Little Crickets Nursery

Inspection of Little Crickets Nursery Walsall Cricket Club, Gorway Road, Walsall WS1 3BE

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children enter this nursery with excitement, and staff are enthusiastic in their welcome. Staff create a homely but very lively learning environment, where children flourish. All children settle quickly due to the exceptional warmth and care that they receive. Staff are exemplary role models. Their overriding commitment to the children and families means they provide the very best care and education. The environment allows children to flourish and develop confidence and independence. For example, they are able to make choices about what they play with, and older children independently manage their own clothing and hygiene.

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The provision is outstanding

Children enjoy a wealth of opportunities to explore the world around them and understand the seasons. This includes visits to the local woods to see spring flowers as they start to grow. Children start to develop an understanding of a plant's life cycle. They plant marigold seeds so they can observe them growing. As they plant the seeds, older children prove their understanding as they comment that the seeds 'will need lots of sunshine and water to grow'. Children also observe spring flowers and enjoy painting tulips. They excitedly choose the colour they want to paint with and try and match it to the flower. Younger children maintain focus and capably attempt to mix the colours they wish to make. Staff skilfully help children to describe what they can see and help them to carry out their ideas. Older children expand their vocabulary further as staff model language, such as 'stem', 'bud' and 'petal', as they paint.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum intent is clearly evident. Staff are confident and understand the skills children require to make progress. The quality of teaching is outstanding, and staff demonstrate that they understand how young children learn. Staff meticulously plan a breadth of activities based on children's interests and their next steps in learning. As a result, children are eager to learn and make rapid progress from their individual starting points. n Staff have high expectations of all the children. They establish excellent partnerships with other professionals involved in children's care and learning. Children who speak English as an additional language receive wonderful support, and staff successfully extend their understanding and language skills. For example, they have one-to-one time with staff to learn new English words, and staff gather some keywords from children's home language. During large-group

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need to do better?

time, staff are effective in the way in which they engage children. For example, they always include actions as they sing. This helps all children to fully take part and helps to prepare them for their next stage in learning. n Staff place a strong focus on the promotion of children's language skills. Children enjoy a wide range of stories and practise new words, such as 'squelch' and

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need to do better?

7 March 2023 'squash', from their favourite books. They also sing lots of rhymes and songs. This happens quite naturally as part of their routine and play. For example, children love to sing the 'tidy up' song at the end of the session. Pre-school children are confident talkers who are able to explain their thoughts and ideas. For example, they say, 'I am going to take my binoculars to the window. I can see birds in the sky.' n Staff promote children's physical development extremely well. They support them to play with bats and balls and teach them how to throw and catch balls. Older children are starting to ride bicycles with confidence. Indoors, children are able to use a trowel to scoop soil into a plant pot from a bag. They use their finger and thumb to pick a seed up and place it in the soil. They then use their hands and fingers to push and pat the soil down. Children have plenty of opportunities in which to develop essential small- and large-muscle skills.

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need to do better?

n Parents comment that the team is attentive and supports children remarkably well. They say that staff share regular updates on children's learning and discuss ways to support their child at home. Parents describe the nursery as 'inclusive', 'homely' and 'always there to help families'. They highlight the incredible support shown during the COVID-19 pandemic, when children were unable to attend. n Staff provide a breadth of interesting activities for children to explore different cultures and faiths and enhance their understanding of others. For example, children visit local places of worship, including the local Sikh temple and a church. Children also learn about each other's experiences through dance, music and food. Staff help children to celebrate differences. Children listen to stories from a range of dual-language books. n The manager has a clear vision to drive the nursery forward. Staff feel valued

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need to do better?

and supported in their roles. This has a strong impact on their well-being and personal development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff team are extremely vigilant. They have an excellent knowledge of safeguarding procedures and their role in keeping children safe from harm. Staff access a range of safeguarding training to ensure their knowledge is up to date. Safeguarding documentation is clearly displayed for staff to refer to if it is needed. Staff recognise when a child may be at risk of harm and understand the many signs of possible abuse. The environment is extremely safe, with regular risk assessments carried out. Children's attendance is monitored, and staff recognise the importance of following up on any concerns. Staff suitability is checked during regular supervision meetings, and recruitment procedures are extremely robust.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2621516 Local authority Walsall Inspection number 10264422 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Little Crickets Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07866570602 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Crickets Nursery registered in 2020 and is located in Walsall. The nursery employs five members of staff. Of these, two staff have level 6 qualifications, and a further three staff hold level 3 qualifications. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.50am until 12.50pm and 12.50pm to 2.50pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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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 viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 joint observations of group activities with the 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

7 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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