Little Learners (NE)

Inspection of Little Learners (NE) Fawdon Community Centre, Fawdon Park Road, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE3 2PL

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children show they feel happy, safe, and secure, while playing and learning at the pre-school. They form strong attachments with staff, who are kind and caring. Children flourish because of the praise and encouragement they receive from staff. Children's emotional well-being is well supported and their behaviour is good. Staff model high expectations and children engage well with others, effectively developing early social skills. When there are minor disagreements, staff are quick to help children work out their differences. Children develop respect and consideration for all.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy listening to stories, songs and rhymes. They develop a love of books through daily story sessions. Children recall parts of their favourite stories enthusiastically. For example, children have been learning about the 'Hungry Caterpillar'. They talk about the foods the caterpillar eats and how he forms a chrysalis and then becomes a butterfly. Children are confident and make independent choices about their play. They are interested and curious and explore the broad range of resources available. For example, children delight in exploring oral health by brushing a crocodile's teeth and checking for cavities using dentist mirrors. Children understand the importance of looking after their teeth.

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need to do better?

n Overall, leaders and staff have a clear vision of what they want children to know and be able to do. The exciting curriculum is carefully planned around children's interests. However, sometimes, staff are not always very clear about what they want children to learn from activities. This does not consistently help children to make rapid progress. n Generally, the manager has developed clear plans for staff development. Her self-evaluations identify key priorities, and she effectively implements plans for continuous improvement. However, the impact of training sessions is not always consistently evaluated to ensure staff further develop their skills and knowledge. n The key-person system is well established. Staff use accurate assessments and observations to develop a good understanding of children's current abilities. They identify some appropriate next steps for children and plan activities to support them. Overall, all children make good progress from their starting

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need to do better?

points. n The manager and staff develop strong relationships with parents. Staff communicate information about what children are learning and encourage parents to share information from home. Parents believe that children are well cared for and safe. The manager works closely with parents, offering them support and advice and signposting them to other services. n The provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities

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need to do better?

18 May 2022 (SEND) is effective. Staff are skilled in using a range of strategies to enable all children to be fully included. The setting works closely with the health visitor, speech and language team and other outside agencies to meet children's individual needs. n Staff promote children's language skills effectively. They model language and introduce new words at every opportunity. For example, when observing the caterpillars staff talk about the chrysalis and how the caterpillar changes into a beautiful butterfly. Staff use strategies, including sign language and visual clues, to support children with SEND. This helps children to develop strong communication skills. n Staff skilfully weave mathematical skills into everyday activities. For example, in a water activity, children concentrate well as they develop an understanding of the concepts of 'full' and 'empty'. Children were also encouraged to learn about

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need to do better?

two dimensional shapes when drawing on whiteboards or in shaving foam. Children develop a good understanding of early mathematics. n Staff promote children's health. They provide nutritious snacks, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Children learn about planting and growing in the vegetable patch. They enthusiastically water and look after the plants. This helps children to learn about the importance of healthy eating. n Children are supported well when they move on to nursery or school. Staff work closely with teachers to ensure that children are well prepared for their next step in education. Staff and children complete regular visits to ensure that children feel confident and relaxed.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders hold regular sessions for staff to discuss signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow if they have concerns. Staff know what to do if they have worries about a child or a colleague's practice. They have all completed safeguarding training and understand their safeguarding responsibilities. Robust daily risk assessments ensure that the environment is safe. Children learn how to keep themselves and others safe through planned activities. Staff supervise children well and maintain ratios to minimise the risk of accidents. Leaders complete thorough screening processes to ensure that adults working with children are suitable.

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should:

n reflect more closely on the impact of training to help evaluate how this impacts on the development of staff skills and knowledge n develop further staff's understanding of the learning intentions for activities, so

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should:

18 May 2022 they are clear about what skills and knowledge children will gain from their experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY461143 Local authority Newcastle upon Tyne Inspection number 10229662 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 26

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Name of registered person

Little Learners (NE) Community Interest Company

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reference number

Telephone number 07768968617 or 07561399867 Date of previous inspection 9 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Little Learners (NE) registered in 2013 and is located in Fawdon, Newcastle upon Tyne. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 12.15pm, with additional afternoon sessions from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday. The pre-school 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 setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a mathematics activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

18 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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