Little Cherubs

Inspection of Little Cherubs 50 - 52 Shortlands Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 0JP

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children feel safe at Little Cherubs nursery as a result of effective procedures in place. They play happily under the supervision of staff, who support and guide their learning well. Children have strong attachments with staff, which helps them to feel emotionally secure. They interact positively and receive lots of praise for their efforts and achievements. As a result, children feel self-assured. This is evident, for example, as they socialise with visitors and play with their peers confidently.

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The provision is good

Children experience a rich and balanced curriculum to help prepare them for the next stage of their education. For example, younger children have plenty of opportunities to develop their small muscles while playing with toy bricks in the outdoor environment. Older children practise their strong language and drawing skills by helping staff to retell the story of 'The Three Little Pigs'. Children take part in many extra-curricular activities, including outings to various places of interest. They learn to say basic words and count in other languages, such as German, French and Mandarin. This raises children's awareness of similarities and differences between people.

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need to do better?

n The manager, supported aptly by her deputy manager and staff, provides strong and effective leadership. For example, she responded very well to the challenges of COVID-19 with kindness and sensitivity to help children and their families. This has had a positive impact on children, particularly on their learning and personal development. n The long-standing staff team reports that its feels very much supported by the management team. Staff appreciate the opportunities to gain higher qualifications to develop their teaching practice. Staff also value the good training programme that is on offer. For example, some of them have increased their knowledge of how to promote children's learning in the natural environment. The impact of this training has contributed to greater confidence in children, particularly the older ones. n Children have independent access to a wide variety of toys and resources that

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need to do better?

add fun to their play. For instance, younger children enjoy exploring natural resources and everyday objects in the home corner area. This supports children's imagination and sensory skills successfully. Outdoors, children delight in making their own potions using different-sized containers and bottles. n Overall, staff promote children's good conduct. However, on some occasions, they do not explain to children what is expected of them. For example, at snack time, staff ask children to sit down while eating their food but do not remind others to do the same. Consequently, children are not always sure about staff's

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need to do better?

15 June 2023 expectations. n Staff carry out regular observations and assessments of children's progress. They provide a good balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities to keep children motivated to learn. However, at times, staff do not notice when some children may need to expand on their ideas and thoughts. This prevents staff from consolidating children's learning. n Children gain a strong understanding of numbers and other mathematical concepts, such as through songs and rhymes. Older children are able to count and match items correctly. n Staff work collaboratively with parents and outside agencies to ensure that children receive all the support they need, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Parents recognise this and are grateful to staff, who they find very accommodating and approachable. This strong partnership between staff and parents helps children to make significant

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need to do better?

progress in their early education. n The manager continues to make positive changes to the nursery to ensure that children have the best possible start in life. For example, she has adapted the curriculum to give greater weight to literacy. Following this, children are able to practise their writing skills more freely, using a wide range of materials, inside and outside. After an evaluation of their practice, the manager is exploring other ways to further promote children's creative skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager undertakes rigorous checks on staff when they are employed to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. She organises regular training to keep staff's knowledge of safeguarding up to date. This results in staff having a full understanding of the possible risks to children, including if they are being exposed to extreme beliefs or behaviour. There are clear procedures for reporting any concerns about children's safety. Staff are thorough when they check the environment to help protect children's safety and welfare. They position themselves effectively to ensure that children are supervised well.

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should:

n support staff to provide children with clear and consistent messages, ensuring they understand the behavioural expectations n make more effective use of opportunities to enable children, particularly during adult-led activities, to fully express their ideas and thoughts.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY300440 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 10295359 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 46 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person Little Cherubs Care and Education Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 650 6507 Date of previous inspection 14 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Cherubs nursery registered in 2004 and is located in the London Borough of Bromley. The nursery is open from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except public holidays. There are 13 staff members who work directly with the children. Of these, one staff member holds a childcare qualification at level 5, four hold a level 3 and five hold a level 2. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two-, three- and four-years old.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager and deputy manager showed the inspector around the nursery and explained the learning intention for the children. n The inspector observed staff and children of all ages throughout the day. She spoke with staff and interacted with children at appropriate times. n The deputy manager and inspector observed two planned activities and evaluated the impact of these on children's learning. n Parents shared with the inspector their views on the quality of the provision through verbal and written feedback. n A sample of documents was reviewed, including staff's paediatric first-aid certificates, training qualifications and suitability checks.

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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

15 June 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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