Little Caterpillars

Inspection of Little Caterpillars The Stables, Coppingford Road, Sawtry, HUNTINGDON, Cambridgeshire PE28 5XT

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is compromised. The provider, who is also the manager, has failed to ensure that there is at least one member of staff on the premises who holds a valid paediatric first-aid qualification. She has not ensured that the designated lead practitioner responsible for safeguarding has completed training in line with local safeguarding partners. This does not support children's safety and welfare.

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The provision is inadequate

Children thoroughly enjoy themselves at this friendly nursery. They arrive eagerly and separate from their carers with ease. Children explore numerous exciting resources that are planned around their interests. Staff extend activities to build on children's existing knowledge. For example, when children show an interest in frogspawn, staff help them to learn about the life cycle of a frog.

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The provision is inadequate

Children demonstrate that they feel secure. They form close, nurturing relationships with adults and seek out their key person for affection and cuddles. Children form close bonds with each other. They are kind and support their friends in tasks such as hanging up coats and bags. Older children delight in planning treasure hunts for their younger friends. They eagerly support them to find the eggs they have hidden.

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need to do better?

n The provider fails to ensure that all legal requirements are met. There is no member of staff with a valid paediatric first-aid qualification on the premises while children are present. This does not help to keep children safe in an emergency. Furthermore, the designated lead practitioner responsible for safeguarding has not completed suitable training to be able to follow the local safeguarding partnership guidelines. n Staff talk about the close relationships they have as a team. They regularly discuss and evaluate activities to help identify ways to support children's learning. The manager encourages her staff to undertake further training courses to help them gain higher qualifications. In addition, a new online training package has been arranged to further support staff's practice. n Staff have a secure knowledge of the children's abilities. They make good use of ongoing assessments to help children make progress across all areas of learning.

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need to do better?

However, at times, staff do not allow children to follow their own interests independently, particularly during planned activities. This means that, sometimes, children's interest and curiosity is not supported effectively. n Children enjoy a language-rich environment. They enjoy regular song and story sessions where staff model lots of new and descriptive words. Children enthusiastically recall past stories and act them out, using puppets and props. Staff further encourage a love of literacy with a well-established library system.

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need to do better?

13 April 2022 Children of all reading abilities are encouraged to share stories with their families. n The manager adapts the environment well to meet the needs of the wide age group of children. Younger children have access to a soft-play area. This supports their physical development. Older children enjoy a 'chill out' room to relax in after school and during the holidays. This provides a quiet space should children want to rest or read a book. n Outdoor learning opportunities are particularly strong in the nursery. Children discuss water safety in the 'beach' area. They learn to challenge themselves physically as they play on the extensive climbing and balancing equipment. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents speak highly of staff and the learning opportunities children receive. They also value the close bond children have with the manager and staff. n Staff use circle time to support children's understanding of essential hygiene

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need to do better?

procedures. They use enjoyable methods to engage children and assess their knowledge. For example, children enthusiastically play the 'thumbs up, thumbs down' game when carrying out lunchtime routines. n The manager seeks regular input from parents and children and acts on their feedback. For example, she is in the process of introducing electronic journals to further support communication with parents. This helps to provide a consistent approach in children's learning and care needs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The lead practitioner responsible for safeguarding has failed to complete child protection training in line with local safeguarding partners. Despite this, the manager and staff understand the signs and symptoms which may indicate a child is at risk of harm. All staff are aware of the process to follow if they have concerns about the welfare of a child and the need to report them in a timely manner.

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Due date

ensure that the designated lead practitioner responsible for safeguarding completes safeguarding training in line with local safeguarding partnership guidelines 13/05/2022

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Due date

13 April 2022 ensure that at least one person caring for children has an appropriate paediatric first-aid qualification. 30/04/2022

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should:

n provide staff with effective support to develop their skills to help children lead their own play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY458991 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10113065 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 24 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Connolly, Gail

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reference number

Telephone number 01487832882 Date of previous inspection 10 June 2013

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Information about this early years setting

Little Caterpillars registered in 2012. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold relevant qualifications at level 3, and two hold qualifications at level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery 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 nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and considered their views. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all staff. n The inspector and the manager discussed how the nursery is organised. n The inspector held discussions with the manager and staff about the monitoring of learning and development in the nursery and tracked the progress of children.

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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

13 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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