Little Owls Nursery

Inspection of Little Owls Nursery Dark Lane, Broseley, Shropshire TF12 5LW

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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 are confident and independent learners. The nursery is designed in a way that mirrors a home environment. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Behaviours and attitudes towards learning are exemplary. Children sit, listen and pay attention to each other's opinions. They know routines very well and follow the rules of the nursery. Children learn about independence across nursery. For example, young babies feed themselves at snack times and lunchtimes, while being supported by a team of nurturing practitioners. Older babies know when they feel tired and will make their own way to the sleep room to lie down. Older children are able to put on their own coats and shoes to go outside.

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The provision is good

Children have rich and stimulating experiences in the outdoor environment. They walk to the forest school area each week and can describe what they learned while they were there. When taking part in physical activities outdoors, children can describe the effects that exercise has had on their bodies. Children throughout this nursery are valued and each family receives a rigorous transition process when children first start at the setting and subsequently progress from one room to another. Staff work collaboratively with families to share their knowledge of the child's development and use this information to skilfully plan their next steps in learning. This results in children making good progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The manager is extremely passionate about her role and goes above and beyond to support the children and families that attend. There is an effective key-person system in place. Staff get to know children and families very well at this nursery. They learn about the children's interests from their parents or carers and use this information to craft exciting learning opportunities. n Staff who are working on an apprenticeship scheme receive extensive support from the manager, who encourages them to practise new skills. This has helped enhance the way they teach children, particularly in child-initiated learning. However, the manager has not yet embedded fully effective professional development systems across the nursery with all staff. This leaves some staff members unsure of what they need to work on to help further enhance learning experiences for children. n The manager has designed a curriculum that focuses on children's well-being

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need to do better?

and independence as a priority. Staff have continuously high expectations of the children. This has resulted in children of all ages learning to respond to their own feelings and being able to attend to their own physical needs from an early age. Children in the baby room can independently climb the toddler stairs and navigate down the slide. They show pride in their achievement and look to adults in the room for praise.

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need to do better?

22 September 2022 n The manager has developed a motivated leadership team whose members work together to drive improved outcomes for children and use their expertise to support children's development. The special educational needs coordinator uses her specialism to assess children's communication and language skills and provide targeted intervention to support any areas of difficulty. All children gain the skills they need to support them through their onward journeys and on to school. n Children throughout nursery learn to live healthy lifestyles. They all routinely wash their hands before every meal and are provided with nutritious snacks and are encouraged to eat a well-balanced lunchtime meal. Staff talk to the children about the effects of sugar on their teeth and provide information to parents on maintaining good oral hygiene. n Staff actively promote communication and language. They skilfully engage

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need to do better?

children in activities to enhance their concentration and this has supported them to sit quietly and listen to stories with interest and interaction. Stories are used as a key learning resource to enhance understanding of key concepts. Staff teach children the language of size when sharing a story about animals. Children compare sizes of animals when using them to paint with. This provides children with meaningful experiential learning. A lending library supports families to share stories at home with their children and extend their vocabulary further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The management team ensures that Ofsted is provided with all the information it needs about committee members to complete the required suitability checks. There is a rigorous recruitment system in place to vet managers and staff. They have a secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and know the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare. Managers and staff attend regular safeguarding briefings and are aware of the local safeguarding concerns that may affect their children and families. Risk assessments are effective and appropriate procedures are in place to minimise any possible risks to children. Staff teach children how to keep themselves safe. For example, children know how to walk sensibly through the school grounds, and they know that they must walk when inside.

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should:

n strengthen professional development opportunities for staff to help further enhance learning experiences for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 224208 Local authority Shropshire Inspection number 10233584 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 56 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person Little Owls Nursery Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01952 882232 Date of previous inspection 17 October 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Little Owls Nursery registered in 2012. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 5, one holds level 4, 14 hold levels 2 to 3 and three are unqualified. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery 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 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 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 The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

22 September 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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