Little Oaks Playschool

Inspection of Little Oaks Playschool Little Oaks Playschool, Framlingham Road, Dennington, Woodbridge IP13 8DD

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this inspirational playschool, demonstrating positive attitudes towards learning and engaging in every opportunity. Babies delight in playing peekaboo with staff using voile scarves, while older children test their physical abilities by climbing up and down a hill. When some children find this challenging, staff provide the encouragement needed for them to try again. Children celebrate their achievements with joy.

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The provision is outstanding

Indoors, children use magnetic tiles to explore construction by making structures, such as a fire station. They confidently explain to visitors that two magnets are necessary to join the pieces together. These activities help children develop critical thinking skills. Children are extremely well-behaved and understand what is expected of them. They show high levels of respect for each other and play harmoniously together. The calm atmosphere and curriculum help children develop high self-esteem and highly respectful attitudes.

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The provision is outstanding

Children develop warm, trusting relationships with staff. Leaders and staff use home visits and settling-in sessions to gain a deep understanding of each child's interests and current developmental stage. This ensures that staff know each child and their families well. Leaders and staff collaboratively use this information to create a highly ambitious and well-designed curriculum to inspire and motivate children to explore and learn. As a result, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make rapid progress and are well- prepared for the next stage in their development.

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need to do better?

n Children are confident communicators from an early age. They benefit from consistently high-quality interactions with staff. Books and stories are purposely selected to introduce new vocabulary that links to learning intentions. Staff read stories with great animation, which helps children to listen with interest. Books are available in abundance for children to explore and read independently. During play, staff engage children in meaningful conversations. For example, they discuss different species of dinosaurs, observing their similarities and differences. n There is a strong emphasis on sustainability at the playschool. Staff provide children with various experiences that help them learn to care for and appreciate the natural world. For example, children engage in activities such as taking used paper towels to the compost heap and bringing leftover fruit to the wormery. This focus on sustainability also extends to families, as the playschool facilitates

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need to do better?

the redistribution of excess food to any families that can use it. These experiences promote children's appreciation of nature and develop lifelong

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need to do better?

10 April 2025 sustainable habits. n Children with SEND are very well supported. All children benefit from language screening tools to identify early language difficulties. This ensures that staff swiftly identify children who need additional support. Staff work alongside other professionals and parents to ensure children make the best possible progress in their learning. n Staff understand the importance of supporting children's physical development. They have created an environment encouraging children to take risks and explore their abilities. For example, staff have created indoor movement areas. Children begin to manage risk as they navigate the climbing apparatus. They use the indoor mats to climb, roll and dance, developing their large muscles. Children manipulate play dough to create different homes for their dinosaurs. This helps strengthen their hand muscles in preparation for early writing. n Staff are attuned to children's emotions. For example, they recognise and

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need to do better?

respond to their emotional needs when they show fear. Staff purposefully choose books to help young children understand how emotions make them feel. This contributes to equipping children with coping skills when they experience strong emotions. n Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. Parents are kept informed about what their children are learning and appreciate the support provided to help extend that learning at home. Before children begin at the playschool, staff conduct home visits to establish a solid foundation for collaboration with parents. Stay-and-play sessions are organised for the same groups of children, which helps parents build friendships with one another, fostering a sense of community. n Leaders are committed to delivering the highest quality of care and education for all. Staff training is highly inspirational. Staff have a diverse range of qualifications and skills. Leaders understand that using staff's skills and training

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need to do better?

enriches the professional development of all staff. Every staff member benefits from being mentored by more experienced and qualified staff. This helps to build on their already excellent teaching skills and continually drives the quality of education to benefit the children further.

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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 2746822 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10390621 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 52 Name of registered person Badingham Play School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07585913605 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Oaks Playschool registered in 2023. The setting employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including three staff with qualified teacher status. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm, all year round. The setting provides funded early education.

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Inspection activities

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 playschool and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector talked to staff 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

10 April 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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