Little Pickles Nursery

Little Pickles Nursery Riverside House, 19 Chapel Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2LS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 August 2017 Not applicable

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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

 Staff provide a nurturing environment that welcomes children and their families. They work in close partnership with parents to support all children in their care and their learning needs.  Children are happy and settled as they develop warm and trusting relationships with their key person and nursery staff. Their emotional well-being is well supported.  Staff promote good language and communication skills. They interact skilfully and use a range of strategies to support children to increase their vocabulary, develop their listening and speaking skills and use their thinking skills.  The outdoor and indoor environments are interesting and stimulating for children. They demonstrate high levels of involvement and sustained interest in a range of activities, such as exploring the texture of flour and reading stories with staff.  Children who have special educational needs are very well supported and make very

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This provision is good

good progress. Staff are knowledgeable about children's specific needs and have developed strong partnerships with a range of professionals.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff sometimes overlook opportunities to extend children's creative skills to higher levels.  The managers do not monitor the effectiveness of staff performance rigorously and identify fully their professional development needs.

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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 opportunities for children to develop their creativity and use their imaginations  build on current staff monitoring systems even further to raise the quality of staff practice to the highest level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during indoor and outdoor activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery managers. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The managers and well-qualified staff have a good understanding of all aspects of safeguarding, including child protection procedures, and they know what to do if they suspect a child may be at risk. Staff attend regular child protection training and know the professionals to contact if required. Recruitment procedures are rigorous and help to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. The managers update their policies and procedures regularly and share these with parents. The managers and staff team work well together. They provide a consistent approach to every child's care and learning. Self-evaluation takes into account the views of staff, parents and children. The managers and staff are strongly committed to continuous improvement.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children very well and have a good knowledge of how children learn. Teaching is consistently good across the nursery and at times, in the pre-school room, it is outstanding. Older children's social skills are very well supported. Staff sit alongside them and engage them in meaningful and interesting conversations which stimulate their learning and extend their thinking. For example, children talk about and name the animals they know to live in Australia. Staff provide praise and encourage children to share their thoughts and ideas with the group. Staff provide opportunities, such as parents' evenings and daily verbal feedback, to involve parents in their children's learning. This helps to support consistency between home and the nursery.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well and display positive self-esteem and confidence. Transition between rooms is managed carefully to ensure that children are settled and confident in their new environment. Children are well prepared for the transition to school. For example, the managers arrange for children to meet their new teacher and spend time in their new school. Children have good opportunities to learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles. Staff talk to them about food that is good for them at snack time. Children know to drink more water during hot weather and staff ensure children wear sun cream and sun hats. Staff promote good hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before meals or after using the toilet.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are making good progress in their learning. Children are motivated and show good levels of concentration. They eagerly join in with experiences that support them in acquiring the key skills they need for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY491686 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1017905 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 53 Number of children on roll 101 Name of registered person LPN Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07429010528

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reference number

Little Pickles Nursery registered in 2015. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, nine at level 3 and two at level 2. One of the managers holds early years teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.45am until 6pm.

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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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