Lime Tree @ Loughborough

Inspection of Lime Tree @ Loughborough Great Central Hotel, Great Central Road, LOUGHBOROUGH, Leicestershire LE11 1RW

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are happy and show an interest in the activities. They gain a wide range of skills and knowledge through learning from staff. For example, children learn how to use a range of tools to mix mud and water outside. They use their physical and imaginative skills and spoon the mixture into various tins and pots. Children role play with staff and talk about how they are making pancakes and chocolate cake.

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The provision is good

Children have close relationships with their key persons. When they start at the nursery, children are given time to get to know the staff. They then choose their key person, through the bond that they have developed. This supports children's well-being, helping them to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Children are well behaved and know what is expected of them. They respond well to frequent praise and positive guidance from the staff. Staff help children to learn about safety. For example, they show children how to use peelers safely. The children follow instructions and peel vegetables.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate enthusiasm for songs and rhymes. They show happiness and delight as they sing action songs together with staff. Children shout 'again' and 'faster' as they rock from side to side holding hands.

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need to do better?

n Staff help children to develop a love for books. They read familiar stories to children throughout the day. Children are excited and eager to join in story time. They anticipate what is going to happen next in the story. Children shout out words and join in with the storytelling. n Children learn about healthy lifestyles. They enjoy a range of healthy snacks to encourage healthy eating habits. Staff encourage children to taste various vegetables and to try mint tea. The children plant seeds to grow the vegetables that they have sampled. However, they are not always encouraged to wash their hands before eating. n Managers and the area special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) work closely with other professionals. They provide well-targeted support to help children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to develop their communication skills. n Managers are very aware of the impact of COVID-19. They have identified that

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need to do better?

this has affected children's communication, social and personal skills. Staff have completed training to support children's language and communication development. Staff identify a range of new words and teach these to children to extend their vocabulary.

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need to do better?

5 April 2022 n Managers have used feedback from parents to make changes to information sharing. They have reduced the amount and improved the quality of information they share with parents about their children's learning. As a result, parents feel well informed of their child's learning at nursery. They talk about how they receive regular updates of what their child has been doing during the day. Parents also speak highly of staff members. They say how staff have been supportive of their child's individual needs while in nursery care. n Managers and staff teach children about their wider community. For example, they organise visitors to come into the nursery to talk to the children. This includes the mobile library, the police and vets. These experiences help to build children's essential knowledge of their local community. n Managers value the staff at the nursery and describe them as the dream team.

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need to do better?

They understand the importance of staff relaxing during breaks. For example, the staff room is a place for resting, with no work-related materials in view. The staff have access to mental health support. The information provides practical advice and support strategies to improve staff well-being. n Children enjoy many opportunities to sit with their friends and enjoy social group activities. The staff read stories, sing songs, and talk about the weather and the day of the week. Children choose from song props and decide which familiar songs they would like to sing. However, sometimes, parts of the group times are too complicated for the younger children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a thorough knowledge of how to keep children safe from harm. All staff attend regular safeguarding training. Managers and staff understand their responsibilities in monitoring and reporting any signs and symptoms that indicate a child may be at risk of harm. They know how to use and initiate the whistleblowing procedures if needed. Managers have a robust recruitment and induction process and continuously monitor the suitability of all staff. There is a clear procedure for visitors and the site is fully secure.

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should:

n ensure staff consistently follow hygiene routines to ensure that children's health is promoted effectively n improve support for younger children during group times to further support their learning and understanding.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY435098 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10130508 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 85 Number of children on roll 137 Name of registered person KGAM Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01509 266181 Date of previous inspection 16 July 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Lime Tree @ Loughborough registered in 2011 and is situated in Loughborough, Leicestershire. The nursery employs 26 members of staff. Of these, 19 hold relevant qualifications at level 2 or above, including two with early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6.30pm. 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the managers about the leadership and management of the setting. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection.

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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

5 April 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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