Little Conkers

Little Conkers Scout Association, Valley Way, Stevenage, SG2 9AF

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 February 2018 Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Staff show care and concern for children's well-being. They are very kind to children, especially when they are unwell, to ensure children can rest. Staff make sure they share relevant information to ensure the safe care of all children.  The relationships between children and staff are good. Children show that they feel happy and content. Babies in particular have very strong relationships with the staff.  Staff effectively support children to develop and make good progress in their social skills. They encourage children to work together and take turns, which has a positive impact on children's friendships.  Staff are keen for children to explore and investigate. Children have fun, and learn and try to build small structures from straw, sticks and bricks.  Parents report very good communication with staff. They say staff keep them informed well about the daily experiences and the progress their children make.

p.1

This provision is good

 Managers use self-evaluation effectively to identify the key strengths and the aspects of the provision that can be improved. They make sure they use action plans and monitor improvements to maintain any new initiatives.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Managers do not make the very best use of supervision systems, to reflect on staff practice and identify how they can use recent training to improve teaching.  Staff occasionally fail to teach children good hygiene routines, for example, when washing and drying their hands.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 make more effective use of staff supervisions to support staff to reflect on their practice and identify where any recent training can be implemented  enhance children's opportunities to learn about and follow robust hygiene procedures, to help them understand how to keep themselves healthy.

p.2

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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Management and staff have a good understanding of the procedures to follow to safeguard children from harm. Induction training ensures staff understand and follow policies and procedures well, including the safe administration of medication. Managers deploy staff effectively to provide good supervision and support for children as they play. Staff make regular checks on the premises, completing risk assessments and updating procedures where necessary, to ensure the environment is safe. Managers review accident reports as part of safety audits. Information about the nursery, including the complaints procedures, ensures parents understand practices. They provide staff with information about their children so staff can provide safe care. Managers track children's progress well to help them plan further improvements to teaching and the curriculum. They support staff well to gain childcare qualifications. Staff work very closely

p.3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

with other professionals to support families and, in particular, children who have special educational needs.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff plan and provide worthwhile experiences for children. They tell traditional tales, which inspires children's creativity and imagination. Children enjoy getting involved in recreating the stories that they know well. Babies like to explore their environment. They investigate sensory toys as they feel textures and listen to sounds. Staff make sure they position themselves at children's eye level. Interaction between staff and the children is good. Staff respond positively to babies as they babble, encouraging them to use their voices to communicate. Older children are interested in the group activities led by staff. They confidently join in with group discussions. Staff regularly observe children as they play. They assess children's development and use the information to decide on the next steps in learning.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children learn well and have fun together at mealtimes. They are eager to get involved in serving themselves and pouring their drinks from the jug. Babies have one-to-one attention when being bottle fed. Children behave well. They listen and follow simple instructions from staff. Children have lots of opportunities to develop their independence. They learn how to manage their coats and footwear as they get ready to go outdoors. Children benefit from playing in the fresh air and the regular outdoor learning activities.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting points. They are interested in learning about letters and sounds, and get involved in action rhymes that reinforce learning. Children develop good speaking and listening skills. They use the opportunities to explore mark making and early writing when they describe and plan the stories they are acting out. Children benefit from targeted support that closes any gaps in their learning quickly. They are prepared for the next stage in their learning, such as school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY496967 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1122613 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 40 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Rebecca Dawn Currell

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07810770530

p.4

reference number

Little Conkers registered in 2015. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including the manager, who holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

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

p.5

reference number

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

p.5