Littleton Minors

Inspection of Littleton Minors Huntington Community Centre, Stafford Road, Huntington, Cannock WS12 4PD

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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 receive a warm welcome from the friendly and caring staff. They form emotional attachments with their key person, which helps children to feel safe and secure. Children learn to share and take turns, and are respectful to each other and staff. They receive an abundance of praise and encouragement for their achievements, which helps to boost their self-esteem. Children confidently make independent choices on the direction of their play and are enthusiastic to learn. They engage in adult-led activities and child-initiated play experiences and make good progress from their starting points. Children are familiar with the routines of the nursery and anticipate what will happen next. For example, they excitedly sit on the carpet and wait for story time to begin. Staff sing familiar nursery rhymes and read stories with good intonation.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy playing outside in the garden. They have lots of space to run around and develop their large physical skills. Children have opportunities to learn about the natural world as they search for insects in the garden using magnifying glasses. They eagerly show staff the spider they have found, which sparks conversations about how to carefully hold and take care of living creatures. Children learn about where they live and the world around them. They enjoy going on walks in the local community and learn about road safety. Children take part in some celebrations throughout the year, such as Christmas and Diwali. They are encouraged to recognise and respect differences between themselves and others.

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need to do better?

n The management team is dedicated and passionate about providing children with the best possible start. They devise a broad and sequenced curriculum which reflects children's interests. Staff are swift to identify any delays in children's learning and development. They are proactive in seeking professional intervention if needed to ensure that no child gets left behind. n The management team has developed links with teachers from the local schools that children are due to attend. They share key information which helps to support continuity in children's care and learning and aid smooth transitions. n Staff benefit from regular supervisions and team meetings. They are encouraged in their professional development and have opportunities to reflect on their practice and identify areas for further improvement. Staff speak highly of the management team and comment that they love their jobs. n The management team and staff have established positive relationships with

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need to do better?

parents. Staff communicate daily with parents and keep them well informed on the progress their children make. During the national lockdowns, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, management kept in touch with parents and provided resources to help them support their children's learning and development at

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need to do better?

4 October 2022 home. n Staff know the children well and can confidently talk about their individual personalities. They thoughtfully arrange the environment and activities that capture children's curiosity. However, some staff do not always understand the ways children explore and learn. For example, some staff discourage children from rolling toy cars in the sand tray. n Children have opportunities to make marks and be creative. They enjoy using their imagination as they pretend to have a picnic with their friends. They make and serve 'cups of tea' for staff and explore the different toy foods. Staff introduce new words, such as 'aubergine', which helps to broaden children's growing vocabulary. n Children develop good communication and language skills. Staff engage them in meaningful conversations and offer a narrative as they play. However, staff do not consistently use skilful questioning techniques to challenge children's critical

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need to do better?

thinking and encourage them to problem-solve. For example, children enjoy pouring sand into a funnel and watch as they make the wheel go round. When the wheel stops turning, staff are quick to explain that it is because the sand has run out. n Children have fun exploring the texture of play dough. They roll, squash and manipulate the dough, which helps to strengthen the small muscles in their hands in readiness for early writing. Staff introduce counting and mathematical language, such as 'big' and 'small', as children use different-sized cutters to make shapes out of the dough.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The management team and staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They are confident in the procedures to follow if they have concerns about the welfare of a child. The management team ensures that staff and committee members are suitable to carry out their roles. They know what to do if they have concerns about the conduct of a colleague. Staff ensure the premises are safe and secure and free from hazards. They supervise children at all times, ensuring their safety.

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should:

n build on staff's knowledge and understanding of how children learn through exploration and investigation n support staff to develop effective questioning techniques, to provide children with opportunities to problem-solve to extend their learning to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY456785 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10236033 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 16 Name of registered person Moorhill Pre-School and Fun Club Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07852703670 Date of previous inspection 17 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Littleton Minors registered in 2012. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and 3, including the manager who holds a level 6 qualification. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during school term times. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3.15pm, offering flexible session times to meet the needs of children and families. 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The management team and the inspector completed a learning walk together to look at how the curriculum is planned to meet children's needs and development. n A meeting was held with the inspector and the management team to discuss leadership and management arrangements. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and checked the evidence of the suitability of the committee members and 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

4 October 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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