Little Owl Pre-School

Inspection of Little Owl Pre-School Dry Drayton Primary School, Park Street, Dry Drayton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB23 8DA

p.1

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Leadership and management are weak. The provider was unable to demonstrate that effective recruitment processes have been completed and recorded. The provider does not ensure that staff identify all risks in the environment and that they take the appropriate action to keep children safe. Staff deployment is poor. The two-tier design of the garden and weak staffing arrangements, mean that children are not kept safe. On the day of the inspection, staff grouped small trampolines together on an uneven surface and did not supervise children effectively when they were using them. As a result, children were not supported to use them correctly and injured themselves in the process. This means children's welfare is not assured.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children do not receive high-quality learning experiences that stimulate and motivate them to learn. The provider has not ensured that leaders have devised a curriculum that effectively builds on what children know and can do. Staff do not encourage children to adopt a positive attitude to learning. They do not manage children's behaviour well. Despite this, children appear happy to be at the pre- school. They have formed close relationships with staff, who are kind and caring. They like to paint and enjoy the feeling of ice in their hands. Children are physically active, riding on bikes and scooters. They make their own obstacle course with play bricks.

p.2

need to do better?

n On the day of inspection, the provider did not have evidence to demonstrate that staff have undertaken enhanced criminal record checks. Although references for some staff have been obtained as part of the recruitment process, there was limited evidence to demonstrate that the provider has a rigorous vetting process in place. Furthermore, Ofsted are not aware of all the people who make up the trustees of the pre-school. This means that their suitability has not been assured before they have access to information about staff and children. n Following a recent action to improve risk assessments after a serious injury to a child, the provider has taken immediate steps to reduce the risk of this same accident happening again. However, risk assessments of the premises and resources are still not robust. Staff do not consistently identify all hazards to children. As well as the trampolines, garden canes were seen to be sticking out

p.2

need to do better?

of pots in the vicinity of where children ride bikes and scooters. These were immediately removed by leaders once brought to their attention, but it is concerning that hazards, such as these, had not been identified in the first place. n Curriculum planning is poor. Staff do not plan for children's learning effectively or assess their individual progress. Children do not benefit from rich-language

p.2

need to do better?

14 July 2025 experiences that help to increase their vocabulary, especially those who speak English as an additional language. Staff do not look closely enough at what children can do and identify precisely what they need to learn next. This hinders the progress children make in this pre-school. However, staff use what they know about typical child development to provide some interesting activities. They can demonstrate that they understand how children learn. n Procedures to promote children's good health are not robust. The children have access to drinking water, which means they stay hydrated. However, staff stated that children generally arrive at the pre-school with sun cream already applied but they do not check this before the children go outside in hot and sunny weather. A policy in place is for children to wear hats in hot weather, but this is not followed by all staff for all children. n Although some photographs of children at play are shared with parents, they do

p.2

need to do better?

not receive regular information about what their children are learning and the progress they are making as an individual. Parents are not made aware of children's next steps and how they can help support their learning and development. n Staff do not communicate clear rules and boundaries to children. At times, children try to climb on furniture and railings in the garden. Staff are not always consistent in their approach to help manage children's behaviour effectively. Some children struggle to sit and listen to a story and can be disruptive. They find it difficult to regulate their own emotions.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Due date

improve the staffing arrangements to ensure that children are adequately supervised to keep them safe and that their needs are met 30/07/2025

p.3

Due date

improve risk assessments in the garden to ensure that the environment is safe and suitable for children 30/07/2025

p.3

Due date

14 July 2025 keep a record of the identity checks and vetting processes completed for staff 30/07/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure Ofsted is provided with the information required to enable suitability checks to be completed before officers assume their responsibilities 30/07/2025

p.4

Due date

support staff to help children understand behaviour expectations and to recognise that their behaviour has an impact on themselves and others 30/07/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure the procedures in place for children to play safely outdoors in hot weather are consistently implemented, to promote the good health of children and keep them safe. 30/07/2025

p.4

Due date

devise an ambitious curriculum to ensure that it clearly identifies what it is that all children need to learn and takes into account their individual needs, interests and development 01/10/2025

p.4

Due date

obtain an accurate understanding of each child's level of achievement, interests and learning styles and use the information to plan learning experiences that are tailored to meet each child's needs 01/10/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that parents are consistently kept up to date about their child's individual progress and development. 01/10/2025

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2598019 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10410812 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person Little Owl Pre-School (Dry Drayton) CIO

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01954789605 Date of previous inspection 4 May 2022

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Little Owl Pre-School registered in 2021 and is situated in Dry Drayton, Cambridge. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time from 8.45am to 3.20pm. There is an after-school club that operates from 3.20pm to 6pm and also a holiday club that operates from 8.30am to 5.30pm. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 7. The pre-school provides funded early education for all eligible children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. 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 spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation available at the inspection.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

14 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7