elizabeth Alice

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reference number

Telephone number 01438229560 Date of previous inspection 9 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Learners Pre-School registered in 2017. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with a degree qualification. The pre-school operates from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8.55am to 2.55pm and on Wednesday and Friday from 8.55am until 11.55am. The pre-school provides government funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed staff interaction with children during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n Meetings were held between the inspector and the manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

9 December 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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