Little Learners (Galgate) Nursery & Preschool

Little Learners (Galgate) Nursery & Preschool St Joseph's Church, Main Road, Galgate, Lancaster, LA2 0JW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 May 2018 8 February 2013

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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 are highly qualified, demonstrate an excellent knowledge of child development and have high expectations of all children. They plan interesting activities and engaging experiences, which help children to progress well in all areas of learning.  Key persons know children well, meet their individual care needs and are considerate and attentive. Children are supervised at all times and supported to assess risks as they play. This helps them to feel confident, safe, secure and valued.  Self-evaluation practices are good. The management team work effectively together and seek feedback from children, staff and parents to plan improvements to the setting.  Staff work with other professionals, agencies and organisations to support children's learning, where appropriate. There are very good links with local schools for transition.  Children are well supported when they start in the setting. Staff work closely with

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This provision is good

parents to ensure that children settle quickly and feel at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Parents do not always feel very well informed about their children's learning.  Although continued professional development opportunities are provided for all staff, these are not always focused on raising the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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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 information sharing with parents to ensure they feel well informed about their children's learning and development  enhance opportunities for continued professional development to raise the quality of all teaching to the highest level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during indoor and outdoor activities 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 proprietor and manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery proprietor and manager and the second nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. A range of robust policies and procedures are accessible in the setting and evident in practice. For example, policies relating to sickness and the administration of medication are closely followed. Staff, at all levels, demonstrate a very good understanding of their role to keep children safe. Effective systems are in place for monitoring children's progress and highlighting any gaps in their learning, which are planned for. Staff are deployed well and the quality of their practice is regularly reviewed. Recruitment, induction and supervision systems ensure that staff are suitable and get the support they need to develop new skills. Regular staff meetings are used to promote good practice.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Teaching is good and sometimes outstanding. Where it is outstanding, staff use a range of effective strategies to enhance children's learning to the highest level. Pre-school children are challenged to think about the behaviour of characters in a story and demonstrate excellent comprehension. They use reasoning and draw on evidence as they share their thoughts and offer imaginative answers to questions. Babies access a range of attractively displayed sensory materials and develop an interest in the world around them. They listen intently to songs and rhymes, smiling and making eye contact with staff. Older children spend regular time in the nearby forest area. They develop a real interest in the natural world and begin to understand how to care for the environment. Observations are used to make accurate assessments of children's progress. Individual records of learning are shared with parents at twice-yearly progress meetings.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff warmly welcome families as they arrive in the setting. Children form strong bonds with their key person, who they confidently go to for support and comfort. Staff promote independence well. Children can easily access their water containers or pour water from jugs that are kept at their height. They learn about healthy eating and are provided with hot and cold nutritious meals. When children are unwell, staff contact parents swiftly and ensure children are comfortable. Physical development is promoted well. Children move freely between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Outdoors, they confidently negotiate spaces and transport objects as they build with natural materials. Shade and shelter are provided to ensure children are protected from the weather. Staff help children to understand and celebrate differences and be kind and considerate to each other.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make at least good progress in their learning. They develop the knowledge and skills they need to cope extremely well as they move between rooms and on to school. Babies develop muscle strength and balance as they practise walking with support. Two-year-old children show excitement as they look carefully at cocoons. They paint pictures of butterflies make predictions and talk about patterns. Pre-school children confidently retell stories using sometimes complex, descriptive language.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY447506 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 1136860 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 - 5 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 76 Name of registered person Anne-Marie Webster

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 February 2013 Telephone number 07968033444 or 07817853935

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reference number

Little Learners (Galgate) Nursery and Preschool registered in 2012. The setting employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, the proprietor and manager holds qualified teacher status, early years professional status and a master’s degree; five other staff are qualified teachers, one holds an appropriate qualification at level 4 and six hold qualifications at level 3. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am 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

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

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