Littlegates for Little People

Inspection of Littlegates for Little People Littlegate Farm, Clensey Lane, Dry Doddington, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5HT

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children's focus on learning centres around fun and playful interactions with staff. Staff use these interactions to skilfully teach children the knowledge and skills that they need to make good progress. They plan activities around children's interests to engage and excite them, and through this, staff successfully support age- appropriate learning and development. Toddler's communication and language development are promoted through activities which staff have planned around transport and vehicles. Their listening and attention skills develop through a game of 'sound bingo'. Children recognise the noise of a motorbike and mark this off their bingo cards. Other children use their developing language to act out stories and songs about transport. Their imaginations take them to the seaside, where they share ice cream with their friends.

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The provision is good

Staff provide opportunities for children to learn social skills from an early age. Throughout the nursery, mealtimes are a social occasion where staff role model appropriate behaviours. Pre-school children are heard politely asking their friends for 'more toast please'. They take turns by passing toast and milk around the table, ensuring everyone has some snack to enjoy. This creates an environment where children feel safe and happy. Their emotional well-being is secured through the positive relationships they have with staff and their peers.

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need to do better?

n The manager has made sure that the necessary improvements have been made since the last inspection. Staff are now confident in their knowledge of what to do should they have a concern about the conduct of a colleague. Supervision processes have been tightened to better identify gaps in staff's knowledge. Procedures to record injuries that children sustain at home or within the nursery have been strengthened, and staff now routinely record this information. n Staff have built strong partnerships with parents and carers. Parents report that they feel involved in their child's learning and well communicated with. Recently, to celebrate World Book Day, parents were invited into the nursery to read a favourite story to their child and their friends. Parents explain they find the online learning app beneficial in knowing what their child is doing at nursery. This informs parents of how they can further support their child's learning at

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need to do better?

home. n The manager uses additional funding effectively to support the learning and development of those who are entitled to it. Additional staff are employed to work with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The specific skills and qualifications that these staff hold mean that children with SEND are receiving high-quality care and education. This helps to accelerate their learning and development and supports them to reach their own unique

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need to do better?

25 April 2023 potential. n In the most part, staff deliver a curriculum in which children can learn, practise and successfully use new skills and knowledge. For example, pre-school children carefully turn the pages when they share a story together, demonstrating their knowledge of how to handle a book. However, this is not consistent. Sometimes, staff complete tasks for children which they could achieve independently. For example, staff provide children with cut and buttered toast, when they could use this as an opportunity for children to develop these skills for themselves. n Staff use successful strategies to shape children's good behaviour. For example, when staff introduce children to a new activity, they give clear information about any rules and boundaries before the fun and learning begins. This means that, from the onset, children know what is expected from them, creating a positive learning environment for all.

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need to do better?

n Staff utilise the nursery's rural location to support children's physical and mental health. Children discover new flowers and meet baby lambs while on nature walks. Staff teach yoga to support older children's well-being. All children benefit from the nursery's expanse of outdoor space, where staff support physical skills such as running and climbing.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager has ensured that previous safeguarding and welfare actions have been met. Staff know the procedures to escalate any concerns that they may have about children's safety and welfare. They have refreshed their knowledge around child protection, and the manager has confirmed their understanding. Children play in a risk-free environment. They are well supervised at all times, including while eating and sleeping. Staff are trained in first aid, which means they can respond appropriately to injuries and minor medical emergencies. Staff's ongoing suitability to fulfil their roles is confirmed.

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should:

n extend opportunities for children to learn, practise and use new skills throughout all aspects of the daily routine, such as at mealtimes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 253665 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10266542 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 48 Number of children on roll 68

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Name of registered person

Charlotte Warren, Gavin Naismith & Elizabeth Naismith Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01636 626067 Date of previous inspection 16 November 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Littlegates for Little People, located in Dry Doddington, Newark, Nottinghamshire registered in 1994. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status. Two members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 4 and eight at level 3. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5.30pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and one week at Easter and Christmas. The nursery provides before- and after-school care and receives funding for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the nursery and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children confidently communicated with the inspector during the inspection. 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 gardening activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to three parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

25 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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Inspection activities

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