Little Jems Nursery

Inspection of Little Jems Nursery 13 Swinburne Street, Jarrow, Tyne And Wear NE32 3ED

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children are cared for in a warm and nurturing environment. They form close attachments with staff. Staff focus on children's personal and emotional well-being. They have good settling-in procedures that gradually introduce a child to the setting. New children settle well.

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The provision requires improvement

Children make some choices about their play and join in activities staff plan. For example, children under two-years of age enjoy exploring the texture of dried rice. Children aged over two years make their own play dough to play with, which they then roll and cut into shapes. However, staff are not ambitious enough for children. Staff focus more on the activities and do not link them closely enough to individual children's development. For example, the play dough activity is planned because the children enjoy the process of making it and playing with it.

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The provision requires improvement

Children's behaviour is good. There is a nice calm atmosphere in the nursery. Children from a young age listen attentively and follow the directions of staff. They learn to share resources. Children develop their independence. Children under two- years of age learn to use cutlery and feed themselves. Older children learn to put on their own coats as part of the preparation to move on to school.

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need to do better?

n Staff understand individual children's needs. They carry out assessments of children's development. However, the manager is not confident in the curriculum that is offered in the setting. She is aware that her knowledge of the curriculum and what staff are teaching children needs to improve, so that she can ensure that children's learning is sequenced effectively throughout the setting. n The manager and staff do not use risk assessments robustly enough to ensure that potential risks to children are always minimised. Due to recent high winds, the artificial turf has lifted in the outdoor play area and now does not lie flat. The manager has plans to get this fixed. However, children still access the area, which could be a tripping hazard. In the communal areas, the adult toilet on the ground floor is not secure to stop children entering and accessing an antibacterial spray. The storage cupboard also has no door on and is accessible

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need to do better?

to children. These are hazards for children. Having said this, the building is secure, and staff provide a safe environment in playrooms for children to explore. n The manager has found that some children who are returning after a period of absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic have delayed communication and language skills. Staff focus on developing children's skills. They speak clearly to children. They repeat words, so that children hear the correct pronunciation. Older children enjoy having conversations with each other, staff, and visitors.

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need to do better?

24 February 2022 Children enjoy sharing books in small groups with staff and their peers. They eagerly choose the rhymes they would like to sing. n Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals. Staff teach children about the importance of regular teeth cleaning. They talk to children about the importance of having a healthy diet. n Staff find out about children's likes and interests from parents before they start. This helps them to make children feel welcome. They also find out about children's cultural or religious backgrounds. This helps staff to teach children about their own and other's cultures and beliefs. Parents make positive comments about how the manager and staff support them and keep them informed about their children's time in the setting. n The manager understands how to support children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Along with staff, they work hard to identify any early concerns. They work with external professionals where necessary to

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need to do better?

meet the needs of these children. n Staff do not consistently ensure that good hygiene is promoted. Children aged under two years share a bowl of water to wash their hands before eating. Babies' dummies are not always cleaned when they have been on the floor, before being given back to a child. This passes on germs and infections.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There are areas within the setting that are unsafe for children. This means children could be at risk. However, staff are aware of the setting's safeguarding procedures, including the whistle-blowing policy. The manager ensures that staff regularly update their safeguarding knowledge. This helps them to be able to identify if a child is at risk of harm and they know the correct steps to take to help ensure they are safe. Staff also understand wider issues, such as extremism. The management team tests their knowledge and understanding at supervision and staff meetings. Staff's suitability to work with children is checked closely and recruitment is thorough.

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Due date

24 February 2022 ensure potential risks are fully considered so that all areas of the premises are safe, such as the outdoor area and children's access to the storage cupboard and adult toilet on the ground floor 01/03/2022

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Due date

improve understanding of an effective curriculum and develop staff's understanding, so that the curriculum is tailored to meet children's individual needs. 10/03/2022

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should:

n minimise the spread of infection when young children wash their hands and when babies' dummies have been on the floor.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY484448 Local authority South Tyneside Inspection number 10217932 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 34 Number of children on roll 57 Name of registered person Little Jems Nursery Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01914899909 Date of previous inspection 7 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Little Jems Nursery was registered in 2015. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, 13 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including the manager who holds early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm, however they can be flexible with an opening time of 7.30am. 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 provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector viewed the premises and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. 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 manager and inspector carried out two joint observations of activities. They looked at how well staff teach children and what they want them to learn. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

24 February 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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