Little Owls Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Owls Day Nursery Swimsmart House, Bradley Lane, Standish, Wigan, Lancashire WN6 0XQ

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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 form strong bonds with the kind and nurturing staff. They enter happily and have lots of opportunities to learn new skills. Older children use various tools to manipulate the dough. This helps them to develop their physical and creative skills. Children grow in confidence as they happily explore the well-resourced learning environment. Children demonstrate a love of books. For example, babies enjoy turning the 'touchy-feely' books. Toddlers listen attentively to their favourite stories, and older children re-enact and recall the story about a bear hunt. This supports children's early literacy and oracy skills in preparation for school.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations and instil accurate targets for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They acknowledge that some children did not gain the communication and language skills they needed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff model language well to help children to develop these skills. They also introduce new words, such as 'squidgy' and 'squash', as children play. Children display good behaviour as they wait patiently for their turn on the swing. Staff also use a range of auditory and physical cues to help children understand instructions. For example, they shake the tambourine at tidy-up time. This works very well for children who struggle with changes in their routine.

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need to do better?

n The manager is a reflective and enthusiastic professional. She confidently leads a team of equally dedicated staff to help make positive changes to the environment and teaching. Staff understand the manager's vision for continuous improvements and actively incorporate her ideas into their practice. n Staff use a range of strategies to engage children. For example, they use 'first and then' picture cards to help babies and toddlers understand when it is time to change their nappy. These visual prompts also help children with SEND understand what is happening now and next. n Residents from the local care home regularly visit the nursery and join in with children's activities. This boosts children's social and interaction skills and helps them to build special relationships with their new friends. n Staff comment on their joy of coming to work each day. They say that the manager is willing to go above and beyond to support their well-being. The

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need to do better?

manager ensures that staff have an acceptable workload, which means they can spend quality time with the children. This helps to boost staff morale, which also creates a happy environment for children. n Staff celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of all children. For example, children's families, homes and friends are highlighted in photos, which are displayed around the nursery. This helps children to recognise similarities and

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need to do better?

28 April 2023 differences between themselves and others. n Staff work hard to support children's communication and language skills. However, some staff are not as skilled as others. For example, some staff encourage children to talk while they have a dummy in their mouth. This does not fully support children's speech development. n Children develop their independence in a variety of ways. At mealtimes, toddlers learn to use different cutlery and eat independently. Pre-school children serve their own food. They also enjoy the role of being a lunchtime 'inspector'. This gives children a sense of responsibility as they help their friends at lunchtime. n The manager uses early years pupil premium funding to support disadvantaged children. For example, funding has been used to purchase resources to help children develop their listening and attention skills. n Parents formed a forum and meet with staff to discuss any improvements. This

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need to do better?

helps to build strong parent partnerships. Parents appreciate the extra activities their children receive, such as rugby and swimming lessons. These opportunities provide children with wider learning experiences. n Children borrow books from the lending library, which helps to support their early literacy skills. They also take home-learning packs home. As a result, children are able to practise new skills, such as developing their finger muscles. n The manager has introduced a curriculum which meets the needs of children. However, some staff are not as confident in teaching the curriculum. This does not consistently support children's individual learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are aware of the signs that might indicate a child is at risk of harm or abuse. They keep their knowledge up to date with regular training. The manager works cohesively with other agencies to support children's ongoing welfare. She is proactive and ensures that children and their families get the support they need in a timely manner. Safer recruitment procedures are in place and adhered to. This helps to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Children's safety is further assured because the premises are kept safe and secure.

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should:

n strengthen support for children to build on the range of words they know to help develop correct letter sounds n support new staff to develop their curriculum knowledge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY445849 Local authority Wigan Inspection number 10280529 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 61 Number of children on roll 170 Name of registered person St Bede's Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01257423606 Date of previous inspection 23 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Owls Day Nursery registered in 2012. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. 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 Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at nursery. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. 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 spoke to several parents and staff 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

28 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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