Little Joeys Nursery

Inspection of Little Joeys Nursery Unit 7/8, Merlin Way, Bowerhill, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6TJ

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

All children are happy, settled and form strong bonds with staff. They show positive attitudes towards learning and engage in a broad range of interesting activities. Older children thoroughly enjoy the challenge of jumping onto a number mat 'island' or the climbing frame to escape from the sharks in the 'sea'. Children benefit from opportunities to explore sensory and natural materials to develop their understanding of the world. Babies were keen to explore paint with their hands and toddlers used junk resources to make prints.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages behave well. Older children show care and kindness towards others. Babies and toddlers learn to take turns, for example, as they share tools and cutters during dough play. Staff are good role models and provide children with clear explanations to help them understand expectations, such as warnings before tidy-up time.

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The provision is good

Children gain skills in readiness for school. They become independent and confident. They make choices in their play, develop friendships and engage in conversations with adults. Older children concentrated well as they listened to environmental sounds and matched the sound to a photograph. Staff extended the learning effectively by encouraging children to make comparisons between the different sounds and pictures. Staff provide a print-rich environment to support children's literacy skills. Older children begin to form recognisable letters and some can write their names.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the management team has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of the provision. The team swiftly implemented a new system to develop staff skills. This includes regular observations of staff practice, role modelling, coaching, mentoring and training, one-to-one support meetings with targeted actions and peer-on-peer observations. Staff feel well supported in their role. As a result, the quality of teaching is now good across the nursery. n The management team now monitors assessments of children's progress to ensure that they are accurate and identify any gaps in children's learning. The special educational needs coordinator implements individual plans to help children to catch up, working with other professionals as required. Staff now identify relevant next steps that build on what children know and can do. They use children's interests to plan purposeful and challenging activities across the

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need to do better?

curriculum. This helps children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to make good progress from their starting points. n Children benefit from a language-rich environment. Staff talk to children constantly. They introduce new words to extend vocabulary, repeat back what

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need to do better?

4 November 2019 children say correctly and use signs to reinforce understanding. Staff ask children effective questions to extend learning, such as 'why?' and 'what would happen if?' All children develop their communication and language skills, including those learning English as an additional language. n Children develop a love of books. For example, babies and toddlers were captivated during the 'bear hunt' story. Staff encouraged children successfully to join in with the actions and simple phrases. Children develop their imaginations. Younger children explore the toy kitchen and pretend to wash their hands under the tap. Older children focus intently as they construct a house and talk about the features of the monster who lives there. Staff weave mathematics into children's play and routines. For example, babies and toddlers laugh in delight as they splash in puddles and staff encourage them to make 'big' and 'little' jumps.

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need to do better?

Staff support older children well to count, recognise shapes and numerals, and make simple calculations. n Staff support children's emotional well-being effectively. Sleep and care routines meet children's individual needs. Staff provide children with plenty of praise to promote confidence and self-esteem. However, staff do not consistently make the best use of the time available for the youngest children to play. During some daily routines, babies and toddlers are left waiting too long and become restless. n Children benefit from healthy snacks and meals, and regular outdoor play in all weathers. Staff plan and provide activities and resources that promote all curriculum areas outdoors. Children experimented with paint, glue and glitter, using their hands, wellington boots and brushes, to create large-scale artwork. Children demonstrate good physical skills and negotiate space well. Staff teach children to pedal tricycles and encourage them to keep on trying. Children glow

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need to do better?

with pride when they succeed. n Staff build good partnerships with parents and involve them in their children's learning. However, the management team recognises the need to extend opportunities to support children's use of their individual languages further, and to reflect children's different family backgrounds and cultural traditions in activities. Parents speak positively about the manager and staff. They like the recent changes that have been made to the nursery layout. They appreciate the regular feedback they receive about their children's day and progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Since the last inspection, the manager has attended safer recruitment training and has updated and implemented recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff inform parents if their child has had an accident at the nursery and of any first-aid treatment given. The manager has ensured that all staff have refreshed their knowledge and understanding of child protection and wider safeguarding issues. Staff know what to do if they have any concerns about a child or staff member or if an allegation is made. Staff carry out regular checks to risk assess the learning environments and take action to minimise hazards to keep children safe.

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should:

n review daily routines for the youngest children to make the best use of time for their play and learning n extend partnerships with parents to help support children's individual languages and cultural backgrounds more effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 145794 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10119394 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 4 Total number of places 64 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Boomerang Holdings Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01225 458636 Date of previous inspection 23 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Joeys Nursery registered in 2012. It is situated on the industrial estate at Bowerhill, near Melksham. The nursery opens on Monday from 7.30am to 6pm, and Tuesday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, all year round, with the exception of bank holidays and one week over the Christmas and New Year period. There are eight staff at the nursery, including the manager, seven of whom hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector conducted a learning walk and a tour of the premises with the manager. n The inspector observed the quality of the staff interactions with children, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector held discussions with the manager, deputy managers and staff at appropriate times. The inspector talked to parents and children and considered their views. n The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including staff records, children's records and some policies and procedures.

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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

4 November 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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