Dean Close Little Trees Day Nursery, Hucclecote

Inspection of Dean Close Little Trees Day Nursery, Hucclecote 141 Hucclecote Road, Gloucester GL3 3TX

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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

Babies have three playrooms to explore. Younger children have space to lie on the floor and reach for the toys hanging from mobiles. Another room provides soft play and a ball pit so that babies can practise crawling, rolling and walking. In the final room, low-level storage units have accessible toys and resources. Babies find the toy animals and hold them out to staff. Staff name them and make sounds for the babies to copy, helping them to learn new words.

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The provision is good

Leaders and managers have a new curriculum that focusses on natural resources and children's curiosity. Toddlers are the first age group to enjoy this. They have two newly decorated rooms as part of the nursery's makeover. A role-play room has kitchen units, a cosy 'lounge' area with cushions, fake log stools, a sofa and books. A forest wall scene creates a calm outdoor atmosphere indoors. Toddlers have real China cups and plates, as well as natural wood utensils to extend sensory play experiences.

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The provision is good

Pre-school children have their own separate building and outdoor area. Outdoors, children explore the trees, planks and tyres. They practise climbing, build obstacle courses, manage risks and develop physical skills. Mud kitchens let children be messy and imaginative. Children take the outdoors, indoors. For example, they play with a tray filled with mud, which has toy insects, such as spiders and worms, hidden in it. Children find the insects and say that they are like the ones they saw outdoors. Children are making connections and gaining an understanding of the world.

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need to do better?

n The manager is working on improving standards across the nursery since the last inspection. There has been a focus on improving teaching and keeping children safe. Staff provide stimulating and engaging learning environments. They use children's interests to engage them in learning. Babies eagerly fill different pots with cereal. They use their hands as well as spoons to put the cereal into the pots. Staff offer words such as 'crunch' and 'crackle' as children play. They support children to use all their senses, such as tasting the cereal. Children remain focused as staff offer praise and encouragement. n Older children make connections, recall past events, and develop skills for moving on to school. For example, they remember celebrations and events from stories. They use magnetic blocks to make a birthday cake and walking stick. They choose the different shapes to make the crook of the walking stick and the

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need to do better?

tapered end of 'candles'. Others explore printed sheets. They count the number of circles on the printed body of a caterpillar before writing the number next to it. They trace and write letters, telling staff what sound the letter has. They

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need to do better?

21 January 2022 recognise which ones are in their names. n Staff working with the babies and pre-school children do not provide clear messages to help all children, including those with special educational needs and/ or disabilities, understand expectations. For example, when staff have told children it is time to put away the toys, some children continue playing. Staff respond to children's play requests and forget to encourage them to help tidy up. Children receive mixed messages and are not sure of what to do. n Children's behaviour is good. They show care and concern for others and their play spaces. For example, pre-school children take turns using the dustpan and brush to clear up soil that has spilt on the floor. Toddlers hand each other rolling pins when playing with the dough. Staff offer timely reminders for babies when they try to snatch toys from each other. They remind them to be kind to others

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need to do better?

and to wait for their turn. n Staff working with the toddlers respond well to children's ideas. For example, they add dinosaurs and toy vehicles as children play with the dough. Children make dinosaur footprints in the dough, use diggers to scoop dough off the table, and make a traffic jam along the floor with the toy vehicles. Staff working with the other ages sometimes miss quieter children. For example, some children wander around the room or sit quietly at the side of a group activity. As staff are concentrating on other children, they miss chances to engage all the children in the activities. n Partnerships with parents are good. Staff from the different rooms make sure that they greet parents and children at drop-off times in the morning. Key persons talk with parents at the end of the day to tell them about children's day, including any new learning. Staff identify children who may need extra help.

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need to do better?

They work in partnership with parents and other professionals to support children's development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Since the last inspection, the manager has prioritised training on safeguarding for all staff. She has updated her own knowledge for managing allegations and keeping children safe. All staff have completed training for child protection and wider safeguarding procedures. Staff know what to do in the event of concerns about children. Staff who are new to the nursery, including temporary staff, complete a robust induction. The manager makes sure that all staff keep mobile phones locked in the office when they are working. Staff understand that they must not upload anything about the nursery to social media sites.

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should:

21 January 2022 n improve staff support for all children in ways that enhance learning and development n provide clear and consistent messages for all children to help them understand expectations.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY553142 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10217849 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 63 Number of children on roll 73 Name of registered person Dean Close Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07867382507 Date of previous inspection 18 August 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Dean Close Little Trees Day Nursery, Hucclecote registered in November 2017. The nursery offers care from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays. The setting employs 19 staff, of whom 18 work directly with the children. Two members of staff hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 6. Nine members of staff hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3 and five members of staff hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 2. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity in the baby room with the manager. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at nursery.

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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

21 January 2022 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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