Little Academy Nursery

Inspection of Little Academy Nursery Tipton Sports Academy, Wednesbury Oak Road, TIPTON, West Midlands DY4 0BS

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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 being a part of this friendly and welcoming nursery. They form strong bonds with the staff and ask them to join in with their play. Children watch intently as staff make marks in a tray with chalk and enjoy using water to make the chalk lines disappear. Children learn to use large and small movements to develop their mark-making skills. Staff are good role models for children and encourage respectful behaviour. They remind children of behaviour expectations and support children to learn how their behaviour affects others. Children enjoy climbing the ladder of success board when they achieve new skills or because of the kind behaviour they show to others.

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The provision is good

Children learn to develop a sense of belonging. They sit with staff and talk about what they have done on their holidays. They look through photos and talk about the activities they took part in. Staff are intuitive and recreate similar experiences for children to complete at nursery. They practise painting rocks and recall designs they created on holiday. Staff use this opportunity to encourage all children to share their experiences and acknowledge the new skills they have learned.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have a clear vision of what they want children to learn. They focus on building children's confidence and independence. Children have opportunities to use the attached sports centre and learn how to navigate unfamiliar spaces with support from staff. This helps to prepare children for their next stage of learning. n Staff plan activities for children based on their interests and what they choose to play with during the day. They talk to children about what they are doing and let children lead their own learning. However, when children come to the end of an activity, staff do not always know how to extend the activity to capture children's interest even further. n Children learn to be physically healthy. They have opportunities to be active and use the outdoor facilities at the sports centre. They learn the importance of eating healthily and how this affects their oral health. Children use a model

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need to do better?

mouth to practise brushing teeth and notice when teeth are completely clean. n Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. They are good role models for children and remind them to be kind to each other. Children manage conflict in a calm manner and are beginning to learn how their behaviour affects others. Staff mindfully praise children for their kind behaviour which helps reinforce their expectations. n Children learn to be effective communicators. Staff use open-ended questioning techniques to support children to think critically and develop their problem- solving skills. Staff ask children, 'What happens when you mix different-coloured

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need to do better?

12 April 2023 paint together'? Children watch as paint changes colour and describe what is happening. n Staff review children's progress regularly. They use assessment effectively to identify any gaps in children's development and create suitable learning goals for children based on what they know about them. Children's learning targets are displayed throughout the nursery to support staff to implement these in each area of learning. n Parents are viewed as an important part of children's experiences at nursery. Staff share ideas for helping children to learn at home and meet regularly with parents to review children's progress. Parents comment that their children are happy to attend and appreciate the support they receive from the staff team. They especially value the daily updates they receive about the activities children have enjoyed during their day. This helps provide consistency of care. n Staff regularly improve their personal development. Leaders identify training for

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need to do better?

staff to complete which increases their knowledge and skills about children's learning. However, staff are not always given opportunities to implement what they have learned in practice. Leaders often step in and take the lead during learning activities, rather than providing coaching. This means other staff members sometimes sit and watch, rather than being actively involved in progressing children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children. They can identify signs which may mean a child is at risk of harm and know the procedures to follow should a concern arise. Staff understand the procedures to follow if an allegation is made against another member of the staff team. Risk assessments are carried out daily and any identified risks to children are actioned and reduced. Leaders ensure staff have received safeguarding training and appropriate recruitment procedures are in place to ensure the suitability of staff.

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should:

n strengthen coaching strategies for staff to build their confidence in leading activities for children n consider the planning of activities to further enhance the learning opportunities offered to children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY366156 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 10284990 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 14 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person Willan, Elaine

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reference number

Telephone number 0121 796 1520 Date of previous inspection 5 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Academy Nursery registered in 2008. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7.45am to 5pm, all year round except for bank holidays. 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 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 inspector spoke with the nominated individual/registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. 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

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Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

12 April 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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