Little Lambs

Inspection of Little Lambs Scouts Hut, 70 The Ridings, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO2 0UF

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children demonstrate they are happy and settled in the nursery. Babies are keen to have cuddles with familiar adults on arrival and are eager to begin their day. Older children show a sense of belonging as they happily settle into their chosen play.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are keen to be independent. Babies learn to feed themselves with spoons and are praised and encouraged by staff. Older children unwrap their food at lunchtime and successfully open pots with little support from staff. These experiences help prepare children well for their next stage in development. The nursery has a doll called 'Stuart' who supports children to listen to others' feelings and have the confidence to share their own thoughts. He is a popular member of the nursery and helps children to develop respect for others' views and opinions.

p.2

The provision is good

Children benefit from meaningful learning opportunities across the well-organised nursery environment. The youngest babies confidently make choices during their play; staff members are close by to offer support. Babies gravitate to the musical instruments. They show happiness as they beam with smiles and shake their instruments to the music. Older children are eager to use available resources to support their role play ideas. For instance, they play pirates and use their imaginative skills to create fabulous stories of what happens on a pirate ship.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well. They show care and consideration for others and demonstrate they enjoy playing alongside others and together. For instance, younger children show fascination as they use pipettes to collect bubbly water and sponges to absorb the water. They show persistence as they squeeze the water from the sponge. Children offer indirect encouragement to each other as they laugh. This supports children to develop good small-muscle strength and promotes positive social skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders have a clear vision for the intention of children's learning. They understand the age and stage of development of all children and use their knowledge to influence the experiences children receive. For instance, staff focus heavily on building bonds with babies to support their personal, social and emotional skills. This supports babies to settle well. Older children are supported well to gain early literacy skills as they confidently retell familiar stories and are eager to share their thoughts and feelings about books of interest. This promotes good vocabulary. n Staff plan for children's interests well and adapt activities when necessary. Babies hesitate to join in with messy activities; staff respectfully follow their wishes and engage in an activity of choice. Babies develop confidence to try new

p.2

need to do better?

18 August 2021 experiences in their own time and are motivated to have a go. n Staff use assessment to review children's progress and identify any gaps in their development. This supports children to make good progress. However, occasionally, staff do not identify what specific skills they intend for children to learn next, to ensure they make rapid progress. n Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills in the well- equipped outdoor space. The space allows children to move freely. For instance, children successfully lift and move wooden planks together to build a boat to support their imaginary play. n Leaders and staff build positive relationships with parents. They invest time in getting to know families to ensure they can successfully support their children. Parents echo this as they talk positively about the support their children receive. Many children attend this setting despite the distance from their homes.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders work well together to provide a culture of high standards, which they support staff to deliver successfully. This includes how children's behaviour is nurtured. Leaders expectations are communicated well. Staff feel supported and talk positively about the in-depth induction and ongoing support. However, there are times where communication is not fully effective. For instance, some information about children is not shared with staff that work on different days. This, at times, prevents consistency and staff from being well prepared for the day ahead.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff are fully aware of the settings safeguarding policies and procedures. They know how to recognise if a child could be at risk of harm and the swift action that they must take. The manager takes the lead for safeguarding and has a robust knowledge of her roles and responsibilities to offer advice and support for staff. There are effective risk assessments in place to ensure children are safe; these are reviewed on an ongoing basis. These include monitoring sleeping babies regularly.

p.3

should:

n review methods of communication so that all information about children is shared effectively to ensure a smooth running of the nursery n enhance how assessment is used to plan what children need to learn next to promote rapid progress.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2585693 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 10204064 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Robinson, Sally Ann

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07305364326 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Lambs registered in 2020 and is based in Portsmouth, Hampshire. The nursery operates for 51 weeks of the year, from 8am until 4pm. The nursery employs seven members of staff who have appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 3. The nursery receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and the deputy manager carried out a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised for all ages of children. n One joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager to observe the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with children, staff and parents at appropriate times throughout the inspection to gain their views of the nursery. n The inspector looked at a sample of documentation. This included policies and procedures, and suitability checks of staff. n A leadership meeting was held with the inspector, manager and nursery owner.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

18 August 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6