Little Smarties Academy Limited

Little Smarties Academy 218 Hamstead Road, Handsworth, BIRMINGHAM, B20 2RE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 February 2015 3 September 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Inadequate 4 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Children are effectively safeguarded. Staff have a secure understanding of child protection issues, and know the correct procedures to follow should they suspect abuse.  Children are well prepared for school or the next stage in their learning because the quality of teaching is good. Staff interact well with children, and make the most of opportunities to help children become confident speakers and good listeners.  Children are provided with healthy and nutritious food, and staff regularly talk to them about the benefits of a healthy diet. Consequently, children's good health is successfully promoted.  The provider and all members of staff regularly reflect on their practice, nursery procedures and the experiences provided for children. Leaders and managers have set clear priorities for improvement and demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting high-quality provision.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always organise resources effectively to support children's independence, and to enhance children's learning experiences even further.  Staff do not use the extensive information gathered about the backgrounds of families using the nursery to best effect. Consequently, some opportunities to increase children's self-awareness, and their knowledge and understanding of the wider community, are not fully exploited.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 review the organisation of resources to maximise children's independence, and to exploit all opportunities to help children learn and develop effectively through play  make even better use of information gathered about children and their families to plan experiences that enhance children's knowledge and understanding of their language, culture and traditions, and those of others.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the nursery with the manager.  The inspector spoke with the provider, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector looked at a sample of documentation, including policies, children's records and evidence of the suitability of staff working with children.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of inspection.  The inspector observed the staff engaging in a range of indoor and outdoor learning activities, play and daily care routines with the children.

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who attend. This is good

Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of how children develop and learn. They skilfully plan and provide a wide range of experiences for children based on a secure understanding of their individual needs and interests. As a result, children are motivated to participate in activities and are keen to learn. However, the organisation of resources does not always support children's independence and effectively build on their good knowledge and skills. For example, some of the toys in the baby room are stored in deep boxes, and babies cannot reach them. Some battery-operated toys are not maintained in working order. Also, in the pre-school room some of the jigsaws are very basic and do not present the older children with a good level of challenge.

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good

Children play and rest in a safe environment. They enjoy positive relationships with staff, and are happy and settled. Staff maintain effective two-way communication with parents, and comprehensive information is shared in respect of children's routines and welfare. However, staff do not always consider information gathered about children's home languages and cultural traditions when planning experiences. Consequently, children's learning about the wider world is less well promoted. Children benefit from daily outdoor play and lots of opportunities to be physically active. The nursery is clean, and staff follow good hygiene routines as they change children's nappies. Parents and staff work together to provide consistent support for children who are ready for toilet training. As a result, children's physical and emotional well-being are successfully promoted.

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provision is good

Leaders and managers are fully aware of legal requirements, and effective policies and procedures are followed to safeguard children. The provider understands the requirement to notify Ofsted and children's social care services of allegations of serious harm or abuse by staff looking after children. A clear complaints procedure is in place, and the provider promptly and appropriately responds to concerns raised by parents. Effective action has been taken in response to all issues raised at the last inspection. The manager regularly monitors staff practice, and staff training and development is afforded a high priority. Regular staff meetings are organised, and the manager uses these effectively to cascade important information and model good practice. Leaders and managers have a good awareness of the nursery's strengths and weaknesses, and have clear plans for future improvement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY467307 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 990138 Type of provision Out of school provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 47 Number of children on roll 32 Name of provider Little Smarties Academy Limited Date of previous inspection 3 September 2014 Telephone number 01216791355

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Setting details

Little Smarties Academy was registered in 2013. It is run by Little Smarties Academy Limited, and is one of two nurseries under the same ownership. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round, with the exception of bank holidays. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, one member of staff holds a degree in early years and eight members of staff hold early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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