Little Stones Bersted

Inspection of Little Stones Bersted Community Building, Lakeland Avenue, Bognor Regis PO21 5FF

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Staff have created an environment in which children thoroughly enjoy their time. Children develop close relationships, and staff nurture children with warmth and gentle guidance. This is a key strength of the pre-school. For example, the key person approach is very effective, and staff have an excellent awareness of children's interests and lives outside of the pre-school. This helps children develop a sense of belonging, which sets a foundation for their learning.

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The provision is good

Children are very motivated in their play. Staff play alongside them and offer ideas to extend learning. For example, when children collect ice from one container to transfer it to another, staff suggest ways to make this process easier. This helps children develop their problem-solving skills and work collaboratively with their peers.

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The provision is good

The curriculum is broad and balanced. Leaders place an emphasis on supporting children's independence and communication skills. They weave stories and role- play into everyday activities. Children learn about the joy that comes from reading books and recalling events from familiar stories. They are asked to contribute and share their opinions about characters and what might happen next. Children, including those who have English as an additional language, rapidly learn new vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n The leadership is strong. Leaders have a clear vision and make effective use of evaluation and feedback. This helps to continuously improve the quality of the curriculum, and the care provided. Staff are instructed on how to use observation and assessment to identify areas where children may need support or be at risk of falling behind. As a result, staff can respond quickly with support and help close the gaps in children's learning. n Leaders and staff strive to create a calm learning environment. Children demonstrate good manners and are kind to their friends. They are learning to share, and staff set high expectations for good behaviour, which they model well. Staff place high importance on friendships and help children develop good social skills. This helps children to be well prepared for school. n Staff enjoy their roles and report high levels of well-being. They work together with the leadership team, who invite them to contribute and implement new

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need to do better?

ideas into the pre-school. They feel valued and listened to. Children remain at the heart of all that staff do. n Generally, staff plan a stimulating curriculum and show an acute interest in children's existing knowledge and what they need to learn next. However, there are times when staff do not precisely plan what they want children to learn. As a

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need to do better?

9 July 2025 result, some learning is not as effective as it could be and can be incidental rather than purposeful. n Staff ensure that children have good, enjoyable opportunities to play outside. For example, children demonstrate a high level of excitement and enjoyment as they squeal with laughter during water and ice play. Staff use these times to teach children about sun safety and the effect it has on their bodies. Children learn the importance of staying hydrated in hot weather. This helps children develop an overall understanding of their own physical development. n Children make progress in their learning and development. They have opportunities for their skills to be nurtured. For example, staff use effective questioning to extend conversations, which supports children to articulate their thoughts. However, there are times when children have unclear speech, and staff do not consistently and clearly repeat back a mispronunciation.

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need to do better?

Consequently, children do not always hear the correct way to pronounce a word. n Leaders ensure that all children have the opportunity to take part in events that they might not have previously experienced. For example, children enjoy informative visits where they have the chance to hold reptiles and insects. A dental nurse visits to provide a range of activities and resources to expose children to good oral health practices. Children and families engage in local charity events. Children are taught the importance of respecting the community in which they live and the cultures of their friends.

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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 develop staff's understanding of how to plan even more precisely for every child, to continually build on and extend their learning further n strengthen staff's understanding of how to develop and extend children's language skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2738218 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10399789 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Little Stones Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07360144051 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stones Bersted registered in 2023. It operates from a community hall, Bognor Regis in West Sussex. the pre-school is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm, term time only. All of the six members of staff hold relevant childcare qualifications up to level 6. The pre-school provides government funded early education places for children aged from two to four years.

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Inspection activities

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 took account of the views of parents. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation that was provided on request. n Children shared their views about their time at the setting. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum.

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Inspection activities

9 July 2025 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 July 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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