Little Dragon's Nursery

Inspection of Little Dragon's Nursery 4 New Street, Stourport-On-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 8UN

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

Children are safe and secure in this nursery. They enjoy the wide range of activities on offer. For example, they mix the ingredients together to make play dough and enjoy squeezing, squashing and rolling it into shapes. They use words to describe what they are doing, saying, 'I'm rolling it flat' and 'press, press, press.' Children have lots of opportunities to listen to and join in with singing. For example, babies smile with glee and bounce happily as they listen to staff singing familiar nursery rhymes. Older children join in with familiar songs, which encourages them to use the muscles in their mouth and make a variety of different noises. Favourite stories are retold by staff and children at regular times throughout the day, which helps to nurture a love of books and stories.

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The provision requires improvement

Children explore and investigate the range of learning opportunities on offer. Babies and younger children touch and squeeze the cold, coloured spaghetti. They listen to the sound of the bubble wrap popping as they crawl or toddle across it. Older children engage in imaginary play as they put bandages on their poorly dolls and take them to hospital in the dolls' wheelchairs. Staff consider how to extend children's interests in play and introduce enhancements to support learning.

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The provision requires improvement

Interactions with babies and younger children are strong. However, staff's teaching of older children is variable. The quality of interactions that stimulate and motivate children to learn is inconsistent. While these interactions are pleasant, at times some staff hover and supervise children rather than engaging in meaningful learning opportunities. This means that not all children are making as much progress as they could be.

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need to do better?

n The nursery has recently experienced some disruption, with changes in staff working with older children. However, the owner, who is also the manager, demonstrates a good vision for the setting and is very involved in improving practice. She has a positive attitude and a clear focus for improving the quality of care and education that children receive. She models good practice, as she spends time leading learning for older children. n There is a clear structure for staff supervision and appraisal. The owner meets with all staff, and there is a focused action plan in place for professional development and improvement. She is following her plan to improve the quality of teaching for older children and monitors the already good experiences for babies and younger children. n Staff know about child development and confidently highlight gaps in learning. As a result of ongoing assessment, staff who work with older children focus on

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need to do better?

personal, social and emotional development, as well as communication and

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need to do better?

25 November 2022 language development. They are learning from the nursery owner so that teaching in this area is improving. n Staff who care for babies and younger children use their secure knowledge of child development to provide interesting, exciting and challenging learning opportunities. They implement the curriculum so that it gives children time to make good progress. For older children, there are gaps in staff's knowledge of how children learn and how to teach effectively. This means that the curriculum is not embedded well enough to support good progress and to ensure it is ambitious in all areas of learning. n Children enter the nursery confidently and play happily alongside their friends. Staff are sensitive as they help younger children and babies settle. They allow them time to adjust before involving them in daily activities. Older children behave well because staff encourage them to take turns, listen to their friends

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need to do better?

and share the toys with others. However, transitions between activities are sometimes too lengthy, such as when children wait to go outside to play. This means that children become bored and distracted. n Children have good opportunities for physical development. They enjoy fresh air and exercise in the good space outside, and they get more exercise inside, with dance and movement. Younger children feed themselves and reach for a drink when they need one. However, older children do not have enough opportunity to be independent, such as during meal and snack times or when getting ready to go outside. n Parent partnerships are strong. Parents comment that they are very happy with the homely, nurturing nursery. They appreciate how staff access the local community with the children, who are taken on visits to the local park, library and join in with community activities. Partnerships with other professionals are

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need to do better?

secure. This means that when nursery leaders have concerns about children's development, they are able to seek advice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The owner ensures that staff complete safeguarding training regularly so that they are aware of their responsibilities. Staff describe the signs and symptoms that might show a child is at risk of abuse. They understand the policies and procedures to follow if they have a concern about a child. Staff are aware of their role in relation to the 'Prevent' duty guidance. They know about the signs to be aware of if a child or colleague is at risk of radicalisation or extremism. Staff complete daily safety checks of areas used, and this helps to ensure that children are safe. Security is a priority, and the system for entering the building has been carefully considered to ensure children's safety.

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Due date

provide staff with professional development opportunities that build their knowledge of how children learn and continually improve the teaching of the curriculum 28/04/2023

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Due date

raise the quality of interactions and teaching to ensure that staff consistently guide children's development to a good level. 28/04/2023

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should:

n better organise transition times between indoor and outdoor play so that children are not bored n broaden staff's understanding of how to better support children's independence, such as during snack and mealtimes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2569786 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10250852 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 39 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Little Dragon's Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01299213133 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Dragons Nursery registered in 2020. The provider employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery operates all year round. Sessions are available Monday to Friday, from 7am until 7pm. 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 carried out a learning walk with the manager and discussed how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting and completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector took account of the views of parents.

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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

25 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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