Little Plums Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Plums Day Nursery Bath Street, Mansfield NG18 1BA

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is outstanding

Children's individuality is fully respected. Staff know the children exceptionally well and have formed strong attachments to them. Children feel safe and happy and are brimming with confidence. Their behaviour is exemplary.

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The provision is outstanding

The dedicated provider has worked tirelessly to improve the provision. For example, she has worked closely with outside professionals, staff and parents to reflect over every aspect of nursery life. The new manager is extremely passionate and committed and demonstrates a robust knowledge of early years care and education. The way he leads, coaches and inspires staff is highly effective.

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The provision is outstanding

Children develop detailed knowledge and outstanding skills across the seven areas of learning. They play with qualified staff who have high expectations for them. Staff set clear and ambitious targets alongside parents for their key children. For example, babies develop excellent early independence skills. They feed themselves confidently using a spoon and drink from a cup. Children explore a curriculum that is tailored to meet their individual learning needs. Teachers skilfully lead planned activities that capture children's curiosity and imagination. For example, children are encouraged to hunt for tinfoil balls in the sand. This ignites toddlers' natural urge to explore and investigate. Children demonstrate their excellent language skills as they play. They discuss the word 'suddenly' and the meaning of this as they read a book alongside staff. Toddlers learn and use the word 'pyramid' as they build these in the sand.

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need to do better?

n Staff receive opportunities for professional development that are tailored to them. This helps to ensure the quality of education delivered remains high and benefits all children. For example, training, guidance and coaching on behaviour management have led to a greatly improved understanding of children's behaviour and how to further enhance their engagement in activities. Staff use their highly effective teaching strategies to interact, engage and enthuse children. Children are deeply engaged, motivated learners who behave exceptionally well. n Staff demonstrate an extremely strong commitment to working with parents, carers and other professionals. They work creatively to engage all parents in their child's learning. New initiatives enhance partnership working with parents. For example, children enthusiastically take 'Dexter the dog' home to share their home experiences and to help staff build on these back at nursery. A monthly

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need to do better?

'homework challenge' helps to strengthen children's learning at home. n Staff's interactions with children are highly effective to motivate children and help them to become resilient learners. Children persist in tasks that are difficult.

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need to do better?

24 October 2019 For example, at snack time, some pre-school children struggled to peel an orange, but supportive staff offer praise and encouragement which helps them to complete the task they had set out to do. Children are very proud, telling others that they did it themselves and offering to peel friends' oranges. n Monitoring of staff's observations and assessments is robust. The manager uses this to help him to monitor groups of children's development. Swift action is taken to address any gaps in children's learning. For example, he identified a gap in mathematics with pre-school girls. Training around this was given to staff, alongside coaching. Assessments completed the following term show this area has rapidly improved. Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language, make the best possible progress. n Staff take great care to ensure that children eat healthily, stay hydrated and

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need to do better?

have opportunities to rest or sleep. They provide excellent opportunities for children to build on their existing physical skills in the garden. When it is cold, children understand the importance of wearing appropriate clothing. Young toddlers show high levels of respect and consideration for their friends as they help them to put on a hat and scarf so they 'don't get cold'. n Children thoroughly enjoy listening to stories and singing songs with staff. They seek out staff to share their favourite books. Babies wave their arms with delight when 'Barry' the puppet comes out to sing with them. Children develop a love of language and literacy through these activities. n Staff provide rich and diverse opportunities for children to learn about their community and the world around them. For example, children enjoy tasting sweets from the Diwali party. They learn all about the festival of light and talk about Rangoli patterns. Children are excited and inquisitive to learn about

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need to do better?

people who are different from themselves.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a robust understanding of the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child's welfare. They have attended training to support them in recognising the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. Staff fully understand their responsibilities to prevent children being drawn into situations that may put them at risk. They confidently describe the action they would take if they had concerns regarding a colleague's practice. Robust recruitment procedures are in place. These are followed by extensive, ongoing induction processes that support staff to have an excellent understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY553716 Local authority Nottinghamshire County Council Inspection number 10093533 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 62 Number of children on roll 71 Name of registered person Little Bath's Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01623272730 Date of previous inspection 17 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Plums Day Nursery registered in 2017 and is situated in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and one holds level 2. The nursery opens from 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday, except for a week at Christmas and on bank holidays. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a tour of the setting with the nursery manager. During this, the manager discussed changes he had made since the previous inspection and how staff implement the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed by the inspector and the nursery manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and the provider. They discussed how they reflect and evaluate on the nursery and staff's teaching. The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Several parents spoke to the inspector during the inspection and written feedback was also left for the inspector. Parents' views were taken into account. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.

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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

24 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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