Little Rockets Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Rockets Day Nursery 71A Congleton Road, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST8 6EF

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children's well-being is a priority at this nurturing setting. They walk into nursery with a smile and are greeted warmly by staff. Staff talk to each family as children arrive at nursery and find out any news that they have to share. Children settle in well and have a tailor-made transition process suited to their needs. Staff enable children to guide their key-person system. They allocate children to staff based on their positive relationships. Children behave well and learn about their feelings and those of others.

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The provision is good

Children learn about how to be healthy and grow their own fruits and vegetables. They use these to cook their own meals and learn the skills of slicing, weighing and mixing. Children enjoy 'fitness Fridays' as they develop new skills and learn about the effects of exercise on their bodies. They explore their surroundings and learn to count up to 10 as they play hide and seek in the large forest area. Children also learn how to manage risks as they jump, balance and crawl through the trees and hedges. They benefit from experiences in and around the environment that they live in. For example, children visit the local farm and library and have recently attended the community centre to meet with the mayor and local police.

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need to do better?

n Children access a curriculum which is based on their needs and interests. Staff get to know the children well and are aware of some of their next steps, which are shared regularly with parents. Each key person plans dedicated activities for their key group. They link activities to the story of the week and create multi- sensory sessions for children to explore different tastes, textures and smells. However, sometimes, staff miss opportunities to enhance learning further by providing additional challenge. This can prevent children from engaging in active learning and opportunities to think critically. n Parents speak very highly of the staff and the whole family support they receive. At a recent parents' evening session, some parents requested additional support with their children's behaviour at home. Staff recognised and responded to the differing needs of some families. They have organised a parenting workshop to

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need to do better?

focus on behavioural expectations and ways to promote continuity at home and in nursery. n Children are encouraged to be independent learners. They make choices about what they want to play with. Children are becoming aware of others and show consideration and care as they help each other to tidy up resources at the end of an activity. They know that they should wash their hands after being outside and before eating to promote their health and well-being. All children are encouraged to feed themselves, which helps them to develop strength and coordination. These opportunities help children to develop key skills and be

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need to do better?

3 November 2022 prepared for their future learning and eventual move on to school. n Staff have identified communication and language as a priority for development. They established 'chatty snack', where they ensure that mealtimes are social occasions in which children and staff hold meaningful conversations. Some staff use Makaton signing alongside speech to support children's development of spoken language. During care routines, staff make the most of opportunities to develop language through talking and rhymes. Children are making good progress in their communication and language skills. n Managers have created an environment that embraces equality and diversity. Children and staff are treated as individuals and adjustments are made to cater for their unique needs. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive additional support from staff to develop their communication

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need to do better?

skills. They have use of a sensory room to explore lights, sounds and textures in a calm environment. Children enjoy these nurturing experiences and show that they feel safe and secure. n There is a culture of continuous professional development in the nursery. For example, staff are encouraged to upskill through initial and further training, and they are supported to access training that they are interested in. However, some staff are not fully aware of what they need to work on to strengthen their practice, and opportunities for professional development are not always clearly identified.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. They know what to do and who to report to if they have concerns about a child's welfare or a colleague's conduct. Staff carry out appropriate risk assessments. They take steps to teach children how to manage risks and to keep themselves safe as they learn through play. Regular fire drills teach children how to leave the building safely in an emergency. Managers have a good understanding of safer recruitment practices and ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n provide more challenging experiences to help children to engage in active learning and to think critically n identify clear targets and focus professional development opportunities to help staff enhance their practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2589995 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10249155 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 73 Name of registered person Morton, Krystle Wendy

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reference number

Telephone number 07500803876 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Rockets Day Nursery registered in 2020. The nursery employs 19 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery operates all year round. Sessions are available Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. 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

3 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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