Little Dolphins Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Dolphins Day Nursery 56 Lessness Avenue, BEXLEYHEATH, Kent DA7 5SJ

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in this friendly nursery. It is clear that children are at the heart of everything that staff do. Children are confident and sociable and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They gain new skills, make progress and consistently build on their learning. All children can access the experiences on offer, as staff adapt activities to suit children's individual needs. Staff support children's learning effectively. For instance, when a child starts a new activity, a member of staff will sit with them to model what to do. This helps children engage in learning for longer periods.

p.2

The provision is good

The manager knows the setting very well and has clear intentions for what she wants children to learn. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the areas of learning and development and how they implement these. Babies develop their small and large muscles as they explore the cars and use the swing with enthusiasm. Toddlers develop their fine motor skills and understanding of oral health during play. They squeeze water through bottles and brush the sea creatures' teeth. Pre-school children begin to develop skills needed for school. They count how often they bounce when using the bouncy balls together with their friends. Children make good progress in their development.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff are enthusiastic and motivated. They are led by a passionate manager, who is dedicated to the nursery's ongoing development. She evaluates the practice of staff and the quality of the provision. The manager leads regular supervision and team meetings and monitors staff practice. However, her knowledge of the provision, including staff practice, is not always precise enough to identify all areas of development. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The manager and staff work hard to support good communication with parents. Staff communicate successfully with parents. They use daily chats and messages as well as entries in an online app. Parents comment that they feel informed about their children's learning and praise the work of the friendly staff team. n Staff have high expectations for children and what they can achieve. They are good role models for children, both in their play and their interactions with each

p.2

need to do better?

other. For example, staff are helping children to be curious and excited as they explore different textures and sounds. Older children learn about the importance of teamwork when tidying up together with staff. n Staff use regular observations and assessments of their key children to plan the curriculum. These link closely to babies' and children's emerging interests. This helps to provide stimulating learning experiences for each age group. Children form close bonds with their key persons. This demonstrates how well the staff

p.2

need to do better?

14 March 2023 know the children. n All children make good progress, including those who speak English as an additional language and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff act promptly if children have gaps in their learning. They liaise with other agencies as well as with parents. This provides children with continuity in their learning and promotes children's long-term learning outcomes. n The cook prepares fresh and nutritious meals at the setting. Children are involved in preparing some of their snacks. This helps them learn about safe food preparation and about making healthy food choices. Mealtimes are sociable as children sit and talk to their friends. These experiences contribute to children's understanding of their health and to their social development. n Staff are helpful and are supporting children to develop their independence skills. Toddlers independently get paper towels when they spill water during

p.2

need to do better?

their play. Pre-school children independently find their name when they self- register on arrival at the setting. This helps children to be ready for their next step in education. However, during some daily routines such as mealtimes, children are not always learning how to further develop their independence skills.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager has a secure understanding about her role and responsibility to ensure that children and staff are safe at the setting. Staff complete thorough risk assessments of the setting. This helps to provide a safe and suitable learning environment for children. The manager knows how to work with other professionals to help keep children safe. She ensures that all staff receive appropriate safeguarding training. This helps them assess whether a child may be at risk of abuse and the appropriate action to take. Staff know what to do if they have concerns about the conduct of a colleague and who to report to outside the setting.

p.3

should:

n review how daily routines such as mealtimes can be more effective to further develop all children's independence skills n strengthen the setting's evaluation processes to be able to further identify areas of development to raise the quality of the setting to an even higher standard.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY498121 Local authority Bexley Inspection number 10244026 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 31 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Little Dolphins Day Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 0208 312 1919 Date of previous inspection 23 March 2022

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Dolphins Day Nursery opened in 2013 and re-registered in 2015. It is situated in Bexleyheath, in the London Borough of Bexley. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6.30pm, for 51 weeks of the year. It is in receipt of funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years. There are 12 members of staff, all of whom hold early years qualifications at level 2, 3 or 5.

p.4

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 manager and inspector carried out a learning walk together to discuss the setting's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector made observations throughout the inspection of children's experiences in the setting and assessed the impact that these were having on children's learning. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation and discussed the impact this had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents and children and took account of their views. n The inspector held discussions with the manager about safeguarding and how she evaluates her practice.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

14 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6