Little Oaks Nursery

Inspection of Little Oaks Nursery Denefield School, Long Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire RG31 6XY

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are greeted warmly on arrival. They demonstrate that they feel secure and safe in the nursery. For example, they confidently separate from their parents, greet their friends with enthusiasm and quickly settle with their chosen activities. Children readily seek the support and attention of the friendly and nurturing staff. The atmosphere in the nursery is busy and purposeful. Staff know the children well. They make sure that activities support the children's individual learning needs and actively encourage them to explore their own interests. For example, babies enjoy soft play and are supported to develop their physical skills as they climb safely on soft blocks and shapes. Older children delight as they search for bugs and closely observe the features of a dragonfly they find in the garden.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate good motivation to play and learn. Older children take pride in their achievements and are becoming independent learners. They are forging good relationships with one another. Children build strong emotional attachments to their key person and other staff. Children's behaviour is good. They understand the routines and follow instructions well. Children share and take turns when playing and use good manners. They are considerate towards each other and invite the staff to join in with their play. This helps children to remain motivated and engaged.

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need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is good. Staff know the children well and talk confidently about them. They use what they know to plan varied and stimulating activities that are linked to children's interests and what they need to learn next. For example, younger children are supported to persevere and become independent through many sensory water play activities which are linked to their summer curriculum. n Overall, staff support children's speech and language development through a broad curriculum. They model taking turns in conversation and introduce new vocabulary. However, at times, staff do not target each child's learning needs as effectively as they could, to offer more challenge and to extend their learning further. n Children respond well to staff's expectations. Staff talk to children in a calm and respectful manner and support them to consider the needs of others. Children demonstrate a positive attitude to learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff know about the children's home lives and talk to them about their families to enhance their sense of belonging. Children readily seek out staff for reassurance and to share play experiences. Staff give praise and encouragement. This supports children's self-esteem. n Staff promote children's physical skills well. They encourage babies to become

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need to do better?

17 August 2022 confident walkers. Babies smile with excitement as they carefully negotiate the indoor climbing equipment. Older children practise their physical skills in the garden, where they ride wheeled toys, climb the play equipment, play tennis, jump on the trampoline and learn how to use the swing independently. Children are reminded to drink plenty of water to ensure that they stay well hydrated in the heat. n Staff are enthusiastic and work well together. Overall, the manager carries out an effective programme of supervision and appraisal for all staff to manage their performance and support their well-being. Staff have opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills through mandatory training. However, leaders have not yet fully embedded developed systems to consider how wider training meets the individual needs of staff in order to raise the quality of education to the highest level. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents who contributed their views at the

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need to do better?

inspection state they are happy with the nursery. They value the staff and feel they receive enough information about what their children are doing and how they are progressing. n The manager and staff demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous improvement. They have high expectations for the provision to ensure that all children are developing the necessary skills needed to be ready for the next stage of their education, including school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and have a good knowledge of the child protection procedures. They can recognise the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm, including harm from being exposed to radical views. Staff know how to share a concern about children's welfare with other professionals, to keep children safe. They understand the importance of ensuring that they maintain a safe environment for children to play in. Staff supervise children well. A robust recruitment procedure helps to ensure that adults working with children are suitable for their role.

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should:

n plan the curriculum even more effectively and consider more closely the intent and the impact of the activities to focus precisely on the challenges set for all children n provide staff with focused professional development and carefully reflect on the impact the training has on the quality of education.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2518422 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10213010 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 21 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Pathfinder Child Care Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07494 498339 Date of previous inspection 12 October 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Little Oaks Nursery re-registered in 2019 under new ownership. The nursery is located in Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire. The nursery employs nine members of staff, including the manager. Of these, five hold relevant qualifications at level 3 and one holds qualified teacher status. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday all year round, except for a week at Christmas and bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.45am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for 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 nursery. n The inspector observed activities in the two main base rooms and garden. She talked to staff at appropriate times about the progress individual children are making and what they want the children to learn. n The manager and the inspector had a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. The inspector observed interactions between the staff and children and assessed the impact on children's learning. The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

17 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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