Little Scholars Littleover

Inspection of Little Scholars Littleover 8-12 Austen Avenue, Littleover, DERBY DE23 3EY

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children happily enter the nursery and are warmly welcomed by staff. After hanging up their coats and belongings, they are keen to start exploring the stimulating resources and activities. Staff supervise children well and are attentive to their needs. They gently support and encourage children, which helps them to settle quickly and gives them the confidence to engage in different activities. For example, when using the interactive whiteboard, children are unsure at first how to complete the mathematical programme. With careful modelling from staff, they quickly grasp the game, counting groups of objects and matching them to the number symbol. Children jump with joy when they select the correct number, and their friends clap and say, 'well done'.

p.2

The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their outdoor play experiences. They have fun with their friends, sharing and taking turns on the play equipment. Children practise and develop physical skills, using the apparatus to climb and balance. They develop good coordination and strength as they use scooters and wheeled toys, learning how to negotiate around obstacles. Staff skilfully build in challenge by teaching children traditional games such as hopscotch. Children delight in sharing their newly developed skills as they hop and jump along the numbered squares.

p.2

need to do better?

n The staff know children well, which enables them to plan meaningful activities that follow children's interests, build on their skills and help them to make progress. This helps children to engage well with their learning and sustain their concentration. For example, when practising their throwing skills using a basketball hoop, staff extend children's mark-making skills by showing them how to keep a record of their scores. Children enthusiastically write their names and carefully draw a line each time they score, enhancing their involvement in the game. n Children are well supported to develop their independence skills. They confidently use cutlery at mealtimes and pour their drinks. Children receive praise from staff when they find their name labels and look after their belongings. This helps children to develop positive self-esteem. n Staff value children as individuals and show interest in their thoughts and ideas.

p.2

need to do better?

They encourage children to share their experiences from home by, for example, talking about things they have done at the weekend. Children take part in activities that help them to understand different events that some children celebrate at home, such as Chinese New Year and Eid. However, staff are less confident in broadening children's awareness of the different home languages spoken within the nursery. n Children develop a love of books and reading. They listen with interest during

p.2

need to do better?

13 February 2023 group story times, following the main events and joining in with familiar phrases they have learned. Staff skilfully ask questions to find out what children have understood about the story. For example, when reading 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt', children reflect on the bear's feelings and say, 'He must be feeling sad because he hasn't got anyone to play with.' n Children are well behaved and develop good manners and social skills. This is supported by the positive relationships they develop with each other and staff. Snack and mealtimes are lovely, sociable occasions where children enjoy talking to each other, discussing their favourite foods and what they enjoy doing. However, at times, children sit at the table for too long while waiting for others to finish. This leads some children to become unsettled. n Children confidently use their mathematical knowledge when playing. They accurately count objects and talk about shapes they see around them. When

p.2

need to do better?

making play dough models, children discuss and compare size and length while rolling and shaping the dough. As children set the table ready for lunch, they consider how many more cups they will need. n Staff build strong relationships with parents. They regularly share information about children's care routines and development. Parents comment that staff 'go above and beyond' for their child. Staff and parents work in close partnership to ensure the best outcomes for children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff are vigilant and undertake regular checks of the environment to ensure it is safe and secure for children's play. Children are closely supervised at all times, especially when eating and sleeping. This ensures that children's health and safety are well promoted. Staff have a secure understanding of child protection procedures and can recognise when a child might be at risk of harm. They know the procedures to follow should they have any concerns. The manager has thorough processes in place to ensure the suitability of staff to fulfil their roles. This includes robust recruitment procedures and ongoing suitability checks. The majority of staff have completed paediatric first-aid training, which ensures they are able to deal with any accidents quickly and appropriately.

p.3

should:

n support staff in implementing ways to value children's home languages n review the organisation of the lunchtime routine in pre-school to ensure it supports all children effectively.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 509197 Local authority Derby Inspection number 10234580 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 69 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Little Scholars Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01332 760619 Date of previous inspection 15 February 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Scholars Littleover registered in 1997 and is located in Derby. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.45am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 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 The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the 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 carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

p.5

Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

13 February 2023 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6