Little Explorers Nursery

Inspection of Little Explorers Nursery Little Explorers Day Care Nursery, 230 Wales Road, Kiveton Park, SHEFFIELD S26 5RE

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children love their time at the nursery. They delight in every aspect. Children endlessly explore and investigate the many imaginative activities the staff organise for them. They are confident, thriving learners who show high levels of curiosity. They settle quickly, eager to participate in their chosen activity. Children feel safe and secure and this underpins their learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff plan the exciting environments and continually review the impact these have on children's independent learning. For example, children are encouraged to use their imagination and problem-solving skills and work collaboratively as they construct a car from recyclable materials such as tubes, chains and wheels. Staff expertly encourage children to gain resilience for their learning, to see a task to its completion through trial and error. For example, children work out how best to thread the chains through the holes to join the wheels together.

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The provision is outstanding

Managers and staff carefully observe and rigorously track children's progress. They use the information highly effectively to set targets and plan next steps. There is a strong focus on developing children's communication and language skills. For example, the superb use of sign language supports those children with limited communication skills. Staff's use of excellent questioning helps children to extend and challenge these skills. For example, children are encouraged to describe the sound made by various objects hidden in an exploration box. They delight in finding words for themselves, such as 'crunch', 'snip', 'click', 'shake' and 'ding'.

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need to do better?

n The staff expertly increase the level of challenge and frequency of adult-focused activities. This ensures older children are well prepared for the move to school. For example, they take part in phonics sessions (letters and the sounds they represent) to learn the importance of listening well, to use words to describe sounds and to evaluate their own performances. Staff skilfully take every opportunity to extend conversations and activities to challenge children's thinking. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make huge strides forward in their learning due to the excellent teaching. Staff have an unwavering commitment to making sure that they achieve the highest outcomes possible. n The manager takes an extremely active role within the nursery and fully supports the team of very enthusiastic and devoted staff. They have participated in a wide range of training to further update their already excellent skills and

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need to do better?

knowledge. They use and adapt the latest initiatives to achieve exceptionally high levels of progress. For example, following recent training, staff have refined ways in which they develop children's interest in literacy and mark making. This

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need to do better?

1 October 2019 has been particularly effective in arousing children's interest, especially that of boys. n Staff are inspirational role models, and children are exceptionally polite and behave impeccably. Children follow instructions precisely, and quickly respond to any requests from adults. They willingly approach staff for comfort and support, knowing they will receive plenty of reassurance. n The outdoor environment provides children with stimulating learning experiences, which are of a remarkable quality. There are a myriad of opportunities for children to read, write and develop their number skills as well as their confidence and risk taking. All children access this area together and enjoy the variety that it brings. They laugh and chat to each other as they investigate pouring water down pipes, watching carefully as it flows away. n Parents are very enthusiastic to share highly positive feedback about the

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need to do better?

nursery. They are involved in their children's learning at every stage. Information is continually shared to encourage and support learning at home. This partnership contributes greatly to the children's success at the nursery. n Staff encourage children to develop extremely healthy lifestyles and meet their dietary requirements very well. Children are taught about the importance of good dental hygiene. They benefit greatly from the large open areas in the indoor and outdoor spaces that encourage physical activity. For example, children are able to participate and enjoy activities such as 'hide and seek' in the garden and musical movement inside. n The manager and the deputy manager are highly experienced leaders. They steer their staff extremely well and provide excellent support to maintain the highest quality of teaching and learning. They demonstrate and role model the activities and initiatives they would like to introduce.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a broad understanding of wider safeguarding issues. They have extensive knowledge of how to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and they understand fully the procedures to follow to ensure children are safe. Staff consistently implement the manager's robust policies and procedures. Rigorous risk assessments ensure that children's health, safety and well-being are fully promoted. Robust recruitment and selection procedures are in place to ensure that the staff who work with the children are suitable to do so.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY481268 Local authority Rotherham Inspection number 10071874 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 11 Total number of places 59 Number of children on roll 111

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Name of registered person

Little Explorers Day Care Nursery (Rotherham) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01909 774752 Date of previous inspection 21 December 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Little Explorers Nursery registered in 2014. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 4 or above, and all other staff hold qualifications from level 2 upwards. Two members of staff hold qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm all year round, except for one week at the end of May and one week at Christmas. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and the manager carried out a learning walk of the premises to find out how the curriculum and early years provision are organised. n The inspector observed activities and the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The views of parents were sought, and the inspector spoke with staff and children at convenient times. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the provider, deputy manager and staff. n Relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working at the setting were reviewed.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

1 October 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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