Little Feet

Little Feet Training Centre, Callywhite Lane, Dronfield, Sheffield, S18 2XS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 February 2017 23 October 2013

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The manager and owner are not fully effective in supervising and supporting staff performance to consistently improve the quality of teaching. Children make some progress but are often not challenged enough in order to extend their learning further.  The manager and owner have not effectively considered the recent staff changes and the impact this has had on the quality of teaching. As a result, the quality of teaching is inconsistent and some aspects of children's learning are not fully supported.  The manager and owner do not make the most of the self-evaluation process in order to identify and address areas for development, such as teaching, to improve the outcomes for children.

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It has the following strengths

 Partnership working with parents is strong. Effective methods of communication keep parents well informed about their child's day and progress. All children benefit well from a coordinated approach to their learning, care and welfare.  Children behave well. Staff offer praise and encouragement and promote positive behaviour. This helps to develop children's self-esteem.  Children spend plenty of time outside in the fresh air to develop their physical skills. They particularly enjoy woodland walks. They continue their learning in the well- resourced enclosed outdoor play area.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 improve supervision for staff and critically evaluate staff's teaching skills to identify and address training needs and inconsistencies in teaching in order to develop their practice to at least a consistently good level 29/05/2017

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Due Date

 improve the quality of teaching so that staff fully engage children in activities and make the best use of opportunities to extend children's learning. 29/05/2017

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 continue to develop self-evaluation processes and use the information gained to target effective actions, paying particular regard to improving the quality of teaching.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed two joint observations with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and owner. She looked at relevant documentation, including staff qualifications and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspectors spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views and written comments.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The manager and owner do not monitor and focus carefully enough on developing the quality of teaching. They have not considered or reflected effectively enough on the impact that staff changes have had on the quality of teaching. As a result, teaching is inconsistent. That said, the owner and manager have a very positive approach and desire to make improvements and raise the quality of teaching. They actively seek the views of parents, staff and children. Safeguarding is effective. Staff complete regular training in order to keep updated with current government guidance, policies and procedures. Staff know the procedure to follow should they be concerned about the welfare of a child. Risk assessments, including those for outings, ensure all areas where children play are safe, secure and suitable.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Although the staff are well qualified, how they interact with children in order to support, challenge and extend their learning is variable. They do not support children well enough to learn as much as possible. For example, during storytelling and creative play, some staff do not interact well enough with the younger children. The story is told to children and staff do not encourage them to join in or contribute to discussions about the story. When children decorate their biscuits the activity is adult-directed and they do not have enough opportunities to develop their language skills. That said, older children thoroughly enjoy the woodland walk. The highly qualified and motivated staff leader engages very well with children. From her observations and assessments she knows how to narrow any identified gaps in children's learning. For example, she helps support children's mathematical skills, interacting in a meaningful way and asking questions. This entices

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

children to talk about the size and compare the different lengths of sticks they collect. They know the sticks make a circle pattern when they are thrown in the water.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Weaknesses in some staff's teaching mean that children are not always best supported in their learning. That said, children are happy, settled and enjoy their time at the nursery. Mealtimes are a social occasion and meet children's individual dietary requirements. Children also develop their independence skills well, such as serving themselves with the food and tidying away the plates when they have finished. The key person works closely with parents from the start. This helps them to get to know children well and help them settle quickly.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Teaching is not sufficiently well focused to make sure that every child makes the best possible progress in their learning and development given their starting points. This includes those who are in receipt of funding and those who speak English as an additional language. That said, some children do make good progress and are gaining useful skills in their future learning and in preparation for starting school. Babies confidently explore independently, older children put on their own coats and boots ready for outdoor play. Children are learning to socialise and play in larger groups, take turns and share toys.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440933 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 1065831 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 62 Number of children on roll 93 Name of registered person Littlefeet Childcare Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 23 October 2013 Telephone number 01246417812

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reference number

Little Feet was registered in 2012. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, one at level 2, two are unqualified, one with early years professional status and one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round except for bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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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Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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