Little Tots Academy

Little Tots Academy 25 - 27 Sherburn Terrace, CONSETT, County Durham DH8 6ND

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Inspection date 23 November 2018 Previous inspection date 15 February 2018

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires improvement Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision is good

n The manager has high expectations and sets a clear focus for future developments. She is ambitious for all children to learn in a stimulating environment and achieve well. She is supported by well-qualified and enthusiastic staff. n Staff play alongside children and support them to learn a range of basic skills. For example, pre-school children show high levels of concentration as staff build upon their interests and show them how to use a tablet to support their learning. n Clear self-evaluation shows there is continuous improvement in the quality of care and education provided for all children. This demonstrates the manager's drive and commitment to improve outcomes for children and families. Action plans are focused, detailed and support continual improvements to practice. n Staff are friendly and welcoming. The well-established key-person system successfully helps to support children's emotional development. Children form secure attachments

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This provision is good

with staff. n Occasionally, staff do not implement highly effective strategies to support children to manage their behaviour, emotions and feelings. n The arrangements to observe and develop the quality of teaching are not fully embedded, to improve the overall quality of practice to outstanding levels.

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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

n ensure that all staff consistently implement highly effective strategies to support children to manage their behaviour, emotions and feelings n embed and extend opportunities for monitoring and developing the quality of teaching.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Since the last inspection, there have been significant improvements to practice. For example, close scrutiny of children's progress supports the manager and staff to identify where there are gaps in achievement for individual children and between different groups of children. Successful partnership working means children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported very well. Safeguarding is effective. All staff are trained and highly vigilant to recognise the signs and symptoms that may be a cause for concern. They are very clear on the correct reporting procedure to follow. Staff recruitment and vetting procedures are thorough. The manager regularly reviews the ongoing suitability of all staff and identifies training and professional development opportunities during focused supervision sessions.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff effectively support children's communication and language development. They ask children challenging questions and give them time to think and answer. Children enjoy interactions with staff and invite them to join their play. For instance, toddlers respond extremely well to praise from staff as they work together to make aeroplanes using construction resources. Parents contribute to initial assessments of children's starting points and are kept well informed about their children's progress. They are encouraged to share information about their children's learning and development at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children enjoy spending time outdoors where they have opportunities to be physically active and learn new skills, such as balancing and negotiating space. Staff effectively promote children's independence during routines and activities. Older children demonstrate a good understanding of how to use knives safely as they cut vegetables to help prepare food for snack. Staff effectively support children in learning to manage their personal needs and hygiene. They are attentive towards children, who are comfortable and happy throughout the nursery. Staff regularly monitor the learning environments and make effective changes. This contributes towards children being able to explore freely and safely. Children confidently make choices and play with a wide selection of high-quality toys and resources.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are motivated to learn and are willing to try new things and to initiate conversations with adults and one another. They make good progress from their starting points and attain the key skills needed for the next steps in their learning, including for starting school. Gaps in learning are quickly narrowing, including for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY497602 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10080428 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Little Tots Academy Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 February 2018 Telephone number 07802790066

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Little Tots Academy registered in 2016. The setting employs seven members of childcare staff, including the manager. The majority of staff hold childcare qualifications at level 2 and above. The setting opens Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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procedures set out in the guidance Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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.ofsted.gov.uk

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