Early Learners Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Early Learners Nursery Ltd 20 Deacon Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 6ED

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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 enter this warm and welcoming nursery happily. They are pleased to see their friends and are quickly engaged in their play. Children are motivated to learn and show curiosity as they explore activities. Babies thoroughly enjoy sitting with staff as they explore books. Pre-school children are enthralled as they recreate a favourite story, eagerly waiting for the part about the flamingo. Children feel safe here. This is because of the positive relationships that they build with the staff. Younger children giggle in delight as they find the ants in the garden. Staff talk to the children about what the ants are doing and where they may be going. Babies go to staff for comfort when they are unsettled by new people in their room. Children are keen to explore the environment.

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The provision is good

Children learn to be independent from a young age. Older children put on their coats, see to their own toileting needs and help to tidy away. This helps them to prepare for the next stage in their learning. Children behave well. They learn to share their resources and take turns. Children are supportive of one another. They encourage their friends to complete difficult tasks. For example, children enthusiastically support their friends as they attempt to walk across the balancing beam. Children cheer in delight when they succeed. Consequently, children develop a positive sense of self and have confidence in their own abilities.

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need to do better?

n The setting is led by a knowledgeable and committed manager. There have been some staffing changes in recent months and the new team is coming together well. The manager is aware of the strengths of the setting and the areas for development. She has encouraged staff to come together to share good practice and ideas, which supports the children's learning. n Staff follow a curriculum that helps children to make consistent progress. Older children enjoy a wealth of interesting and enjoyable activities that support their critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills. However, staff are less clear about what the youngest children need to learn next and how. Consequently, they do not always use what they know about children to build on their learning to the highest level. n Overall, the curriculum for communication and language is effective. Children are supported to build and use a wide vocabulary. They learn words such as

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need to do better?

'peck,' 'swoop' and 'flap' as they describe what the birds are doing in the story. However, staff are less effective in engaging in quality interactions with children to support good development in other areas of communication. For example, staff often guide children through the routine of the day with little explanation or narrative to encourage back-and-forth interactions and conversations. As a result, children do not consistently learn new language structures.

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need to do better?

18 May 2023 n Children enjoy learning experiences outdoors. They spend time watching insects in the garden and talking about what they are doing. They develop good coordination and balance as they learn to negotiate the slides and climbing frame. Pre-school children gain speed on wheeled toys, carefully navigating around their friends. Babies develop confidence to crawl and pull themselves up on furniture. This helps them to develop the strength and muscles to walk unaided. n Children use mathematical language well as they play. Pre-school children are confident to count to five and beyond and recognise a wealth of shapes and numbers in the environment. Staff use counting songs well to introduce younger children to numbers and counting. Consequently, children learn about a range of early mathematical concepts. n Children learn about good health and hygiene routines through everyday activities. They understand the importance of washing their hands after going to

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need to do better?

the toilet and before mealtimes. Children confidently explain why they need to wear sun cream and hats on hot days and the importance of having lots of drinks. This helps children to stay fit and well. n Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is carefully considered. Staff work closely with parents and professionals to ensure that children receive continuous support and guidance. This helps children to reach their full potential. n Leaders value parents' contributions and apply a collaborative approach to children's care and learning. There is an effective two-way flow of communication between staff and parents, ensuring continuity for children. Parents are very complimentary about the care and support provided for their children. They comment on the 'amazing progress' children are making and on the 'fabulous staff'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding practice is of paramount importance. Staff have a good understanding of child protection and safeguarding procedures. This means they can take swift action should any concerns arise about a child or member of staff. They attend regular training to ensure their knowledge remains current. Children learn to keep themselves safe. For example, they practise how to navigate climbing frames safely. Risk management strategies are effective. This means identified risks are removed or mitigated. Robust recruitment practice means children are cared for by suitably vetted adults. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment.

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should:

18 May 2023 n support staff to understand fully how to embed the curriculum for the youngest children so that every child is provided with high-quality learning experiences n strengthen staff's understanding of how to support the youngest children's communication and language development consistently through high-quality interactions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 303434 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10286691 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 161 Name of registered person Early Learners Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0151 424 2987 Date of previous inspection 1 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Early Learners Nursery Ltd registered in 1985 and located in Widnes, Cheshire. The nursery employs 14 members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. One member of staff holds qualified teacher status. The nursery is open each weekday from 7am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. 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 and the inspector conducted a learning walk together of all the areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to and communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff at various times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of an activity in the pre-school room. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability

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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

18 May 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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