Lechlade Little Learners

Inspection of Lechlade Little Learners Wharf Lane, Lechlade, Gloucestershire GL7 3AU

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

All children thrive at this group, achieving exceptionally well in their learning and development. They all have excellent relationships with the staff, who show genuine warmth and kindness to them. Children are settled, happy and very confident. They welcome visitors and are excited to tell them about activities. For example, they avidly describe how to affect change on foam with their hands and tools. They encourage them to join their adventure to the 'mountains', and to spot birds and insects attracted to the garden area using the readily available binoculars.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are highly motivated to learn. Staff are excellent role models and support children to develop confident social skills, independence and impeccable behaviour. The children of different ages play exceptionally well together. Children gain excellent independence skills and are fully prepared to move on to school.

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The provision is outstanding

Full of smiles, children explore the carefully planned, inspiring indoor and outdoor learning environments. They relish outdoor play. They develop their agility as they dig, chase bubbles, climb, slide and balance across the challenging obstacle course. Together with staff, they express themselves while playing musical instruments with great gusto. Staff encourage children to explore sounds. They burst into lively singing, and children join in with great enthusiasm. Children gain an impressive understanding of the world. For example, they discover where food comes from as they grow fruit and vegetables, feed chickens and collect eggs, which they use to bake with.

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need to do better?

n The staff are all highly enthusiastic in their roles. They work with a passion to ensure that every child has the very best learning experiences at the group. Staff have an in-depth understanding of children's needs, interests and abilities, and an excellent overview of where every child is in their learning. They plan and implement an exciting curriculum that takes full account of what each child needs to learn next. They instinctively offer the encouragement and support the children need to foster their all-round learning. Staff know when to play an active role in children's learning and when to stand back and let them play freely. n Staff use every opportunity to foster children's self-esteem. Children receive high praise for their achievements, and staff show genuine pride and excitement when children achieve. For example, when young children manage to put their coats on unaided, they beam with delight as staff tell them how proud they are.

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need to do better?

n Staff instinctively challenge children to develop their language and thinking. They provide a narrative to children's play and use visual prompts and basic sign

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need to do better?

27 February 2025 language to help children who find verbal communication more difficult. Children chat avidly about the things they observe, what they are doing and have done. Staff skilfully introduce new words and ask questions to promote conversations. They also make excellent use of books, songs and rhymes to promote children's language skills further. n Staff actively develop children's mathematical awareness. They encourage children to count, do simple calculations and solve problems. Children recognise shapes and numerals, confidently count the number of staff and children present, and show their understanding of size and positional language. n Staff ensure all children are fully included in the activities and learning opportunities. Staff know instinctively when children need extra help to deal with their feelings and frustrations and provide just the right support to foster their learning and independence. Staff seek outside professional support without

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need to do better?

delay to ensure that children receive the extra help they need to maximise their learning. n The manager and committee provide excellent staff support and work proactively to evaluate the effectiveness of the provision and to drive continuous improvement. Funding is used highly effectively to provide extra staff support and resources and to broaden children's life experiences. For example, all children experience outings to places of interest and explore the local community. They regularly visit a local charity shop, where they learn to use money to buy extra toys and about people who are less fortunate than themselves. n Parents describe the staff as 'fantastic, friendly, welcoming, and highly supportive'. They state that the provision exceeds their expectations and that their children thoroughly enjoy all that they do at the group. Parents feel extremely well informed about their children's experiences and attribute their

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need to do better?

children's significant progress to the support the children receive from staff.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number 101484 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10376175 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Lechlade Little Learners Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01367 253653 Date of previous inspection 21 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Lechlade Little Learners registered in 1993. The group opens during school term times, Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 3pm. There are five members of staff. Of these, one holds early years teacher status, three hold level 3 childcare qualifications and one is completing a relevant level 2 qualification. The group provides government funded childcare places.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk of all areas of the group and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. She observed the quality of education being provided for all children, both indoors and outdoors. n The inspector and the manager evaluated the effectiveness of a group activity. n The inspector spoke to staff and the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to some parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the manager and committee chairperson about the leadership and management of the provision. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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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

27 February 2025 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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