Little Scallywags Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Scallywags Day Nursery Newlands Farmhouse, Stonydelph Lane, Tamworth B77 5PJ

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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 arrive happy and eager to learn as they enter the nursery. The friendly staff provide a warm welcome at the door. Children are confident communicators. When they see new faces, they introduce themselves and hold out their hands for a handshake. Strong relationships flourish between staff and children. Children seek out comfort from staff members as and when they need to throughout the day. For example, when children become overwhelmed by a change in activity, staff sit with them on their laps and comfort them, singing their favourite songs.

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The provision is good

There is a strong emphasis placed on communication and language. The nursery has set up a lending library for both children and adults. Children and their parents help themselves to books provided at the entrance of the nursery. Staff work hard to embed a love of books and reading. They recognise the importance that reading has on every child's development.

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The provision is good

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The staff are confident in identifying when children need additional support. Staff make referrals and seek advice from external agencies. This ensures that all children get the best possible start in their education.

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need to do better?

n Parent partnership is strong. The parents are happy with the service and feel that the staff are friendly and approachable. They explain that their children have 'come on leaps and bounds' since starting. They speak with delight about the rapid progression their children are making in learning English as an additional language to their home language. The nursery provides homework packs for the children. This supports parents to continue their child's learning at home. n Staff know their key children very well. Children who cannot yet communicate verbally, give cues to staff which they respond to. For example, children hold up a paintbrush to a member of staff. The staff, in turn, sets out a painting activity. Children concentrate when mixing paints, using their fingers and brushes. Staff suggest using a block and model how to create print on the paper. Children copy and delight in seeing the block transfer circles of paint onto the paper.

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need to do better?

n Children have fun creating hedgehogs. They use clay, dried pasta, lollipop sticks and scissors. Staff talk about hedgehogs and show the children what hedgehogs look like. Staff skilfully engage the children in purposeful conversations. They ask open-ended questions such as, 'What else could we use?', which helps the children to think and ponder. Children marvel at their creations and show visitors what they have made with a sense of pride and achievement. n Children enjoy the outdoor environment. They delight in finding spiders hidden

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need to do better?

2 November 2022 in the leaves. They begin to examine the leaves independently and discuss shape and size, exclaiming, 'I've got a big, massive one.' They are confident in using wheeled toys and race around the garden. They take care not to collide with other children and outdoor equipment that may be in their path. n Staff read to children at different times during the day. Before the children engage in story time, they sing a song to children explaining the importance of listening. All children know the song well and join in with the words and actions. Most children enjoy the story and listen with concentration. However, some children begin to lose interest. They select musical instruments from the box beside them and begin to shake tambourines. This has a negative impact on the children who want to listen to the story, as they struggle to hear. n Children enjoy making marks on a large chalkboard in the outdoor area. They

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need to do better?

independently make circles on the board. This strengthens the small muscles in their fingers in preparation for writing. Staff support children by asking, 'Shall we make a snowman?' They show children how to draw three circles to make a snowman. Children laugh and giggle and then have a go themselves.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff receive regular and thorough safeguarding training. All staff excel in their sound knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding. They know what to do if they have concerns about a child and when referrals should be made. They are knowledgeable on the different signs and symptoms of abuse. Staff know how to implement their whistle-blowing policy and report any concerns they have about other members of staff. The premises are safe and secure. Regular risk assessments are undertaken to maintain the safety of the children. Managers follow robust recruitment and induction procedures, ensuring that all staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n review group activities to engage all children effectively, and support their learning needs, and to sustain their interest.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY497346 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10236777 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 96 Number of children on roll 71 Name of registered person Little Scallywags Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01827 282858 Date of previous inspection 13 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Scallywags Day Nursery registered in 2015. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff, the majority of whom hold early years qualifications at level 2 and above.

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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 and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the manager about the leadership and management of the setting. 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 observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager.

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Inspection activities

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 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

2 November 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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