Little Legs Nursery

Inspection of Little Legs Nursery 6 Rochford Road, Southend-On-Sea SS2 6SP

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

At times, older babies and toddlers are not consistently supported to help them learn to recognise and manage their emotions and feelings. Children are not always able to learn the importance of good hygiene routines. The quality of teaching is variable. However, children of all ages enjoy a wide range of activities. Babies dip their hands into shaving foam, while toddlers enjoy role play. They make pretend cups of tea and serve staff plates of wooden cakes and fruit. Pre-school children listen to stories. They ask staff questions, who suggest that they use an electronic device to watch video clips of snakes and find the answer. This helps them to learn to use technology as a source of information.

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The provision requires improvement

Children and babies are confident and freely approach staff, including their key person, for cuddles, reassurance or to share their ideas and thoughts. Babies use hand gestures, such as pointing, to indicate their needs. Toddlers make themselves understood using their developing speaking skills. Pre-school children use some sign language correctly to say 'please' and 'thank you'. All children are physically active, which helps to support their good health and well-being. Babies move about to pop bubbles blown by staff, while toddlers and pre-school children enjoy playing outside.

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need to do better?

n At times, babies and toddlers do not receive consistent support from staff to teach them how to manage their emotions and feelings. Sometimes, toddlers throw toys around the room or push their friends. Staff are not always able to quickly intervene to calm the situation down. However, pre-school children, including those who are due to start school soon, understand the expectations staff have for their behaviour and form appropriate friendships. They find their friends and enjoy playing together imaginatively. n Staff do not always maintain strict hygiene routines. At times, they forget to wash their hands after wiping children's noses. Staff do not consistently remind children to wash their hands after touching their noses or coughing, particularly when they are helping to lay out cutlery and beakers for mealtimes. This does not fully protect children from the risk of cross infection. n Staff observe children to identify what they need to learn next. However, despite

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need to do better?

improvements in the quality of teaching, staff do not consistently make effective use of children's interests and imaginative play. For example, they overlook opportunities to encourage children to use their experiences from home in their play to extend their ideas and learning. There are instances when staff ask children questions that only require a one-word answer. This means that children do not have consistent support to develop their communication and language skills.

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need to do better?

10 August 2022 n The management team and staff have completed actions set at the previous inspection. Staff have a better understanding of their role and responsibilities, and risk assess the possible hazards to children continually. They are encouraged to complete training to extend their professional development. There is a new manager who has begun to evaluate staff practice. She plans to speak to each member of staff at their upcoming supervision meetings. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that individual learning plans are followed. Children who receive additional funding enjoy using resources that help to support their interests and stages of development. For example, management purchased construction and small-world toys to engage children further in imaginative play. n Partnerships with parents work well to provide continuity between them and the

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need to do better?

staff. Parents share information about how children have been at home in the mornings and receive updates when they collect their children at the end of their session. This helps to support children's progress and their readiness for the next stage of learning. n Staff have links with local school teachers who are able to visit the children in the nursery and discuss their progress. This enables teachers to understand what children need to learn next and their individual strengths and weaknesses. Consequently, children are able to move confidently on to school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a clear understanding of their role and responsibility to protect children. They know the signs and symptoms that may indicate that children are at risk of harm or abuse. Staff are aware of the steps to take to ensure that any concerns are reported in a timely manner and according to safeguarding policies. They have a good knowledge of the dangers posed to children from radicalisation or extremist behaviour. Staff understand how to report any concerns they may have about a colleague's conduct. This helps to protect children and keep them safe.

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Due date

take action to help children recognise their emotions and feelings, and learn how to manage them appropriately 30/09/2022

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Due date

10 August 2022 ensure staff role model good hygiene routines to teach children how to keep themselves healthy 30/09/2022

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Due date

improve the quality of teaching to ensure staff make the most of all opportunities to extend children's interests and learning further. 30/09/2022

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should:

n make greater use of open-ended questions to encourage children's thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY472435 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10236905 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 35 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Little Legs Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01702808989 Date of previous inspection 14 March 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Little Legs Nursery registered in 2013. The nursery employs 11 childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, 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 The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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Inspection activities

10 August 2022 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

10 August 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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