Little Explorers Community Nursery

Little Explorers Community Nursery Blackerhill Centre, Wentworth Road, Blackerhill, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S74 0RL

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Inspection date 5 December 2018 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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 managers provide ambitious and innovative leadership to this strongly developing nursery. They work well with staff and parents to create a challenging and caring learning environment. n Children achieve well in all areas of their learning from their personal starting points. Staff accurately assess children's progress and plan exciting activities to help them reach the next steps in their learning. n Staff create many opportunities for children to interact with the world around them and develop the knowledge and skills for their future learning. For example, children explore natural objects in woodland and muddy areas, safely climb trees and develop their problem-solving skills through outdoor play and visits. n Staff are very good role models to the children in their care. They make good use of praise and clear guidance to support children's good behaviour and growing confidence. n Parents welcome the many opportunities to be involved in the life of the nursery

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This provision is good

through, for example, the parents' forum and the family social activities, including bonfire night celebrations. They are well informed about their children's progress and daily experiences. n Procedures to develop all staff's performance further are not focused sharply on continually raising the quality of teaching. n Staff do not consistently support children to develop their independent organisational skills as effectively as possible.

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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 build on procedures to improve all staff's performance to sharply focus on continually enhancing the quality of teaching n strengthen strategies to encourage children to develop their independence skills.

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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 completed joint observations with a nursery manager. n The inspector completed joint observations with the nursery managers. n The inspector held meetings with the managers. He looked at relevant documentation, such as the evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The managers ensure that staff take advantage of training on all aspects of protecting children from harm. They regularly challenge staff to deepen their knowledge through frequent 'spot quizzes' and staff meeting discussions. The managers have robust policies to make sure that information about children, including digital records, is responsibly managed. The managers take full advantage of research and training, often in partnership with the local authority. This helps them to develop the rich curriculum they provide, including technology and 'loose parts' creative projects. The managers listen carefully to the views of staff, parents and children to evaluate and improve the nursery. For example, they regularly involve children in helping to construct a balanced menu for their lunchtime meals.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make good use of additional funding and support, to help children achieve their best. For example, they work closely with specialist educational professionals to help children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to achieve well. Staff are imaginative and have high expectations overall. For example, they help children to measure and compare lengths of beads when they decorate their colourful Christmas tree. Staff help babies and young children explore the language and properties of ice and cold water in their sensory play. They enrich children's imagination through well-told stories, songs and rhymes. Staff plan activities carefully to match the constantly developing range of children's interests. Children learn to initiate their own activities and imaginary worlds through the well resourced role-play and dressing-up opportunities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff work closely with parents and carers to help children settle quickly and smoothly into nursery life. They accurately identify any signs that children are not settling in and plan activities to overcome this. Children develop their social skills well. Staff nurture babies' early self-confidence, for example, by involving them in group activities, such as listening to action songs and following stories together. Children are encouraged to listen to others and to take turns, for example, when they play number and counting games. The staff strongly encourage children's awareness of good hygiene and healthy eating. They encourage children to regularly wash their hands. Parents comment that the staff provide good support for their children's toilet training routines.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are well prepared for the next stage of their education, including their move to school. They make good progress in their language and communication skills. Children develop their early reading and writing skills well through imaginative activities. For example, they enjoy making marks in the large muddy and wet sand play areas. They identify letters from their own name when they hang their coats on their own pegs at the start of the day. Staff encourage children to develop their interests. For example, children learn the names of dinosaurs by matching the models to their pictures.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY536958 Local authority Barnsley Inspection number 10067463 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 26 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Little Explorers Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01226740878

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reference number

Little Explorers Community Nursery registered in 2016. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff, nine of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or higher, including two at level 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for one week at Christmas. 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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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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