Little Explorers Nursery

Inspection of Little Explorers Nursery 126 Bucklands End Lane, Birmingham B34 6BP

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children enjoy the time they spend at this nursery, playing with friends and staff. They show that they feel happy and safe as they confidently make decisions in their play. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress in their learning. The manager and staff provide children with good support to achieve their development milestones and ensure they have the skills they need in readiness for school. Older children, concentrate very well and eagerly take part in activities that help them to develop their hand muscles in readiness for writing. They use smaller pieces of construction equipment and design with a clear purpose. They use their hands and fingertips to create flower paintings.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and understand the high expectations that staff have of them. They follow staff instructions, such as to safely cross the courtyard to get to the outdoor area. Children develop good social skills. Two-year-old children show an interest in the play and activities of others. They move closer towards other children to find out what they are doing. Older children play together happily and develop storylines in their play. They imagine they are superheroes and pretend to climb the wall like a spider.

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need to do better?

n Leadership is strong. The manager and area manager oversee the quality of the service they provide and identify areas to further develop. They provide staff with helpful training and support so they can extend their professional skills. This includes further training to support children with SEND and to help children to manage their feelings and behaviour. n The manager has developed an ambitious curriculum that reflects the needs of the children who attend the nursery, particularly for their communication and language development. She is aware of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's development and ensures that staff focus on addressing any gaps in children's experiences. n The manager and staff place a strong focus on supporting children's communication and language skills. Children pretend to be the wind and blow on an umbrella. This supports their mouth muscles for speaking. They copy staff

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need to do better?

who model language, such as 'rain', 'wind', 'blow' and 'umbrella'. Staff understand how to encourage children to use their language skills and ask for what they want, such as the cutlery they need at mealtimes. n There is an effective key-person system in place. Staff have a good knowledge of children's achievements and progress at home. Overall, they plan well for children's development. However, they do not focus the adult-led activities and some learning experiences as well as possible, to precisely reflect the children's

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need to do better?

16 March 2023 individual learning targets. This means that staffs' teaching does not always focus specifically on what children need to learn next. n Children are well-motivated to play and learn. They have regular, daily access to outdoor play experiences. This includes visits to the park and trips into the local community. However, staff do not make the best use of the outdoor space to plan learning experiences that fully challenge children to build on their knowledge and skills. n The manager and staff successfully use books to extend children's knowledge and understanding across the seven areas of learning. For example, older children learn about springtime and the changes that take place during this season, such as flowers beginning to grow. n Parent partnerships are good. Parents speak very highly about the manager and the staff team. They appreciate the dedication that they show towards their children. Staff provide parents with regular communication about their child's

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need to do better?

progress so that they can further support learning at home. Staff spend time with parents of new children so that they can gain a secure understanding of children's personalities and needs. n Staff support children to develop a 'can-do' attitude. They encourage them to manage everyday tasks for themselves, such as dressing in outdoor clothes, putting on aprons and peeling fruit at snack time. n Staff support children's health well. They follow good hygiene routines and teach children about the importance of regular handwashing. Children have access to fresh drinking water. They enjoy the healthy snacks and meals that the nursery provides. Staff encourage parents to support their healthy eating policy with the packed lunches they send in for their children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff complete effective risk assessment to keep children safe. They take prompt action to address any hazards to children. Staff understand the procedures for managing accidents and hold paediatric first-aid qualifications. Leaders take effective action to manage any accidents that children have. Leaders and staff have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding policy and procedures. They understand a range of signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know how to report any concerns to the relevant services to get children and families the help that they need. Leaders complete thorough vetting checks to ensure the suitability of staff.

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should:

n use children's assessment information to plan learning experiences that are

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should:

16 March 2023 precisely targeted to what the children need to learn next for their stage of development n enhance the opportunities for children's outdoor learning so that this fully reflects the ambitious curriculum.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY542260 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10282419 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 29 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Little Explorers (Birmingham) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01217497876 Date of previous inspection 12 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Explorers Nursery registered in 2016 and is located in Birmingham. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, six staff hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 3 to level 5, including one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday during term time only. 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 This was the first routine inspection the nursery 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 setting. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 communication and language

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Inspection activities

activity with the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

16 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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