Aspen House Children's Day Nursery

Inspection of Aspen House Children's Day Nursery 17 Millstone Lane, LEICESTER LE1 5JN

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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 arrive at the nursery eager to start their day. They separate from their parents easily and are excited to join their friends. Children behave well and show kindness. They volunteer to hold the door open for others, and they share resources and readily use their manners. Children know the nursery routines. For example, toddlers and pre-school children busy themselves as they tidy away their toys ready for carpet time. At mealtimes, children use tongs and spoons to serve themselves lunch, and they carefully pour their own water. Children are patient and take turns, asking for help from staff when they need it. This supports children's growing independence skills.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy outside play. Babies watch with curiosity as staff blow bubbles. They laugh as they try to catch the bubbles floating in the air. Toddlers and pre-school children confidently race around a track on scooters, safely navigating between the outdoor play equipment. Staff introduce a parachute game, which encourages children to work together. Children hold on to the parachute and listen carefully to instructions from staff. They cooperate as they flap the parachute up and down, trying to keep the ball from rolling away. When the ball falls off, children persevere and try again. This helps children strengthen their muscles and develop their coordination skills.

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need to do better?

n Parents are positive about the care their children receive. They feel that communication with staff is effective, and they can see that their children are making good progress. Parents comment that their children have developed good social skills and have made friends. They appreciate the help staff have given them in developing strategies to manage their children's behaviour at home. n Staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to practise their small-muscle skills. This helps children to develop the muscles they need for early writing. For example, staff support babies to use spoons to scoop up couscous. Babies are inquisitive and carefully use their finger and thumb to pick up the tiny grains, enabling them to look closer. Toddlers and pre-school children make handprints with paint. Staff provide extra challenge and show children how to use bricks to stamp paint on to paper. Children eagerly copy.

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need to do better?

n Staff generally interact well with children as they play. They carefully consider children's interests and what they want children to learn next. However, staff interactions are not consistent. For example, staff do not always notice when quieter and less-confident children want to ask a question. In addition, staff occasionally present lots of information all at once. This does not allow children the time to think and respond before they are presented with the next piece of

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need to do better?

18 November 2022 information. n Staff provide effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children with SEND have individual support plans that are regularly reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet their developing needs. This helps children, including children with SEND, to make good progress from their starting points. n Overall, daily routines are organised well and support children to learn. However, on occasion, children's learning is interrupted. For example, story time is interrupted by staff in the room talking loudly to each other. Consequently, children lose focus. They start to play with toys that are nearby and begin to chat to each other. This disrupts children's learning and their ability to fully listen and engage in the activity. n Staff extend children's mathematical knowledge. For example, children roll vehicles across wooden tracks and on the floor. Staff talk to children about

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need to do better?

speed and distance. Children eagerly find numbers around the nursery. They shout out the numbers in excitement and busy themselves as they look for more. Children beam with pride as they receive stickers for their good work, which supports their growing self-esteem. n Staff provide children with healthy meals and fresh drinking water. Managers work closely with parents to manage children's allergies and dietary requirements. Staff have a process in place to ensure this information is safely communicated across the nursery. This includes the use of different-coloured plates, to secure the safe management for individual children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. This includes those who may potentially be at risk from radical views and ideas. Staff know the procedure to follow should they need to report a concern about a child or about another member of staff. Managers ensure safer recruitment checks are undertaken to confirm the ongoing suitability of staff working with children. Staff undertake daily checks to ensure the outside area is safe for children to play in. Parents state their children are safe and secure.

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should:

n support staff to further improve their interactions with children during group activities and daily interactions, to extend children's learning and build on what they already know and can do n ensure story time is uninterrupted so children do not lose focus and have their learning disrupted.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2707699 Local authority Leicester Inspection number 10262262 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 155 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person Harp Group Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01162 512725 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Aspen House Children's Day Nursery is based in Leicester. It registered in November 2022. The nursery employs ten members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am till 5pm. The nursery 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 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 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.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a joint observation of group activity with the manager. 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

18 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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