Little Learners Nursery and Preschool

Inspection of Little Learners Nursery and Preschool 15 St. Nicholas Avenue, HORNCHURCH, Essex RM12 4PT

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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 thoroughly enjoy attending this welcoming setting. They build affectionate bonds with the kind and caring staff, who know them well and are attentive to their needs. This helps children to feel safe and secure, and they settle well and are comfortable and at ease. Children explore the environment with confidence and make choices about their play. They interact positively with staff and speak happily about their friendships with other children.

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The provision is good

Children respond positively to staff's high expectations. They follow the setting's routines, use good manners and are kind towards others. Children develop good levels of independence, including with their personal care. For instance, pre-school children learn to use the toilet independently and to serve their own meals and drinks. This will hold them in good stead when they start school.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy a good range of interesting and enriching experiences, which sparks their curiosity and develops their love of learning. For example, older children are excited to observe and handle the ducklings that have recently hatched at the nursery. They learn to hold them gently and discuss what they have noticed, such as the ducklings' webbed feet and the noises they make. Children are keen to share what they already know about ducks. They speak confidently about seeing ducks swimming on visits to the park.

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need to do better?

n Managers and staff provide a well-planned curriculum, which supports all areas of children's learning. They have a clear idea of what they want children to achieve at each stage of their development. For instance, they recognise that toddlers may need more help with sharing and taking turns. Therefore, they provide games that encourage these skills. This helps children to progressively build on what they know and can do. n Staff monitor the children's progress closely and get to know them well. They ensure that any gaps in children's learning are swiftly identified and appropriate interventions are put in place. This ensures that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are not left behind in their learning. n Children enjoy a wide variety of experiences, which allows them to learn from adults and to explore their own ideas. In general, these are planned and delivered well by staff. However, occasionally, during group activities, staff do

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need to do better?

not take account of the differing needs and abilities of children. Therefore, some children lose concentration or are not able to participate as much as their peers. n Children from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds are welcomed at the setting. Staff ensure that resources, activities and events help children to understand and celebrate their similarities and differences. This builds children's

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need to do better?

16 June 2023 self-esteem and their respect for others. n Children have lots of fun at the setting and clearly enjoy their learning. For instance, younger children are excited to explore the texture of shredded paper and giggle with delight as staff sprinkle it over them. They pretend it is snow and speak enthusiastically about their experiences of real snow. Staff recognise this as an opportunity to introduce new words to children, to further develop their vocabularies. n Managers reflect on the provision and successfully identify areas where they can further develop their provision. For example, they know that listening to stories plays a key part in developing good language skills. Therefore, they have introduced 'core books', which are linked to children's current interest and topics, to help enhance children's love of stories. n Staff say that they love working in the setting and feel well supported by leaders

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need to do better?

and colleagues. They say that they have access to a wide range of training, which helps them to develop their professional skills and knowledge. Staff speak enthusiastically about how they are working towards a professional qualification or a leadership role. n Parents describe the staff as welcoming, warm and caring. They say that they can confidently leave their children at the setting without any worries about their safety or happiness. Parents comment on the regular and detailed information they get about their children's time at the setting through their discussions with staff or via an online app. They say that their children have gained confidence and developed their social and language skills due to their attendance at the setting.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a secure understanding of their safeguarding roles. They complete regular training and are clear about the signs of child abuse. Managers and staff understand the actions they must take to address any concerns about children's welfare or safety. They know how to report any allegations about adults working with children. Staff supervise children effectively and check the environment and resources to ensure they are safe. There are robust recruitment, induction and supervision processes to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n help staff to ensure that they take more account of children's differing abilities when planning and delivering group activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY488395 Local authority Havering Inspection number 10289596 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 35 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Lifeline Enterprises Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01708450781 Date of previous inspection 29 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Learners Nursery and Preschool registered in 2015. It is in Elm Park, in the London Borough of Havering. The setting is open each weekday, from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round, except for Christmas and bank holidays. The provider employs 10 members of staff. Six staff hold early years qualifications at level 6, level 3 or level 2. The setting offers funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 managers showed the inspector around the premises and explained how they plan and implement the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education and considered the impact on children's learning. This included a joint observation with the manager. n The managers met with the inspector to discuss leadership issues, such as staff recruitment and supervision. They ensured that relevant documents were available for the inspector to view. n Parents, staff and children shared their views and experiences with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection.

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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

16 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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