Little Earthworms

Little Earthworms 387 Ditchling Road, Brighton, BN1 6NF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 May 2018 9 October 2015

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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 establish positive relationships with children. They communicate their expectations to children clearly and appropriately. Children behave well and older children are excited to help support younger ones.  The nursery has established strong partnerships with local agencies to support children who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities and those with additional needs.  The managers have developed effective systems to evaluate their practice. Systems for staff supervision identify strengths and areas of development which improve outcomes for children.  Children are well prepared for their transitions to school. The nursery has developed effective partnerships with local schools to support children as they prepare for their next steps.  Children are offered a wide range of opportunities to learn indoors and outdoors, generally. Children develop a good understanding of nature and the world around

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This provision is good

them. They grow their own plants and herbs and help to care for the nursery's chickens.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff sometimes miss opportunities to allow older children to solve problems for themselves.  Staff do not make good enough use of the outdoor environment to help younger children develop their sensory skills.

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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

 extend opportunities that help older children to problem solve more effectively  make better use of the outdoor area to help support younger children's sensory development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with a member of the management team.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact that this has on children's learning.  The inspector met with the managers to look at a range of documentation, including procedures, staff records, self-evaluation, recruitment and training, and safeguarding procedures.  The inspector spoke with parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

There are robust systems for recruitment and induction in place and staff have opportunities to update their training, overall. Safeguarding is effective. All staff have a good understanding of how to help keep children safe. The managers have effective systems of ongoing evaluation and are committed to developing the nursery continually, indoors and outdoors. They regularly assess their provision and put action plans in place to improve outcomes for children. For example, the managers have developed an effective staff supervision programme that has enabled them to develop staff performance and review opportunities to implement wider training for staff to improve practice for children. Staff develop positive relationships with parents. They encourage parents to contribute to their children's observation records so children have a home-from-home approach to their learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children have strong relationships with their key person, and staff know the children very well. Staff successfully tailor their interactions to children's age. Children communicate well with their key persons and feel confident to ask questions and seek support. The nursery is well resourced and children are offered a wide range of activities to use their imaginations. For example, children enjoy creating labels for the plants in their greengrocers, and they purchase courgettes and carrots, write receipts and practise simple mathematics as they count coins for change. Children develop good physical skills and control of their bodies. They enjoy opportunities to look after their growing plots and to explore the digging areas. Younger children are skilfully supported to develop early communication skills, and they are excited to join in with familiar songs and group time.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children's behaviour is very good. They listen well and communicate kindly with one another. Staff work closely with parents so new children settle quickly and build good attachments to their key person. Staff have a strong knowledge of how to support children who have SEN and/or disabilities. They plan a wide range of appropriate activities which they implement consistently to help children to make progress. Children explore where their food comes from and independently serve home-cooked, nutritious meals. Children are excited to tell adults about their nursery chickens and the eggs that they laid which they eat for lunch.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting points. Staff have a strong knowledge of children's next steps and how to help them achieve these. Older children are well prepared for the transition to school. They have good listening skills and are encouraged to develop early writing skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY402775 Local authority Brighton & Hove Inspection number 1130616 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 45 Number of children on roll 81 Name of registered person Little Earth Worms Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 9 October 2015 Telephone number 01273 243182

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reference number

Little Earthworms opened and registered in 2010. The nursery employs 12 staff, nine of whom hold an appropriate qualification at level 2 or above. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm all year round.

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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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