Little Legs Nursery

Inspection of Little Legs Nursery 6 Rochford Road, Southend-On-Sea SS2 6SP

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision is inadequate

Children are not kept safe. The provider, manager and staff do not take action to reduce or minimise risks to children's safety. For example, there is a large, wooden mirror in the pre-school room that is not secured to the wall and, therefore, is unstable. Children knock the mirror when running past. This impacts on their safety and welfare.

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The provision is inadequate

The environment for pre-school children and toddlers is not adequately stimulating or engaging. The lack of resources to support children's interests impacts on their behaviour and enjoyment of activities. For example, in the garden, there are only two spatulas and a few other toys, such as a plastic toy cement mixer and truck. This leads to children squabbling. The small toddler room is cluttered with numerous tables and other equipment around the edge of the room. This impacts on children's ability to move freely around the room and access the activities that are available. Children do not experience an engaging learning environment. For example, they approach the messy room to paint, the only activity on offer. Children see there is no water available, so scrape at the paint tray to try and get some paint out. They quickly lose interest when this does not work.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Babies settle well and develop the key skills needed for the next stage in their learning. Staff repeat their babbles and encourage them to feed themselves independently. Babies smile with pride when staff praise them for their achievements. Children do enjoy staff reading stories to them; staff use puppets to bring the story to life. Older children are confident to approach visitors and happily engage in conversation about their home lives.

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need to do better?

n The provider has failed to check that the actions set for risk assessment at the last inspection have been addressed. The provider and manager have identified the mirror in the pre-school room as a risk. However, they have not taken action to make it safe for children. Staff's daily checks of the premises are also ineffective. They have also not identified, or taken action to address, this risk to children's safety. n The provider and manager identify some weaknesses in staff practice but they do not take action to address them. For example, they are aware that the toddler room is cluttered and impacting on children's access to resources and enjoyment. However, they have not ensured that action is taken to address this. Consequently, not all children make good progress. n The manager has an understanding of the curriculum. She knows how to use this to support children to make good progress. However, staff do not

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need to do better?

consistently implement this into practice. As a result, not all children receive the

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need to do better?

14 March 2022 quality interactions and experiences they need to be ready for the next stage in their learning. For example, the manager knows the value of staff not interrupting children's play and learning when going into the garden from indoors. This is not followed through by staff. Often, children are moved into the garden away from resources based around their needs or interests. As a result, any learning children are engaged in, is disrupted. n Staff practice is not reviewed or monitored well enough. Staff in the toddler room and pre-school room do not have a good understanding of how children learn. They do not adapt their practice to the different capabilities of children or provide them with challenge in their learning. Staff do not support children to learn things independently. For example, staff take the bowl of play dough away from children and mix it for them. Children watch, with no resources for them to

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need to do better?

experience this for themselves. This impacts on children's ability to make good progress. n Parents are updated on their children's care needs and the activities they have taken part in each day. Parents comment that they are satisfied with the care staff provide. n Some staff in the pre-school room support children's learning. Children engage in a bingo game where they learn to recognise numbers. Pre-school children also learn to recognise letters and their names on their coat pegs. n Staff in the baby room communicate well about children's needs and interests. They have a secure understanding of babies' levels of development and plan effectively for their progress. Staff are sensitive to babies' emotional needs. They reassure them and give words to the emotions they might be feeling.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The provider, manager and staff fail to identify, or take action to address, risks in the nursery to children's safety. However, staff can recognise the signs and symptoms of child abuse and know the action to take if they have a concern. Staff also have a secure knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, such as local drug concerns and extremism. All staff complete regular safeguarding training that keeps their knowledge and skills up to date. The provider has safe recruitment procedures in place. For example, they regularly ask staff questions relating to their ongoing suitability to ensure they remain suitable to work with children.

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Due date

14 March 2022 ensure that the provider, manager and staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, including how to identify and manage risks and how to support children's learning and development effectively 19/04/2022

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Due date

organise the premises in a way that meets the needs of all children 19/04/2022

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Due date

ensure that risk assessments are thorough and identify and manage all risks to children's safety effectively. 19/04/2022

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Due date

consider the needs, interests and development of each child and use this information to plan challenging and enjoyable learning experiences 19/04/2022

p.4

Due date

develop staff's knowledge and understanding of how children learn to ensure that they fully understand how to engage and stimulate children's play and learning. 19/04/2022

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY472435 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10209026 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 30 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Little Legs Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01702808989 Date of previous inspection 14 September 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Little Legs Nursery registered in 2013. The nursery employs 10 childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are between 7.30am and 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on children's learning. n Staff and children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector carried out two joint observations of activities. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. 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.

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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

14 March 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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