Little Friends Day Nursery & Learning Centre

Little Friends Day Nursery & Learning Centre Egerton Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3ND

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 August 2017 12 May 2014

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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 leadership team is very passionate about providing the best possible service for children and families. Parents, children and staff are consulted during this process to identify ambitious targets for development.  Staff have a good understanding of how children learn. Their new planning systems enable them to quickly identify, enhance and extend children's emerging interests. Children are motivated and engaged.  Staff help children to talk about their feelings. Children play well alongside one another and have good social skills. They readily take turns and have a positive sense of self.  Children have positive relationships with staff. They seek staff out to join in with their games or for comfort and reassurance. The procedures to help new children settle in to the nursery are effective.  Children make good progress from their starting points. Staff work effectively with parents and external agencies to support children who have special educational needs

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always make the best use of purposeful learning opportunities for those children who prefer to learn outdoors.  Sometimes, staff do not provide enough opportunities for children to explore and solve problems independently.

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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 range of opportunities available for those children who prefer to learn outdoors  sharpen the focus on helping children to identify problems and solve them independently.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the areas of the premises used for childcare purposes.  The inspector met with the leadership team to discuss matters relating to leadership and management. She sampled relevant documentation including the nursery's self- evaluation form, action plans and policies.  The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She observed activities and play in the indoor and outdoor areas.  The inspector jointly observed and evaluated practice with the deputy manager.  The inspector spoke with parents and reviewed their written feedback to take account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are knowledgeable about safeguarding and wider child protection issues. They know how to identify concerns and report these to the relevant agencies to help to protect children from harm. The nursery is secure and potential hazards are minimised effectively through risk assessment. The staff team is well established and well qualified. They receive regular supervision sessions and feedback about the quality of their practice to enhance their existing skills. Staff also benefit from opportunities to share ideas for practice and attend training courses that broaden their knowledge. Leaders have introduced robust systems to monitor and analyse the progress of different groups of children. They quickly identify children who may need extra support and work effectively with other agencies to provide it.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff frequently observe and assess children's learning and provide stimulating learning experiences that support children's progress in all areas. Babies enjoy exploring musical instruments. They develop their physical coordination skills, for example, as they bang drums. Younger children help to make malleable dough. They take an active part in naming and mixing ingredients, observing the changes to the dough each time they add something new to the mixture. Older children learn to listen carefully and identify sounds in the environment. They observe the effects of physical exercise on their bodies after running. Children make independent choices from good-quality resources in the indoor area. This helps to promote their engagement and enjoyment.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well. They respond willingly to adult instructions and take part in routines. For example, when children have been painting they walk to the bathroom independently, ready to wash their hands. They begin to learn empathy and think about how other children feel. Children's health and physical well-being are well promoted. They engage in regular physical exercise through outdoor play and sessions run by external providers. Staff reinforce hygiene routines and children benefit from freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced meals. Children engage in opportunities to learn more about the local community and wider world. Children are encouraged to be independent. They are provided with time during daily routines to practise putting on their own shoes or coats, for example.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, are progressing well in their learning. Older children demonstrate a variety of skills which helps to prepare them for their future learning and the move to school. For example, they count how many children are around the table and easily identify how many people are present if they also include adults. Children have good social skills and use manners well.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 305161 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 1087751 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 94 Number of children on roll 101 Name of registered person Little Friends Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 May 2014 Telephone number 01244 346456

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reference number

Little Friends Day Nursery & Learning Centre registered in 1995. The nursery employs 28 members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above or are working towards a qualification. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks per year, excluding bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.45am until 6pm. 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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