Little Gems Nursery

Inspection of Little Gems Nursery Green Heath School & College, 43-51 Whitmore Road, Birmingham, West Midlands B10 0NR

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Staff use their observations and assessments of children's learning well to plan activities and experiences that build on what children know and can do. Older children use chalk to write letters on the ground outside and identify their sounds.

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The provision is good

Children have many opportunities to be creative, to develop their sensory skills and to explore of a variety of textures and materials. For example, older children explore, predict and problem solve as they attempt to free the small-world animals from the large blocks of ice. They use tools to chip away at the ice and then pour warm water onto the ice to melt it. Younger children are engrossed in their play as they use their fingers to squash the jelly and to search for the hidden sea animals. They learn to identify and name the sea animals.

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The provision is good

Children make links with community members, such as the local fire fighters who visit the nursery. They sit in the fire engine, dress up as fire fighters and hold the fire hose. Children are very excited and ask lots of questions. Staff take the children to the library and read a range of books with them. This helps to develop children's love of books. Children develop strong bonds with staff who help them feel safe and secure. They are self-confident and keen to learn.

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need to do better?

n The management team have worked very closely with the local authority adviser to ensure significant improvements have been made since the last inspection. As a result, staff follow a monthly themed curriculum that provides exciting activities and experiences across all areas of children's learning. These themes follow children's interests, incorporate what staff are trying to help children to learn next and build children's vocabulary. n Staff make sure that circle time provides older children with regular opportunities to learn about their feelings and to build their social, communication and mathematical skills. However, on occasions, staff miss opportunities to engage less-confident children in group singing activities. n Staff regularly share information about children's progress with parents, such as through daily discussions and parents' evenings. Parents spoken to value the comfort and reassurance that staff provide to new children to help them settle in

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need to do better?

and feel secure. n Staff are passionate about understanding and supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They work in partnership with parents, the nursery's special educational needs coordinator and any other professionals involved. This joined-up-approach helps children with SEND to make the best possible progress. n Staff provide children with opportunities to explore and learn about healthy

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need to do better?

1 March 2023 foods in an engaging way, separate from mealtimes. For example, they explore pomegranates, make fruit salads and cook scrambled egg. This, along with discussion, helps to consolidate children's learning. n Staff take the children to the local outdoor playground. Here, they pick up leaves and sticks and watch the birds. Staff provide children with regular opportunities to develop their balance and coordination skills outdoors. For example, children play on the see-saw and numerous ride-on toys. This helps children to learn to take manageable risks and experience challenge in their play. n Children have good opportunities to learn about the similarities and differences in people. For example, they learn about religions and cultures that are different to their own, and they hear other children and staff speak in various languages. Staff provide effective support for children who speak English as an additional

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need to do better?

language. They are positive role models for children. Children behave well. n The management team regularly observes and evaluates staff's teaching practice. They also provide individual meetings with staff where they can discuss any concerns and their developmental opportunities. This helps to ensure staff's teaching practice is consistently good. n The management team regularly attends the early years network meetings run by the local authority. This, along with training, helps them to make sure that they are constantly updated with new legislation and national and local initiatives. However, the management team do not always fully explore how additional grants can be precisely targeted to help socially disadvantaged children make the greatest possible progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding lead has undertaken appropriate safeguarding training. Staff have a good understanding of the possible signs of abuse and a strong awareness of their duty to report any concerns in a timely manner. They complete daily visual safety checks to minimise any hazards in the environment and continuously check that children are kept safe. The management team ensures that robust safer recruitment procedures are followed. Staff inform parents of any accidents and the treatment given to help promote the well-being of children.

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should:

n enhance less-confident children's enjoyment and involvement in group singing activities n analyse further how to best use the early years pupil premium funding and assess the impact it has on the outcomes for children, so that all children's learning is promoted to the highest possible level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY560366 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10244448 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 47 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Little Gems Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07505543582 Date of previous inspection 16 May 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Little Gems Nursery registered in 2018. It is one of two nurseries managed by Little Gems Nursery Limited. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff who all hold appropriate early years qualifications. This includes one at level 6, three at level 3 and a further three at level 2. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3.30pm. The nursery receives funding to provide free early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and the provider completed a 'learning walk' across all the areas of the nursery to understand how the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of an activity was carried out by the inspector and the provider. n The inspector held discussions with staff and evaluated how well they assess children's progress and plan for the next steps in their learning. n The inspector held a meeting with the provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and children spoken to on the day.

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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 March 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.

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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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