Leechpool Caterpillar Nursery & After School Club

Inspection of Leechpool Caterpillar Nursery & After School Club Leechpool Primary School, Leechpool Lane, Horsham, Sussex RH13 6AG

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children and parents are warmly welcomed when they arrive at the nursery. Children enjoy independence as they say goodbye to their parents and store their lunch boxes. They are happy to see their friends and staff. Children learn about the 'Golden Rules' which help them to understand the high expectations for behaviour and being kind.

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The provision is good

The manager designs a curriculum that promotes good progress for all children. Skilled staff know children well and provide a wide range of stimulating activities indoors and outside. Staff support children's interests, helping them to want to learn more. During the inspection, children learned about pirates. They delighted in building their own pirate ship and sailing on a rough sea. Children dropped anchor before digging for pirate treasure and later listened with enchantment to a story about pirates.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy a range of physical activities. For example, they knead clay and dig in the sand for coins, which helps to develop strong hands and fingers. Children enjoy songs with actions and jumping games. Walks around the school grounds and outings develop their interest in the local community.

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The provision is good

Children feel safe and confident at the nursery. This results in a willingness to try new experiences. Staff provide encouragement and praise for children's achievements. As a result, children become resilient and have a 'can-do' attitude.

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need to do better?

n Devoted and skilled staff develop excellent relationships with parents and children. Parents are very happy with the quality and frequency of information they receive. An online journal is used to share photographs and comments about their children's progress. Parents are happy that their child's independence and social skills have developed since joining the nursery. n Children are making good progress with language development. They enjoy talking about their ideas with staff and each other to develop their imaginations and to create storylines in their play. Children are enchanted by stories skilfully read by staff and demonstrate excitement to hear the next part of the story. They delight in learning songs with actions, which parents later hear them singing at home. However, staff do not focus enough on language spoken in children's homes to support their all-round language development. n The nursery has strong links with local primary schools and regular meetings

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need to do better?

take place with teachers. This helps children have a smooth transition into school. They can see children playing in the school grounds, and this helps to develop their expectations for moving on to school.

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need to do better?

26 May 2022 n The manager and staff have high expectations for all children. This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff work with external agencies to provide children with the help that they need. The nursery uses funding to buy items to support specific needs. For example, staff buy book bags to help with children's language development and to ensure they develop a love of books. n Lunch and snack times are happy occasions. Children learn to wash their hands before eating. Staff sit with children and encourage them to cut their own fruit and pour their own drinks. At lunchtime, children find their lunch box or have a meal prepared by the school caterer. The nursery is vigilant to ensure that any allergies or food intolerances are noted. n Children's behaviour is excellent. They are polite, kind to each other and learn to share and take turns. Children listen attentively to instructions and cooperate

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need to do better?

with each other during their play. This helps them learn to respect other people's thoughts and ideas. n Children are curious about people they meet and the places they visit, for example when they travel on a bus to the library for a storytelling session. They find this an exciting way to learn about their community, and public transport and the people who use it.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider is fully aware of their responsibility to keep children safe. All staff attend training so that they can recognise children who may be at the risk of harm. The premises are risk assessed and toys and resources are maintained and in good repair. Staff know who to contact if they have concerns about a child. They also know what action to take if there is an allegation against a member of staff.

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should:

n review and improve the organisation of story times to minimise disruption so that children are able to concentrate n develop opportunities for children to hear and use their home language in learning and play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2566817 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10239510 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 102

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Name of registered person

Leechpool Caterpillar Nursery & After-School Club

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reference number

Telephone number 01403271545 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Leechpool Caterpillar Nursery & After School Club registered in 2020. It is situated in Horsham, West Sussex on the site of Leechpool County Primary School. The setting is open each weekday from 8.50am until 2.50pm, during term time. It also runs an after-school club. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs five staff who work directly with the children, all of whom hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3 and above.

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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 The inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager. n The quality of interactions between staff and children and the learning opportunities that they provide for children were assessed. n The indoor and outdoor learning environments were visited. n Written documentation, including the safeguarding policy, was reviewed. n The inspector spoke to parents, staff and children and considered their views n The inspector and the manager conducted a joint observation 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

26 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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