Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-School

Inspection of Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-School St. Richards Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 6SE

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at the setting and build secure relationships with their key person. Babies cuddle up with staff and listen to them singing songs and reading stories. Children confidently move around the environment, inside and outside. They explore sensory experiences, such as sand, mud and water play. In the garden, children excitedly work together to sweep the fallen leaves and throw them in the air. Children form friendships and are kind and supportive to each other. For example, they help their friends by holding their hands while they balance on wooden beams.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. They are well supported by staff to help them learn how to manage their emotions. For example, staff help children to find solutions to any minor disputes that occur and respond sensitively to them. Children show a good understanding of the rules and boundaries. For instance, before using large climbing structures, they line up and recall the rules that are in place to help keep them safe. Staff plan stimulating learning experiences for children based on their interests. This leads to children being engaged and focused. Children become immersed in opportunities that support them to develop their fine motor skills, such as rolling and moulding play dough and using spoons to scoop rice.

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need to do better?

n The manager has developed a curriculum that builds on children's prior knowledge. For example, staff follow children's interest in baby dolls by setting up a hospital role play activity with plasters and bandages. However, staff do not always fully consider how to extend children's learning through their interactions or provide resources to enhance children's learning opportunities. For example, staff do not consistently ensure that there are mark-making materials at activities that invite children to draw. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents speak very positively about the staff and the care that their children receive. They describe the staff as 'kind and supportive' and say that their children are 'always eager to attend'. Staff regularly share ideas of how parents can support their children at home. This leads to parents feeling included in their children's education. n The manager supports her staff team well. She completes regular supervisions

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need to do better?

with staff to identify any support that they may require. Staff observe each other's practice and give feedback in order to improve and develop their skills. However, although staff complete necessary training to keep children safe, their professional development opportunities are not focused on how to identify accurately children's next steps in learning. This means that staff do not always identify precisely what it is that they want children to learn next. n Children develop an interest in books and enjoy listening to stories read by staff.

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need to do better?

6 October 2022 During story time, staff provide children with props, such as containers filled with items related to the book, so that they can actively participate. This helps to keep children engaged. Older children enjoy sitting down together and reading to each other. n Staff know the children they care for well. They are kind and nurturing. However, on occasion, staff do not follow younger children's cues that their individual routine needs adapting. For example, when children demonstrate that they are tired, staff do not always respond in a timely manner. n Staff provide a variety of healthy meals and snacks, which children serve themselves. Staff ensure that children with dietary requirements are well catered for. They help children learn where food comes from by giving them opportunities to grow their own vegetables. Children become excited when they find a radish in the growing area and proudly show the staff.

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need to do better?

n Children's independence is well promoted. For example, staff encourage children to have a go at wiping their own noses. During snack time, children use jugs to pour their own milk, and staff support them to do so carefully. Children benefit from plenty of opportunities for physical exercise in the fresh air. n The setting has a designated special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) who is confident in her role. She competently identifies children who may require additional support and implements effective plans to help them make good progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate a secure understanding of the important role they play in safeguarding children. They are confident at identifying what may give them cause for concern and know the local safeguarding partnership procedures to follow. Staff complete regular training to refresh their safeguarding knowledge. Staff's understanding of their responsibilities and their continued suitability is checked regularly. The manager prioritises safety in the setting. She ensures that staff complete regular fire evacuations and risk assessments of the environment. Staff involve children in completing risk assessments. For instance, they encourage them to check carefully for any hazards in the outdoor area before they play.

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should:

n support staff to strengthen the delivery of the curriculum further so that they consistently consider the interactions, activities and resources that they provide, to make the most of children's learning opportunities n encourage staff to further their professional development to help improve their understanding of how to identify accurately the next steps in children's learning

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should:

6 October 2022 n ensure staff consistently recognise and respond to changes in the individual sleep routines of the youngest children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY286112 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10228360 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 66 Number of children on roll 115 Name of registered person Buffer Bear Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01243 536778 Date of previous inspection 14 December 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Little Pioneers Nursery and Pre-School is one of a national day nursery chain owned by Midcounties Co-operative. It is situated in the grounds of St Richard's Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 6.45am to 6.30pm, throughout the year. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider currently employs 27 staff, of whom 17 hold early years qualifications.

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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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager.

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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

6 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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