Little Sparks Ltd

Inspection of Little Sparks Ltd 5 Super Street, Clayton le Moors, ACCRINGTON, Lancashire BB5 5ST

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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 are happy and demonstrate that they feel safe in the home-from-home environment. All staff share the manager's ethos of ensuring children and their families feel a true sense of belonging within the nursery. As children arrive, they are excited to explore and play with their friends. They leave their parents with ease and greet staff with smiles. Children are confident and self-assured, because their opinions are truly valued. For example, they engage in meaningful discussions with staff, as they decide the nursery menus for the week ahead.

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The provision is good

Children are engaged and motivated in their chosen activities, and show a willingness to learn and try new things. For example, babies and toddlers enjoy stepping on the sensory tiles. They laugh as they feel the different sensations under their feet. Older children create letters and safely use scissors, as they cut tape and wrap up parcels. They develop the strength in their hands, which prepares them well for future learning, such as writing. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have supported children with their social interactions. They ensure children form respectful and supportive relationships with staff. This helps children to develop their confidence.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is designed to help children become confident and independent. All staff share the desire to prepare children for the next stage in their learning. This approach is consistently embedded across the nursery. Children benefit from learning that builds on what they know and can do. n The manager supports staff and ensures they can carry out their roles effectively. Staff feel that their well-being is prioritised by leaders. However, arrangements to monitor staff practice are not yet precisely focused enough to raise the good quality of teaching to the highest level across the nursery. As a result, there is some variation in the experiences of children. n Overall, staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and conduct. However, some children do not consistently demonstrate that they have a clear sense of right and wrong. Staff in the pre-school room have to regularly intervene to manage children's behaviour. They do this effectively, however, it

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need to do better?

does impact on other children's learning as activities are sometimes interrupted. This means other children lose interest in the activity. n Staff prioritise children's language development. They engage children in interesting conversations and eagerly narrate children's play. Children develop their vocabulary as they learn a wide range of nursery rhymes and action songs. They enjoy these opportunities and are excited to choose their favourite songs. Younger children do this as they select a picture, and older children instruct a voice-activated speaker to play their chosen songs. All children are able to

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need to do better?

11 November 2022 express their choices confidently. n Children develop their physical strength, as they expertly climb on equipment and run around the garden. Staff model different ways to move, such as jumping and hopping, to help children strengthen their bodies. Babies show good upper-body strength, as they pull themselves up and climb on the soft-play equipment. This helps them to gain good balance and coordination in readiness for walking. n Children learn about the community in which they live. They participate in fundraising events, learn about the emergency services and people who help them. Children celebrate important events in the local area. For example, children learned about Remembrance Day as they completed a one-minute silence, and laid a wreath of poppies in the local park. These activities help children develop a respectful attitude. n Parental partnerships are a strength of this nursery. Leaders and staff work

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need to do better?

tirelessly to ensure parents feel part of the 'Little Spark's family'. Parents are regularly invited into nursery to participate in activities, such as story time and stay-and-play sessions. Staff provide parents with information about their children's time at the nursery. Parents are happy that staff share ideas on how they can support their children's learning at home. This helps to develop a consistent approach children's to learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff are committed to safeguarding children's welfare. They accurately identify the potential signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. Staff know the procedures to follow if they are concerned about children's welfare or the practice of another member of their team. Children learn about road safety when playing with toy cars and safety signs in the garden. They also learn about road safety when they venture on outings in the community. As a result, children learn how to keep themselves safe.

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should:

n strengthen procedures to monitor staff practice to raise the good quality of teaching to the highest level n enhance arrangements for children to learn about what is right and wrong, so all children clearly understand what is expected of their behaviour.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY389477 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10233741 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 50 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person Little Sparks Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01254 399266 Date of previous inspection 13 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Sparks Nursery Ltd registered in 2009. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3 or above. One member of staff holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. 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 nursery 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 inspector observed the quality of education being provided, both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The managers and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Parents, staff and children shared their views with the inspector. n The manager and the inspector carried out joint observations of activities and evaluated their effectiveness together.

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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

11 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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