Littlegates for Little People

Inspection of Littlegates for Little People Littlegate Farm, Clensey Lane, Dry Doddington, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5HT

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is inadequate

The provider has not supported staff well enough to understand their duty to safeguard children. Staff are not fully aware of the procedures to follow should they have concerns about the conduct of another member of staff. Information about any accidents or injuries that occur at the setting are not consistently shared with parents. Furthermore, staff do not show enough professional curiosity when children arrive at the setting with existing injuries.

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The provision is inadequate

Nevertheless, children are happy at the nursery. Upon arrival, they settle quickly and show an interest in the activities on offer. Babies eagerly explore cardboard boxes, laughing with delight when staff sit them inside a box and sing 'Row, row, row your boat' to them. Staff plan many opportunities for children to sing songs and rhymes. Toddlers demonstrate that they know the words and actions to familiar songs. They ask staff to sing their favourite songs again. Pre-school children take turns to brush the teeth of puppets. Staff encourage them to share their knowledge about why it is important to keep their teeth clean and how to do so. Children talk about their experiences of visiting a dentist. Staff remind children that they need to listen as others talk, and not to talk over each other.

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need to do better?

n The provider, who is the nursery's designated safeguarding lead, has failed to identify gaps in staff's safeguarding knowledge. She has not ensured that all staff are aware of the role of the local authority designated officer (LADO) should they wish to confidentially report a concern about the conduct or suitability of another member of staff. n The current procedure in place for the supervision of staff is not fully effective. The provider has not ensured that staff are fully aware of the correct procedures for sharing information with parents. There is inconsistency in the way they record and report any accidents that happen to children while they are at the setting. n Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to put appropriate support in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff use sign language alongside verbal communication to help children

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need to do better?

to understand instructions and encourage the development of their verbal language and communication skills. Additional funding is used appropriately by the provider to meet the individual needs of children. n Parents comment that their children enjoy attending the nursery. They receive regular online updates about their child's progress and development and have the opportunity to talk to their child's key person each day. Parents say that their children enjoy completing activities at home that link to their learning at the nursery.

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need to do better?

16 November 2022 n Staff focus on ensuring that children are learning to be appropriately independent. Babies confidently crawl, cruise and walk around their room, accessing the toys that they want to play with. Toddlers help staff to tidy away the toys they have played with. Pre-school children manage their own personal hygiene, such as accessing the bathroom to use the toilet, wash their hands and wipe their own nose, with minimal support from adults. n Staff provide children with many opportunities to develop an active lifestyle, get plenty of fresh air and exercise and to learn about nature and living things. All children spend time outside each day. Pre-school children confidently ask staff to play games with them, such as 'the floor is made of lava'. They tell the inspector about the last time they played it and how much fun they had. Children show fascination in the chickens that live on the farm where the nursery is located and

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need to do better?

talk about their walks to the local alpaca farm to see the alpacas. n Staff help children to understand and express their feelings and emotions. When children fall out or squabble over a toy, staff are quick to step in and sensitively help the children resolve the conflict and think about the impact that their behaviour has on others. Pre-school children are starting to develop empathy for their friends.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff do not know that should they have concerns about the suitability of another member staff they can report this to the LADO. Although staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse, they do not take the appropriate action when children arrive at the setting with injuries. Staff do not question the cause of the injuries, and they are not fully aware of any issues and concerns in the child's home life. Staff carry out appropriate risk assessments and ensure that the premises are secure. Children are well supervised at all times while they play, sleep and eat.

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Due date

ensure staff fully understand what action to take should they have concerns about the suitability or conduct of another member of staff 09/12/2022

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Due date

ensure that all staff are aware of the role of the LADO 09/12/2022

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Due date

16 November 2022 ensure parents and/or careers are informed about any accidents or injuries that children sustain while at the setting 09/12/2022

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Due date

ensure that staff identify and respond to any signs of possible abuse and neglect 09/12/2022

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Due date

ensure that the arrangements for supervision and professional development support all staff to improve their practice, skills and knowledge. 09/12/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 253665 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10258515 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 48 Number of children on roll 65

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Name of registered person

Charlotte Warren, Gavin Naismith & Elizabeth Naismith Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01636 626067 Date of previous inspection 10 April 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Littlegates for Little People, located in Dry Doddington, Newark, Nottinghamshire registered in 1994. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 4, six at level 3 and one at level 2. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, 7.30am until 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and one week at Easter and Christmas. The nursery provides before- and after-school care and receives funding for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. 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 setting. n The provider 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 carried out joint observations of group activities with the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The provider showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

16 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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