Little Hands Nursery School - Newton

Inspection of Little Hands Nursery School - Newton Newton Hall, Town Street, Newton, Cambridge CB22 7ZE

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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 motivated to learn and they are happy in their play. They seek out opportunities to experiment and learn about the world. Children are independent at snack times. They cut up their fruit and pour their own drinks. Children independently use the toilet and wash their hands. Practitioners are supportive and attentive to children's care needs. Children behave appropriately and learn to express their feelings.

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The provision is good

Children watch with anticipation as practitioners pour water from a height. They observe closely and smile as it trickles into the tray. Children talk about sharks and whales, pointing out their features. They say that 'whales have big noses'. They identify an octopus and acknowledge that it has 'lots of tentacles.' Children learn about their local community and enjoy exploring and collecting sticks from the woods.

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The provision is good

Children play tennis in the garden. Practitioners throw the ball and praise children as they use a racket to hit it. Children practise their gross motor skills riding bicycles, following the bumpy path. They line up coloured cones, making patterns and counting them. Children use different containers and spoons to transfer sand. They engage in role play, making a sand cake and putting 'a cherry on the top'.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum offers children opportunities to learn through play. Practitioners follow children's interests. Childen link stories to learning as they plant and grow beans to create their own beanstalks. They take part in focused activities, such as woodwork, and learn how to use tools safely. Children engage in singing activities and make choices of what rhymes to sing. They take turns and wait patiently. Children are encouraged to use good manners and show courtesy. n Children inspire their own learning. They are keen to try new things and seek out these experiences to 'have a go'. For example, children use boxes and wrapping paper to make presents. They use scissors confidently and enjoy sticking on the tape. This positive learning is evident in some areas of practice. However, at times, practitioners do not always use spontaneous opportunities to enhance children's learning further. n Practitioners are caring and nurturing. They are committed to supporting

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need to do better?

children and work closely as a team. The manager effectively supports practitioners' well-being. The regular supervisions give staff a voice. The manager supports practitioners' ongoing training and professional development. Practitioners agree that the management team is strong and they all work well together. Managers and practitioners are encouraged to reflect on their practice and make adaptions where needed. Practitioners take an active role in planning

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need to do better?

1 December 2022 and assessment. Key persons work hard to meet all the children's individual needs. n Children are well prepared for the next stage of their education. They have opportunities to explore numbers and early literacy in a fun and relaxed way. Children can access mark-making tools and use writing as part of their play. They paint self-portraits and learn about the features of their face. Displays celebrate the achievements of all the children. The number advent calendar is a popular working display, where children open a new storybook every day in December. Children join in with repeated refrains in books and use puppets as fun props. n Partnerships with parents are strong. They feel communication is good and that they are kept well informed of their children's progress. The nursery embraces all families and key persons develop good relationships with them. Parents feel their children are happy and safe. The nursery offers a home library and children

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need to do better?

regularly take books home in a book bag, to mirror the experiences of school. Children speak a diverse range of languages and this is well supported by practitioners. Parents are invited in to share their different cultural experiences with the children. This helps to enhance all children's learning experiences.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding across the nursery is good. Practitioners are aware of the different types of abuse and can recognise potential warning signs. They know who to report concerns to. Practitioners complete regular training to ensure they keep their knowledge up to date. The nursery has designated safeguarding leads who practitioners can go to and discuss any concerns they may have. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe. Practitioners complete daily risk assessments to ensure children are well supervised. The new procedures in place provide additional security when children and staff leave the garden areas.

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should:

n build on the good levels of teaching to extend learning opportunities, to enable children to reach their full potential.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY485511 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10236602 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 30 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Little Hands Nursery Schools Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01223872796 Date of previous inspection 8 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Hands Nursery School - Newton registered in 2015. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5.30pm, all year round, except for one week at Christmas. 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 all areas of the nursery and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed their curriculum and what it is that they want their children to learn. 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 inspector observed the interactions between practitioners and children. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n Parents provided the inspector with oral and written feedback. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of

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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

1 December 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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