Little Explorers

Little Explorers Somerford Primary Community School, Draper Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 3AS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 May 2016 4 December 2012

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The manager has led the successful development of the nursery since the previous inspection at which she was new to the role. The successful uplift in the quality of children's care, experiences and progress stems directly from her determination, enthusiasm, and excellent knowledge of child development and requirements.  Leaders oversee highly effective partnership working with other professionals and parents. They provide exceptional support to families to help parents overcome difficulties so that their children get the specific individual support that they need.  Children's welfare is the first concern of staff, who listen to children and help them to feel safe. Staff carefully teach children which risks are appropriate and which are not.  The staff are excellent role models to children, who respond, for example, by learning to control their impulses and to respect others.  Children delight in their play experiences and the rich choice of activities provided. They

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This provision is outstanding

enjoy playing outside and gain positive attitudes to being in the fresh air.  The manager astutely monitors the progress of individual children and of groups of children so that no child is overlooked. She knows, for example, that boys have equal experiences in early literacy and that if any are behind, the reasons why and how these issues are being addressed. All children make very good progress in their learning.  Parents, staff and children contribute to the perceptive evaluation of the provision.

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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

 implement the planned improvements to environments for the younger children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed indoor and outdoor activities and the impact of staff teaching on children's learning.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke with parents and read letters from other parents.  The inspector sampled a range of documents that included policies, the spreadsheets for tracking children's development, and evidence of the suitability of staff to work with children.  The inspector spoke with the staff, children, the manager and the children's centre cluster manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The manager has high expectations of herself, the staff, and of what children can achieve from their entry starting points. She checks that each child's unique needs are known and met. Leaders place emphasis on appointing staff who are keen to develop professionally. The manager leads by example and has attained a relevant higher-level degree since the previous inspection. She uses innovative ways to track children's achievements effectively, for example, by devising useful spreadsheets. Safeguarding is effective. Leaders implement thorough recruitment and induction procedures, and use support sessions to check that staff remain fully aware of their duty to protect children from harm. Staff work hard and successfully to engage all parents in their children's learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff plan exciting activities for children, who are eager to join in. They devise fresh play ideas that can be copied by others. For example, they create dens from wood pallets and fix a road map to the sloping outside roof. This activity, for example, helps children to use their coordination skills to run toy vehicles within tracks, while leaning forward and balancing to do so. Staff concentrate exceptionally well on supporting babies' and children's communication and language skills. For example, staff maintain eye contact, emphasise new words and explain meanings clearly. They use highly effective skills to question children and encourage them to solve problems, including mathematical ones.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Excellent relationships underpin children's progress. Parents report in glowing terms on the 'fantastic support' that they receive from staff. Older children talk to staff about themselves and say how they feel. Babies receive consistent, warm support, such as close cuddles when having their milk. Staff do all they can to make any changes in children's lives go smoothly, such as when they first attend and when they leave to go on to school. For example, the manager liaises successfully with Reception year teachers from 11 different schools locally. The nursery has excellent levels of hygiene. The manager recognises that even more can be done to further enrich the outdoor experiences of the younger children.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children, whatever their specific needs or backgrounds, make substantial progress and achieve exceptionally well. They are enthusiastic learners who delight in trying new experiences. They become absorbed in their activities, persevere to achieve new skills and learn to think through how to do things. Older children listen intently to what staff tell them and follow instructions with great care. They learn to play together happily and are well mannered.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY446875 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 1028360 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 44 Number of children on roll 89 Name of registered person Dorset County Council

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 4 December 2012 Telephone number 01202221351

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reference number

Little Explorers nursery registered under the current ownership of Dorset County Council in 2012. It is located in Christchurch, Dorset. It runs as part of the adjacent children's centre. The nursery receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged three and four years. The nursery opens each weekday from 8am until 6pm for 50 weeks of the year. There are 16 members of staff who work with the children. Of these, all but two have recognised early years qualifications. The manager holds early years professional status.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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