Little Explorers

Little Explorers Belton Lane School, Green Lane, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 9PP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 February 2018 24 July 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 manager evaluates the nursery's provision well. She has made many changes since starting in her new role. This includes maintaining a calm and relaxed environment where children flourish.  The manager supports her staff well through supervisory meetings. Staff reflect on their practice and discuss how to maintain good quality teaching. The manager and deputy manager help staff to maintain their key children's good progress in learning.  Children are confident in their interactions with staff. They are keen to share their learning experiences with them. Staff plan for children's learning, based on their interests and what children need to learn next.  Staff encourage children to have a sense of responsibility in the nursery. For example, they ask them to help wipe tables prior to having snack. Children arrange chairs around the table, so all children have a seat.  The manager tracks the progress of groups of children. This helps her to support staff

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This provision is good

in extending children's mathematical skills.  Children enjoy being physically active. Babies explore and investigate through climbing up apparatus. Younger children construct using wooden blocks. They walk along them, helping to develop their balance and coordination.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff are not highly effective at encouraging all parents to contribute to their children's ongoing learning in the nursery and at home.

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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

 strengthen the involvement of parents in their child's learning in the nursery and at home.

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

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager and staff work well with other professionals to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. They regularly review children's progress and set targets that are specific to children's individual needs. Staff complete a written summary of children's progress between the ages of two and three years and share this with parents. Staff gather information from parents when children first start about what their child already knows and can do. This helps staff to plan for children's learning from the outset. Children are supported well when they move on to school. Staff take children to use the host school facilities, helping them to become familiar with the environment. Safeguarding is effective. Staff complete child protection training and know where to report concerns regarding children's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff attend training to help them provide activities to support the development of babies' senses. Babies and young children explore the texture and smell of vegetables. Staff observe and monitor children's learning and promote their communication and language skills well. They spend time listening to children's views and give them instructions to follow. Older children develop their early writing skills. Staff encourage them to recognise letters in their name and to write their full name. Children learn about their local community. Staff take them to a local park and library where they choose books to bring back to the nursery. Staff skilfully challenge children's thinking of stereotypes. For example, they talk to children about girls and boys being able to wear a blue coat.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are emotionally secure. They seek out staff to share their learning experiences. Babies' go to staff for cuddles and comfort. Staff encourage children to be independent. They provide resources that are at their level and easily accessible, giving children choices. Staff help children to manage risks. They provide them with a knife and tools to cut up vegetables. Staff talk to older children about the correct way to hold scissors. Children behave well and follow instructions. Staff reinforce positive behaviour and are good role models. They give children verbal praise, a 'thumbs up' and encouragement, helping them to have a positive outlook to try something new. Children show an awareness of using good manners. They remind staff to sing the please and thank you song before eating.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning. They are motivated and keen to explore and investigate indoors and outdoors. Older children demonstrate their independence when they help staff to make dough. They pour and mix ingredients together, learning to share and take turns. Children develop their problem-solving skills when they use an electronic device. They move around the room looking for objects that are metal. Children learn key skills in readiness for their move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY474606 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 1105751 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 - 11 Total number of places 63 Number of children on roll 87 Name of registered person Children's Links

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 24 July 2014 Telephone number 01476 575711

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reference number

Little Explorers registered in 2014. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and two at level 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for two weeks over Christmas and bank holidays. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, 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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