Little Smarties Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Little Smarties Nursery Ltd Bakers Lane, West Hanningfield, Chelmsford CM2 8LD

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy in the relaxed, nurturing and very pleasant nursery environment. They settle well, and those who are new to the nursery quickly adjust to new people and places. Children benefit from the attention of kind and caring staff. They have their care needs met by staff who know them well. Children and staff have positive relationships that enable children to seek comfort when they need it. Staff have high expectations for all children who attend the nursery, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. Whenever children's behaviour falls below what is expected, staff gently support and guide them to find solutions. They help children to develop the skills they need so that they learn how to manage their feelings and emotions. Children are polite and well mannered. They are friendly and welcoming to visitors. Children of all ages have very good opportunities to participate in group activities, and are equally able to choose to observe or try something different. Children relish time in the garden looking for minibeasts, and celebrate their achievements when they find a very long worm in the big tyre. Children are very curious and show lots of interest in the way it moves. They excitedly show it to others in their group.

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need to do better?

n The provider and the curriculum manager describe the early years curriculum that they have developed. It covers all areas of learning and helps to ensure that children gain the knowledge and skills that they need for the next stage in their education. There is a strong focus on helping children to become independent, to build successful relationships and to acquire effective communication skills. Staff implement the curriculum well. They understand what children need to know and the skills they need to master. They are beginning to use sign- supported speech to aid communication. Toddlers enjoy signing the days of the week when they sing their morning welcome song. n Staff help children to learn about and explore the natural world. They create interesting experiences and opportunities for children to observe the life cycle of small creatures. Older children are fascinated by the changes they see as the

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need to do better?

caterpillars form a chrysalis and hang from the netting in their cage. Children talk confidently about what will happen next. They use books to help support their learning and to help them explain to others about life cycles. n Children are interested in the activities. They like sensory play, where babies explore textures and make patterns with their hands in whipped cream. Children are captivated by natural materials. They make small models of bees and ladybirds, and model faces from dough using tiny pine cones, twigs and leaves to make facial features. Children show that they are creative and imaginative.

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need to do better?

19 May 2022 n Staff place a strong focus on promoting children's communication and language skills. They help children to listen, follow instructions and build their vocabulary. For example, staff organise group activities where children listen to stories and, in some groups, each child takes a turn to share a favourite experience with the others. Children participate well and many show that they have good concentration and recall. However, these activities do not always engage all children and they are sometimes expected to sit for too long, which leads to them becoming restless. n Parents speak highly of the staff and the way they make children feel safe and secure. They compliment staff for the excellent communication and call them 'amazing'. Parents say their children 'have come on in leaps and bounds'. Parents appreciate the care and attention given to meeting children's dietary and medical needs, and the opportunities children have to spend time with Barclay,

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need to do better?

the dog. They value the regular updates about their children's learning and the support staff provide to the whole family. n Staff speak highly of the management team and their colleagues. They say that managers take staff well-being seriously. Staff have good opportunities for high- quality training. They explain how training has a positive impact on staff practice and the quality of education. Managers evaluate what works well and what can be improved. With staff input, they devise action plans to help bring about improvements.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff across the nursery, working with children of all ages, have a thorough knowledge of safeguarding. This includes recognising the signs that children are at risk of radicalisation and grooming. They know the possible indicators that children are suffering harm. Staff attend regular training to help them keep their knowledge up to date. Staff know which members of the senior team have a designated safeguarding lead role and that they can assist them in making a safeguarding referral. Staff are aware of the nursery policy and procedure for managing a safeguarding concern and how to contact the local safeguarding partnership at the local authority.

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should:

n help staff to embed agreed teaching strategies so that they are consistently implemented across the nursery n support staff to reflect on the organisation of adult-led activities to help them understand when these could be adapted to better meet children's needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY549918 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10174184 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 100 Number of children on roll 124 Name of registered person Little Smarties Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01277 841424 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Smarties Nursery Limited registered in 2017. The nursery is open from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including the senior leadership team who are qualified at level 6. The nursery receives funding for the early education of 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 inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with managers and have taken this into account in the evaluation of the nursery. n The provider, curriculum manager and inspectors discussed how the provision for children's learning is organised. The inspectors observed interactions between staff and children indoors and outside. n The curriculum manager, the provider and the inspectors observed and discussed planned activities and the impact these had on children's learning. n The inspectors spoke to parents who use the setting and considered their views. The inspectors spoke with children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspectors reviewed evidence of qualifications and the suitability of staff working at the setting.

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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

19 May 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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