Little Explorers Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Explorers Day Nursery 205 Knighton Road, LEICESTER LE2 3TT

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children play in a stimulating, attractive and well-organised environment. The unique resources available instantly spark children's curiosity. Babies explore vibrant, sparkly items and stack large wooden rings. Older children use their senses to investigate different textures. They cut up real fruit and vegetables, add water and herbs to dough as they make pretend cupcakes.

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and settle quickly. Staff warmly welcome them to the homely and nurturing environment. Children follow good hygiene routines that help to support their general health. For example, all children brush their teeth after lunch, which contributes to their dental care and future well-being.

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The provision is good

Children thrive on staff's high expectations of them. Supported by staff, the children who are 'garden spies' put on high visibility vests and carry their clipboard to check the garden for risks and hazards. This encourages children to learn about how to keep themselves safe. Children are encouraged to be independent and take manageable risks. Staff teach the youngest children how to negotiate stairs correctly and safely.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They know what is expected from them. Staff offer gentle reminders to babies to share toys. Children develop good social skills and play happily with their friends. This is particularly evident in the over two's room and in the garden where children of all ages play harmoniously together.

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need to do better?

n The manager is a strong and knowledgeable leader who has high expectations for staff performance and outcomes for children. She is ably supported by the company. Staff morale is high. The management company offers staff 'well- being reviews' and incentives to ensure they feel supported in their roles. n The company provide staff with a comprehensive programme of professional development. Staff enhance their knowledge and experience through attending bespoke opportunities that link directly to the needs of the nursery. Recent training has inspired staff to develop their resources to include more items that can be used in a variety of ways. Children benefit from the creative and motivated staff team. n Staff plan their curriculum around the interests and learning needs of children. There is a strong key-person approach and staff know their individual key children very well. They recognise their strengths and know what they need to

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need to do better?

learn next. Staff plan activities and enhance the environment to support and encourage children's development. n Staff successfully provide opportunities for children that they may not experience

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need to do better?

19 February 2020 at home. For instance, innovative messy play that links to children's interests. Following a visit to the zoo, children enjoyed exploring pretend animals in sand indoors. Another example is that from a young age, children learn to use sign language alongside the spoken word. n Staff form secure emotional attachments with children. Babies receive plenty of reassurance from attentive staff. Toddlers greet key people from their previous room with a big hug. Older children genuinely welcome staff into their play. Staff kindly ask children for permission to help them with care tasks such as changing their nappy or wiping their nose. n Staff follow children's requests when they ask to have access to outdoor play. Some children choose to play outdoors most of the session, this includes when it is raining. Children are thoroughly engaged and busy as they explore painting with sticks and making pretend cakes with sand in the mud kitchen. Children are

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need to do better?

excited when staff use mixture to blow bubbles into the air, and they chase around, giggling as they try to catch them. This contributes very well to their health and well-being and their developing physical skills. n Staff sit closely with children and, overall, guide them well as they play and explore. Children are highly active learners and they are very motivated to become involved in activities. However, occasionally, staff interrupt children's thought processes as they play by asking too many questions. They do not give them consistent opportunities to make their own discoveries and investigate things for themselves. n Staff use fictional and factual books creatively throughout the day. They read stories in an engaging and animated way. Staff ask children questions about what they think might happen next. In addition, staff encourage children to look for animals in magazines. Staff then share facts about these animals to increase

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need to do better?

children's knowledge. This helps children to develop their literacy skills and learn that words carry meaning. n Staff have very well-established links with parents. They provide them with superb opportunities to continue their children's learning at home. For example, by sharing home learning packs. Parents benefit from the nursery lending library, which enables children to borrow books from the nursery to read at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of child protection issues. Staff are aware of procedures to follow if they have any concerns regarding a child or a member of staff. The manager regularly quizzes staff to keep their safeguarding knowledge refreshed. Staff have a good awareness of wider safeguarding issues and the 'Prevent' duty. The company follow robust recruitment processes to help assure the suitability of adults working with children. New staff receive appropriate training during induction so that they understand their roles and responsibilities.

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should:

n support staff to provide children with more time and opportunities, to make their own discoveries and investigate things for themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479189 Local authority Leicester Inspection number 10076129 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 29 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Leicestershire Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01162706916 Date of previous inspection 9 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Little Explorers Day Nursery registered in 2014. The nursery is in Leicester. They open from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed all areas of the nursery and discussed the curriculum with the manager and staff. n The inspector observed the quality of education 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 two joint observations with the nursery manager. n The inspector held a meeting with two members of the senior management team and the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector accepted written feedback from parents and spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

19 February 2020 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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