Little Learners Day Nursery

Inspection of Early Learners Nursery (Middlewich) Booth Lane, MIDDLEWICH, Cheshire CW10 0JL

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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 arrive eagerly at the nursery and are happy to be greeted by staff at the door. They confidently wave goodbye to their parents and carers and quickly become engaged in their chosen activities. Parents are currently unable to access the nursery as they would normally due to new drop-off and collection arrangements governed by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. However, this has not had a negative impact on children or their families. Staff have focused intently on supporting children's emotional well-being and social interactions during this time. When new children join the nursery, they offer lots of cuddles and reassurance when needed and gather detailed information from parents to help them to settle. Subsequently, children have very close relationships with staff. Children continuously demonstrate that they feel safe and secure and are inquisitive and motivated to learn. They play happily together and behave well.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children and skilfully build on what they already know and can do. Children independently select resources, and staff carefully follow children's individual interests. They plan meaningful experiences for them to enjoy. For example, children have recently been talking about the tooth fairy. Staff have created a fairy garden for children to explore and use this to help deepen children's imaginative skills. Children talk excitedly about what a fairy can do, where a fairy might live and how they have wings to help them to fly.

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need to do better?

n Children enjoy playing together and quickly form positive friendships as they seek each other out to join in their imaginary play. Staff model what to do and are sure to include all children in the group. They ask children what their favourite foods are and encourage others to listen as they pretend to go to the shop to buy pizza and ice cream. n Staff nurture children's confidence and willingness to have a go. For example, when getting ready for sleep time, children are encouraged to try and take their shoes off independently. Staff continually congratulate children on their efforts. This helps children to feel valued and encourages them to try hard and attempt new things as they build on their existing skills and knowledge. n Children's behaviour is good. Staff use strategies to help children to understand right from wrong. For instance, they offer gentle reminders to share. Furthermore, they encourage children to think about how they can solve their

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need to do better?

own conflicts when using resources. Children are keen to help tidy away toys and demonstrate their understanding of routine and the nursery rules. They are able to follow instructions well, and quickly respond as staff play the 'tidy-up song'. n Overall, staff support the communication and language development of children.

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need to do better?

6 July 2021 They share stories and engage in purposeful discussions with children throughout the day. Staff working with babies use single words and repetition to help reinforce children's understanding. However, on occasions, staff working with the 'tweenies' do not make the best use of questioning skills. Their eagerness means that children do not always have enough time to express their own thoughts and ideas. n Children enjoy learning about the world around them. Older children participate in activities that deepen their understanding of people and communities. For example, children learn about special celebrations and make links to their own experiences. Babies and toddlers explore familiar animals, and staff talk to them about the animals that they might see at the zoo or the farm. However, staff do not always model the correct pronunciation of words when introducing animal names to young children.

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need to do better?

n Leaders monitor the quality of the nursery well. They continually reflect on ways to improve the provision further. For example, they have recently implemented a revised planning system to help further improve outcomes for children. Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings. They have opportunities to discuss their workload, practice and training needs. n Parents speak very highly of the nursery. They describe how much their children look forward to coming to the nursery and how they have made good progress since attending. Parents value the online system that leaders have implemented. They appreciate the daily updates from staff about sleep routines, meals and activities. As a result, they feel that they are kept well informed and that communication is a strength of the nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff complete regular safeguarding training to help them to understand their role and responsibility in protecting children from harm. They confidently describe referral procedures and who to report to should they have concerns about a colleague's practice. Leaders implement effective procedures to make sure that children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. They execute recruitment, selection and induction procedures for new staff and closely monitor staff practice. Leaders ensure that legal ratios are maintained and that staff deploy themselves effectively so that children are closely supervised. Staff carefully follow procedures for sharing information with other agencies and ensure that documentation is completed thoroughly.

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should:

n provide staff with guidance to improve their knowledge on how to consistently

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should:

6 July 2021 use skilful questioning techniques to support children's developing communication skills n strengthen staff's understanding of the importance of modelling language for young children and ensure that they use the correct pronunciation of words.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY458157 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10198833 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

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inspection

Total number of places 108 Number of children on roll 86 Name of registered person Early Learners Nursery (Middlewich) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01606841174 Date of previous inspection 4 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Early Learners Nursery (Middlewich) registered in 2012. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications, including three at level 2, seven at level 3 and one at level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The manager discussed the curriculum intent and how the provision is organised during a learning walk with the inspector. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint evaluation of an activity. n A meeting was held with the inspector, manager, area manager and nominated individual. The inspector reviewed a variety of documents, including qualifications, first-aid certificates and policies. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children during activities and assessed the impact of teaching on children's learning.

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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

6 July 2021 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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