Little Lambs Kindergarten

Inspection of Little Lambs Kindergarten 131a Stapley Road, HOVE, East Sussex BN3 7FG

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's curiosity and love of nature and learning are nurtured in this exciting environment. Children happily arrive and are warmly greeted by the friendly staff. They learn about the world around them and make assessments about risk and safety together. For example, younger children dress the 'weather bear' outdoors while reflecting on the suitability of their own clothing. Older children sing the 'weather song' and assess correctly that it is safe to climb trees today.

p.2

The provision is good

Forest school sessions stimulate an enormous amount of learning and opportunities for the children to practise new skills. For example, they learn about the life cycle of the frog when observing real frog spawn. In addition, children use tools to build and design during woodwork sessions. Staff have high expectations of children, who show positive attitudes and friendly behaviour towards each other. For example, children work together when pulling filled buckets on pulleys between them.

p.2

The provision is good

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from effective support. The manager and special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) work closely with outside agencies. This helps to ensure that children with SEND and their families receive the support they need. Staff use additional funding effectively to help promote children's development, which helps them reach their potential.

p.2

need to do better?

n The passionate manager and her leadership team have a clear vision and intent for the curriculum. They understand what children know and need to learn next. For example, they understand the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's personal development and have put strategies in place to support them, such as home visits. This has a positive impact on children's attachments at the setting. n Children are highly motivated in this imaginative and engaging environment. Older children excitedly explore and problem solve in the 'secret garden'. For example, they confidently climb trees, developing their muscles and coordination. In addition, they freely jump in muddy puddles with joy. Children learn to negotiate with each other when building with large-scale construction materials and imaginatively create and play with 'pirate ships'. n Babies receive sensitive care and support from familiar adults, who know them

p.2

need to do better?

well. Staff are warm, responsive and consistently praise the efforts of babies. For example, at mealtimes, babies are encouraged to feed themselves and receive gentle support and consistent praise for doing so. When babies use single words, staff respond sensitively by repeating and remodelling these to

p.2

need to do better?

24 February 2023 them. This helps babies to feel valued and listened to. n Younger children delight in making 'fairy fishing rods' with sticks and string and eagerly set about 'catching fairies' in the garden. Staff introduce children to mathematical language while building sandcastles, such as 'bigger', 'smaller', 'full' and 'empty'. However, at times, staff do not fully extend their interactions and teaching. This does not support the development of younger children to a higher level. n The manager values the well-being of her staff team and ensures they receive regular supervisions and mentoring. There are effective processes to support staff's professional development. However, these are not yet fully successful in raising the quality of interaction and teaching to the highest level. n Support for children with SEND is good. The manager and SENCo use inclusion funding accurately and work alongside outside professionals to target support

p.2

need to do better?

precisely. For example, children with SEND receive specific staff support to explore the calming sensory room. In addition, there is a strong focus on promoting children's speech and language development. n Overall, children's behaviour is good, and staff support children's learning well. Children have a good understanding of the routine and boundaries and follow instructions well. At times, staff do not organise some routines well in the younger age group. For instance, toddlers became restless while waiting for their lunch, as there are few meaningful learning experiences. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents praise the staff for being flexible and supportive. They say staff provide good information about children's development through verbal feedback and the online app. Parents report that there has been a positive impact on their children's development since starting at the setting. This includes improved behaviour and increased vocabulary.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and her staff team understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities well. Staff have a secure understanding of how to recognise indicators that may raise their concerns. They know who to report concerns to about children or staff. The manager follows safer recruitment and vetting practices stringently. This helps to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff complete effective risk assessments, which helps to check that the premises are safe and secure. Staff support children to develop their awareness of how to keep themselves safe. For example, they explain the safety rules of using woodwork tools.

p.3

should:

24 February 2023 n organise the routine around mealtimes more effectively for younger children, to reduce waiting times and support children's learning consistently n build on support for staff to enhance the already good levels and quality of interaction and teaching with younger children to the highest level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY486013 Local authority Brighton and Hove Inspection number 10264864 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 119 Name of registered person Little Lambs Kindergarten Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01273 933631 Date of previous inspection 28 June 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Little Lambs Kindergarten registered in 2015. It operates from premises adjacent to Knoll Park in Hove, East Sussex. The nursery is open Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am to 6pm, and on Friday, from 7.30am to 5pm, for 50 weeks of the year. It also offers care before and after school and holiday care for school-aged children. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 24 staff, of whom 13 hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 and above. The manager holds a level 5 qualification.

p.5

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 nursery. n The inspector went on a learning walk with the manager to establish the priorities for the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and daily routines to assess the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n The inspector held a discussion with the manager in relation to the leadership and management of the nursery. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of Disclosure and Barring Service checks, first-aid certificates and vetting checks. n The inspector invited parents to share their views. The inspector took account of

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

24 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7