Little Learners Nursery

Inspection of Little Learners Nursery Whiteknights Campus, Pepper Lane, Reading RG6 6EH

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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 are happy, confident and settle well in this nurturing, home-from-home nursery. They have strong bonds with staff and demonstrate they feel safe and secure in their care. Children benefit from well-organised play spaces and confidently engage in play with resources of interest. Pre-school children show high levels of curiosity as they add liquids, such as shampoo, into water play. They eagerly mix and stir with a variety of tools and show excitement as bubbles start to form. Staff encourage children to persevere and practise new skills. For example, children show pride in their achievements as they successfully transport water with pipettes. This helps to build on the muscles in their wrists, hands and fingers to help support early writing.

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The provision is good

Children show good independence skills for their young age. Toddlers blow their noses, put tissues in the bin and know to wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs. They put on their coats and shoes ready for outdoor play and confidently ask for support if they need it. This helps to supports school readiness.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for every child. They work closely with other professionals to ensure early intervention. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress.

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need to do better?

n Staff spend time getting to know children write from the start. They value each child as a unique individual and embed their home languages, cultures and traditions into the setting. This supports a sense of belonging at the nursery. For instance, younger children snuggle up with staff and proudly show them their family photographs. Older children talk about events at home and confidently express their thoughts through their drawings. They show respect to their friends and listen to what they have to say with genuine interest. n Staff observe children as they play and accurately assess their development. They use this data well to plan for the individual learning needs of their key children. However, at times, some staff working with younger children, do not consistently support and challenge children's developing vocabulary and communication skills to the highest level. n Children benefit from fresh air and exercise throughout the day. Babies

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need to do better?

confidently climb on see-saws and build on their core muscles as they move backwards and forwards. Older children delight in jumping in puddles. They build on their stamina as they enthusiastically dig and make volcanoes in the sand. Those children that need some quiet time confidently engage in activities with staff under cosy, covered play spaces. n The manager values the views of parents and acts on these when making

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need to do better?

23 March 2023 improvements to the nursery. Parents speak positively about the staff team and say they are happy with their children's development. Overall, communication with parents is strong. Staff share information on children's achievements and progress, such as through daily discussions and digital media. However, they do not provide all parents with precise information on their children's next steps to help fully support children's learning at home. n Staff support children's mathematical skills well. For example, toddlers delight in painting activities and show a growing understanding of shape and colour. Pre- school children use language, such as 'full' and 'empty' during water play. They measure their towers and constructions and discuss differences in size. n The dedicated and passionate manager places a high priority on the well-being of staff. She has a clear vision and sharp focus on continually evolving the

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need to do better?

nursery. For example, recent training has improved staff knowledge and skills in how to manage children's behaviour. Staff comment they feel valued, listened to and enjoy working at the nursery. n All children across the setting behave well. For instance, babies and younger children learn to share and patiently wait their turn when taking part in activities. Children in the pre-school room negotiate and listen to the ideas of their friends. When small disputes occur, staff sensitively intervene and help children think about the feelings of others. This helps children learn to manage and regulate their emotions.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a broad knowledge of child protection issues. They can identify the signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. Staff know who to contact if they have concerns about a child's safety and welfare. The manager ensures that all staff frequently attend safeguarding training to update their knowledge. Staff maintain a safe environment for children. They complete thorough risk assessments to help ensure that the areas of the premises children access and trips off site are safe and suitable.

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should:

n support staff to consistently build on the vocabulary and communication skills of younger children, to help extend children's learning even further n enhance the already good partnerships with parents, so that all parents have information about their child's next steps and how they can further support their child's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY461079 Local authority Wokingham Inspection number 10280264 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 106 Number of children on roll 86 Name of registered person Little Learners at RUSU Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01183 784128 Date of previous inspection 15 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Learners Nursery re-registered in 2013, and previously registered in 1997. The nursery is managed by The University of Reading Student's Union Committee. The nursery is open five days a week, from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery employs 26 staff to work with the children. Of these, 13 hold a qualification at level 3, and two staff, including the manager, hold a level 6 qualification. 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 setting 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 held discussions with staff, the manager and provider at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk together across all areas of the nursery to understand how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector spoke to children and observed children's activities and staff teaching, inside and outdoors. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including staff's suitability to work with children. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussions and written testimonials.

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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

23 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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