Little Gems

Little Gems Henfield Youth Centre, Deer Park, Henfield, BN5 9JQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 September 2017 26 September 2016

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Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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

 The quality of teaching is variable. Activities are not consistently well planned. Children are not consistently provided with enough challenge, according to their abilities and interests, to help them make good progress in their learning.  Staff’s assessments of children’s learning are not consistent in clearly identifying their next steps in learning.  The provider has not fully implemented a carefully targeted programme of support and mentoring for all staff to raise the quality of teaching.  The self-evaluation process is not fully implemented and monitored to ensure that priorities for improvement are identified and addressed.

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It has the following strengths

 Since the last inspection, staff have attended specific training to increase their skills and knowledge in how to effectively support children’s speech and language.  Children settle well. Younger children learn how to treat each other with respect and older children show a caring attitude to their friends. They have good relationships with staff who are very attentive to their needs.  There are close relationships with parents and other settings where children also attend, such as school. Parents speak positively about the provider and the staff. They say that their children enjoy coming to the nursery.

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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 the planning of activities to ensure children are provided with purposeful play and challenges according to their abilities and current interests, to encourage their good progress 27/10/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that the assessments of all children's progress accurately identify the next steps in their learning to inform future planning. 27/10/2017

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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

 strengthen the ongoing support for staff to identify and provide opportunities to further their professional development  improve self-evaluation to prioritise and implement targets for improvement that have a positive impact on practice.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact of these activities on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with the provider, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at samples of children's records and planning documentation. She also looked at evidence of the suitability of staff working with the children.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider and held a meeting with her.  The inspector spoke to a selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The provider, who is also the manager, reviews the quality of the nursery and children's development. She has identified some weaknesses to address in the educational programme provided. However, the monitoring of practice and children's progress is not clear enough to ensure staff have a secure understanding of each child's learning needs. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff know the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about children's welfare or if allegations are made about themselves or others. The provider follows secure recruitment procedures. Staff have started to review their own practice and the manager meets with them to discuss their work with children. However, these meetings are not clearly focused and effectively embedded to make a positive impact on children's learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Children happily play with the activities and resources set out for them. Staff gather information about what children can already do from parents. However, they do not consistently make the best use of their observations and assessments to identify and plan children's next steps precisely enough, to extend their learning. For example, at times activities are not planned effectively so that all children benefit. At times, staff show effective teaching practices. For example, they encourage children to develop their early literacy skills. Older children recognise the sounds and names of letters, and attempt to write these. Younger children have fun making marks and filling containers with oats. They play imaginatively with large construction pieces and learn to count.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children benefit from outdoor play and exercise, which contributes to them developing good physical skills. For example, they negotiate space well when riding 'cars' and often go on outings to nearby play areas. Staff encourage children's independence and promote their safety. For example, children successfully learn how to use knives when cutting their fruit. Staff are very aware of children's dietary needs and help children to develop healthy eating habits. Children are able to sleep and rest according to their needs. They bring comforters from home so that they continue to feel secure during the day.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Not all children make good progress due to weaknesses in the assessment systems, and teaching practice does not consistently challenge and extend children's learning. However, they develop some skills for the next stage in their learning or for the move to school. For example, they are confident in using pens and pencils, and tending to their own personal care needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482473 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 1075127 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 - 12 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Little Gem's With Big Imaginations Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 September 2016 Telephone number 07716100655

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reference number

Little Gems registered in 2014. It operates from the Henfield Youth Centre in Henfield, West Sussex. The nursery is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. There are six members of staff; of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6 and four members of staff hold qualifications at level 3. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider also provides out-of-school care for children aged from four years to 12 years. This is open each weekday during term time only, from 8am to 9am and 3pm to 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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T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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