Little Squirrels Nursery

Little Squirrels Nursery Kielder Community First School, Kielder, HEXHAM, Northumberland, NE48 1HQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 October 2016 10 September 2013

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The headteacher ensures that all staff, parents and children share their views about the nursery. This helps her to evaluate the provision effectively and to identify targets that will continue to improve the provision on an ongoing basis.  Staff know children very well through their observations and from information obtained from parents. They meet their individual needs and work effectively with parents to support the next steps in children's learning. Parents are kept well informed about children's progress and activities.  Staff support children's literacy skills extremely well. As a result, children demonstrate great interest in mark making and writing activities. They are starting to recognise the sounds at the start of words and the letters that represent them.  Staff have high expectations regarding behaviour. They all focus effectively on ensuring that children learn how to behave well and keep themselves safe in different situations.

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This provision is good

For example, by always walking, not running, around the classroom.  The outdoor area is used very well to foster enjoyment and learning. The introduction of Forest School in a neighbouring school, is helping children to learn about the outdoors and develop resilience and teamwork.  Parents' feedback is very positive. They talk highly of the staff team and the good quality care and learning opportunities children receive.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, some adult-led experiences lack the meticulous level of planning to give children the best chance to build on new and existing skills.

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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

 enhance the planning to ensure that adult-led activities are more closely linked to children's specific interests so that they make more-rapid progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the headteacher.  The inspector held a meeting with the headteacher. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The headteacher provides strong leadership. With the contributions of staff and parents she has created a wonderful learning environment in which children flourish. Systems are in place to monitor the effectiveness of teaching. Staff's practice is regularly observed and strengths, areas for improvement and training are identified during supervision meetings. The headteacher regularly monitors the progress of children and uses this information well to identify gaps in provision. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are clear on the procedure to follow in the event of a concern about a child. Robust recruitment and vetting procedures are followed to ensure that adults are checked for their suitability. Staff work successfully with parents and other professionals to support children's care and learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Well-qualified and enthusiastic staff promote children's learning well. Observations and assessments are carried out regularly and are used well to check and track children's individual progress. Staff spend time talking with the children, helping them to achieve increasingly well in their speaking and listening. This is a strength of the staff's teaching. Children concentrate while building diggers and trucks with interlocking blocks. Staff encourage children's thinking and problem-solving skills when they ask which blocks are needed next. Children explore volume and capacity as they fill and empty containers while playing in sand. Staff talk to children about shape names, colour and size as they play. Children enjoy interesting creative activities that allow them good opportunities to experiment with different media. While painting they choose whether to use a brush, their hands, or both and explore freely with the paint. Staff work very effectively to enrich

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

children's learning of the world around them through a wide range of visits and visitors.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children love coming to nursery and benefit greatly from the warm and very caring relationships staff provide. Consequently, their confidence, independence and social skills are promoted well. Children behave well. They are friendly to one another and mix well together. Older children show kindness in the way they help younger children to complete tasks or tidy up. Children's health and physical development is promoted well. For example, they enjoy playing outdoors where they have opportunities to run around and to use a wide range of play equipment. This has a good impact on children's coordination and confidence. Children feel safe at nursery and are aware of how to stay safe in and around the school environment.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who receive funding, make good progress from the outset. Children are inquisitive and motivated to learn. They are developing good mathematical and literacy skills. Children learn about letters and the sounds they make and learn to recognise and write their name. They learn some simple rules to help develop positive relationships with others. These key skills prepare children well for the next stage in their learning and the eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY458802 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 1066666 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 3 - 4 Total number of places 8 Number of children on roll 2 Name of registered person Kielder Community First School Governing Body

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 10 September 2013 Telephone number 01434250257

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reference number

Little Squirrels Nursery was registered in 2013. The nursery employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold qualified teacher status and one member of staff is qualified to level 3. The nursery operates in conjunction with the Reception class. Sessions run from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday, term time only. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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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