Little Learners Nursery

Inspection of Little Learners Nursery Main Road, Sellindge, Ashford, Kent TN25 6JY

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy. They leave their parents with ease and move into the open arms of their key person. Children are keen to share what they have been doing over the weekend. They talk with excitement about the trips and visits that they have been on. Children feel at home. They enter the setting with confidence, knowing the routines and what needs to be done. For example, they hang their coats up and wash their hands before going off to play.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. The settings 'golden rules' act as reminders for the children. During circle time, they discuss the rules and how to be good friends. Children show maturity and are capable of verbalising their feelings. For instance, when children are playing they will ask their friends how they feel. Upon noticing that a friend may be feeling sad, children seek adults for support.

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The provision is good

Younger children are keen explorers. They practise their physical skills, as they freely access resources. For example, children show delight when experimenting with the sensory toys. They engage with their key person, rolling musical balls to each other. They show curiosity as they pick up items, using their senses to work out what the item does.

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The provision is good

Children have plenty of opportunities to practise their emerging speech. Staff are skilled at providing an environment that encourages children to talk, sing and read. Children will choose books for staff to read to them, showing their knowledge as they repeat key phrases from stories. For example, when reading 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', children share their understanding of the life cycle, and all join in with the ending when he turns into 'a beautiful butterfly'.

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need to do better?

n The staff team have worked hard to act on the actions and recommendations raised at their last inspection. The manager has supported staff through regular supervisions, and has provided detailed and effective feedback to ensure that practice is maintained to a high standard. Staff morale is high. The committed team work well together to provide the best outcomes for the children who attend. For instance, the introduction of regular staff meetings enables the team to spend time together, giving everyone a voice on how to move the setting forward. n Children enjoy the company of the staff. Staff are animated in their approach, which makes children laugh and smile. However, at times, staff step in too quickly and this does not allow children to play and explore on their own. There is a lot of structure to the day, and at times children rely on staff to find them something to engage in. Although staff plan and provide interesting activities it

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need to do better?

6 March 2023 does not help the children become independent learners. n Parents and carers speak very highly of the nursery and the staff. They praise the staff team for making it a place children want to be. Parents speak about how children will fondly talk about their friends and are keen to go back for their next session. Parents recommend the nursery to their friends and family. They feel well supported. Parents share information on the online platform and receive information back, which they say is a useful communication tool. n Children have frequent opportunities to explore the local community. For instance, they take trips to the local fruit and vegetable stall to buy items for snack and lunch. The nursery has close links with the nearby school. Children are invited to watch their celebration assemblies, such as Christmas nativities and Harvest. Parents provide further learning opportunities by coming into the

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need to do better?

setting to talk to the children about their jobs and to share stories. This helps support children's knowledge and understanding of the wider world around them. n Children enjoy creative activities. The older children show confidence when making play dough to create caterpillars, using language, such as 'quantity' as they explore the ingredients. The younger children use paint to re-create 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. However, these experiences are heavily adult-led, resulting in all children producing the same outcome. This restricts children's creativity and freedom to explore the resources and use their imaginations. n Children are provided with a rich set of experiences that support them in being ready for school. Children enjoy being physically active in their play. They enjoy spending time in the fresh air. Older children engage in messy play activities, finding numbers and letters in slime and building with blocks. Babies enjoy

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need to do better?

exploring the soft play, developing their emerging physical skills as they learn how to move their bodies.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The staff team have worked hard to improve their knowledge of safeguarding. They confidently recognise areas of abuse and the impact they have on children. Staff understand the processes for reporting concerns about staff members to the local authority designated lead. Leaders ensure policies and procedures are kept up to date in line with local procedures. Staff have a good understanding of the safeguarding policy and how to ensure that children are kept safe. They undertake regular training on all aspects of safeguarding, including female genital mutilation, radicalisation and whistle-blowing. The setting is safe and secure. The staff follow procedures to ensure children are protected when visitors are in the setting. For example, all visitors are asked to show identification and sign into the Visitors' Book and their mobile phones are left in the office.

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should:

n review the routines of the day around adult-led activities to provide children with more independence in their play n review the provision for creative play to allow children to explore and develop their imagination.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2551231 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10262736 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 17 Name of registered person Sparkling Angels Preschool Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07426140228 Date of previous inspection 31 October 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Little Learners Nursery registered in 2020. It operates in Ashford, Kent. It is one of two provisions run by the same provider. The nursery is open each weekday, between 8am and 6pm, all year round. The setting employs four staff, two of whom hold level 6 qualifications, one with a level 3 and one currently unqualified. The setting receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. 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 joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting.

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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

6 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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