Little Owls Preschool (Boxted)

Inspection of Little Owls Preschool (Boxted) King George Playing Field, Cage Lane, Boxted, Colchester, Essex CO4 5RE

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Staff have a clear focus on helping children to build a strong sense of belonging at the pre-school. They support children to hang up their belongings on arrival and encourage them to access the exciting play and learning opportunities available. They get to know children well and build strong relationships. For example, they interact with children readily throughout the day and encourage them to ask questions as they play. This helps to motivate children's communication and language skills and inspires their curiosity.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff care about the children's emotional well-being. They focus on helping children to feel relaxed, safe and happy in their care. For example, the strong key-person system ensures staff know how to help each child to settle. Staff have high expectations for children's independence. Children are encouraged to cut their fruit and pour their drinks during their snack times with tailored support provided for individual children. Learning is generally sequenced to allow all children to develop their skills. For example, staff guide the children's hands when they are learning how to cut up a banana, before gradually reducing the physical support so they can learn to do this independently.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff model the use of please and thank you in their communications and show children how to take turns. This helps children to be helpful towards their friends and adults. There are many opportunities for children to be creative and practise making marks. The home corner is equipped with everyday items, allowing children to be imaginative within their play. For example, children follow the same theme as they pretend to iron the clothes and fold them up. Staff organise the learning environment to create opportunities for children to access the outdoor learning space as they choose. This means that children explore the natural world and tackle more physically challenging tasks, such as climbing and balancing.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management team and staff provide high-quality learning and teaching to children in their care. Managers are present within the setting and staff reflect positively on how supported they feel. Managers foster an open and honest relationship with staff, which helps to create a close-knit team who support each other well. n Staff demonstrate a thorough understanding of the children in their care. Where children need additional emotional support, staff are aware and warmly reassure them until they are feeling more settled and ready to engage more independently. n The pre-school aims to equip children for their next stage in learning. They focus on offering experiences like those of a school-based provision. For example,

p.2

need to do better?

26 September 2025 during circle time, they sing a familiar song to help children to ready themselves to listen to a story. Gentle reminders about using their ears to listen and being quieter so they can hear, help to support their listening skills further. Leaders seek feedback from local schools to help them to shape the curriculum and ensure children develop the tools and skills to further their learning. n Relationships among children, parents and staff reflect a positive and respectful culture. Parents speak about the setting with warmth and overwhelming positivity, outlining their children feel happy and safe and have an extremely positive learning experience. Staff establish strong relationships with parents, ensuring they are kept fully informed. This helps to promote strong continuity of care for children especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). n Using observations, communication with parents and linking with other agencies,

p.2

need to do better?

staff provide tailored and supportive care for children with SEND. This helps to ensure all children can access the curriculum to the best of their ability. n Staff have clear learning intentions for all activities. However, some adult-led activities, such as circle time, are not precisely adapted to ensure the youngest children and those who speak English as an additional language remain engaged and extend their learning as much as possible. n The pre-school implements a nutrition policy based around healthy eating initiatives. Staff provide literature for parents to support their choices around the contents of their child's lunch box, using a familiar traffic light system. This helps to support children's health. Lunches are transferred from lunch boxes to plates, giving children independence and choice about what to eat and to encourage a homely environment. n Mathematical concepts and number language are present throughout the

p.3

need to do better?

learning environment. Staff skilfully incorporate mathematical tasks into activities. For example, while playing outside children are supported to count collected conkers and compare their sizes.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n support staff to adapt adult-led activities, such as circle time, more precisely to suit children's individual learning needs, ensuring that all children can participate meaningfully and make the best possible progress.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY400589 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10399631 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 33 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Little Owls Preschool (Boxted)

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01206 273226 Date of previous inspection 9 December 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Owls Preschool (Boxted) registered in 2009. The pre-school employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, all staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. One member of staff holds qualified teacher status, and one holds early years teacher status. The pre-school also employs a business manager. It opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 3.15pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for all eligible children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the pre- school. 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 deputy manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during story time. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

26 September 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.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6