Little Rascals Day Nursery

Little Rascals Day Nursery Little Rascals, 4 Rossgate, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3LG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 March 2017 27 October 2016

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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 quality of teaching is too variable. Teaching is not good enough for the older children. Not all staff use effective teaching techniques to fully promote children's thinking skills. This means that children do not make the best possible progress in their learning.  Staff do not use their observations and assessments effectively. This means the planning of activities is not precisely focused on children’s individual learning needs.  Systems for staff supervision, whilst improved, needs time to embed in order to have an even greater impact on improving the quality of teaching.

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It has the following strengths

 Improvements have been made since the last inspection. For example, the manager has reviewed and strengthened the induction process for new staff.  The quality of teaching in the baby room is good. Staff are skilled at tuning into the babies’ vocalisations and maintaining interactions with them. This actively supports their early language development.  Partnership working with parents is effective. For example, parents receive information on a daily basis about what their child has been doing and the provider encourages parents to make suggestions about the service provided.  Children's health needs are supported sufficiently. They enjoy nutritious snacks and meals.

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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 teaching for the older children so that staff consistently challenge and extend their learning to support their thinking skills 31/05/2017

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Due Date

 ensure staff make accurate assessments of what children know and can do and this information is used; to identify children's individual next steps in learning and plan challenging activities that are sharply focused on children’s precise learning needs. 31/05/2017

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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

 embed supervision practise to ensure staff receive the support they need to improve their teaching practise further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspectors observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspectors spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The lead inspector completed a joint observation with the provider.  The inspectors held a meeting with the provider. They looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.  The inspectors spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector reviewed the provider’s self-evaluation.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The provider seeks out guidance from the local authority to support and embed improvements in the quality of the provision provided. The provider is at the early stages of monitoring children’s learning. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff have a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and neglect. Furthermore, they are able identify concerns about other staff members practice and know the procedures of how to raise concerns with local agencies. The provider supports all staff to attend important training, such as safeguarding and paediatric first aid. The provider has robust recruitment procedures in place to ensure staff working with children are suitable. Therefore, children are protected. Partnership with other agencies to support children are sound. For example, children with special educational needs and disabilities have specific plans which staff implement with guidance from specialist

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff are continuing to develop their skills to evaluate children’s learning. Staff do not make the most of all opportunities to support older children to think about how to solve problems. For example, while attempting to get balls out of tubes, the adult gives the solution. Children benefit from a progress check at age two. For example, staff identify that children would benefit from additional support to develop their communication skills. Staff use resources to help pre-school children learn about some aspects of understanding the world. For example, a small group of children compare what items magnets will stick to. Staff encourage toddlers to take turns as they explore musical instruments. Staff read books with babies and talk expressively about the pictures the babies point to.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

While children enjoy their time at the nursery, the occasional lack of purposeful activities results in lively behaviour. Children form close attachments with staff in the nursery. As a result, they are settled and generally explore the play areas. Staff give young children the opportunity to mix with older children during group activities such as 'singing times'. This helps them develop their social skills. Children enjoy regular walks around the local area. However, staff do not maximise opportunities to enhance children’s learning and development at this time. Staff help them to learn about how to keep themselves safe as they cross roads. Staff sufficiently promote children’s independence skills throughout the day. For example, staff encourage them to put their coats on before going outside and serve lunch themselves.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Staff do not consistently support all children to make good progress. Nonetheless, children gain the basic skills that they need in readiness for school. Children practise their cutting skills and use crayons and glue sticks during craft and drawing activities. This helps develop control of their hand muscles needed to write. Pre-school children are learning to listen and concentrate during the group registration time. Staff encourage children to count accurately as they play with bricks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498310 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1079586 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Little Rascals Nursery Group Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 27 October 2016 Telephone number 01442 416999

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reference number

Little Rascals Day Nursery was registered under new ownership in 2016. The nursery employs 19 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for one week between Christmas and New Year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.15pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children and supports children who have special educational needs or disabilities.

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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

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

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