Little Harvards

Inspection of Little Harvards Brunswick Street, St Helens WA9 2JE

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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 enjoy many interesting learning opportunities at this calm, inclusive nursery. Babies smile as they explore the sound that metal objects make as they bang them together. Older children use their imagination as they mix mud and water together and offer staff a drink of 'tea'. Children scream with excitement as they play the game 'What time is it, Mr Wolf?'. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those in receipt of additional funding, make good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Staff provide a calm environment and have clear expectations for children's behaviour. Older children work together to carry heavy planks of wood to make ramps for their toy cars. When the cars get stuck, children solve the problem together. Children show great pride as they admire their finished ramp and proudly exclaim, 'We did it!' Children are cooperative in their play and show high levels of concentration and engagement.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they feel happy and safe. They have formed close bonds with the staff, who are attentive to their needs. Babies beam as they see their key person enter the room. They enjoy lots of cuddles and reassurance from the nurturing staff. Older children confidently approach visitors and talk about their friends. Children have developed caring relationships with staff and each other.

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need to do better?

n Leaders prioritise children's communication and language development. Staff play alongside children and introduce new words. Children have access to a range of stories. Babies cuddle up with staff as they enjoy these stories together. When older children talk about their pets at home, staff encourage them to look at non-fiction books about other animals. Children are making good progress in their early literacy skills and are becoming confident communicators. n Leaders implement a successful curriculum for physical development. Babies are given the space and encouragement to begin to crawl and walk. Staff use exciting resources and loving interactions to encourage children to begin to pull to standing. Older children are extremely adventurous in their physical play. They confidently slide down poles and use tree swings. Children develop excellent physical skills. n Staff skilfully weave mathematics into children's play. As children fill up

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need to do better?

containers in the water tray, staff encourage them to predict how many scoops of water will fill each one. As children play, staff introduce language such as 'long' and 'short'. Older children recognise and match numbers to 10 to the correct quantities. Children show a good knowledge of early mathematical concepts.

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need to do better?

25 July 2023 n Partnership working is a strength. Parents state that they feel fortunate to have found this 'amazing nursery'. They say that their children have made good progress with their communication skills and that they have made friends. Parents say they feel fully involved in their children's learning and value the photos and updates that they receive. Parents know what skills their children are working on. n The experienced special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) is passionate about supporting children with SEND. She has formed positive relationships with a range of agencies. She works hard to remove barriers to learning and ensures that no child is at a disadvantage. n Leaders have a good oversight of the strengths and next steps for the setting. They have a good awareness of the skills and knowledge that children arrive with and what they need to develop. Staff consider children's needs and

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need to do better?

interests when planning activities. However, at times, staff do not adapt and respond in the moment as learning opportunities arise. For example, when children show an interest in cutting up their own food, staff do not provide the cutlery to enable them to do this. This does not support children to make the highest levels of progress in their development. n The nursery staff promote healthy practices. Children eagerly fill up their water bottles as they arrive. All staff understand how to ensure children's allergies and dietary needs are met. Children demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of hygiene. For example, older children wash their hands without being reminded and seek out adults to refill the paper towels when they use the last one. Children are developing positive attitudes towards keeping healthy.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have revised the procedures to keep children safe at arrival and departure times. The manager's knowledge of safeguarding is excellent. She has supported all staff to understand the importance of recognising any cause for concern about a child and how to respond. Leaders are committed to multi-agency working. They use their knowledge of the support available in the community to ensure families receive any support they need.

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should:

n support staff to embrace learning opportunities as they occur to help children to make even better progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY483340 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10298724 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 54 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Precious Little Ones Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01744 22021 Date of previous inspection 26 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Harvards registered in 2015 and is situated in St Helens. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including two who hold qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and a week at Christmas. 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 nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and explored the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and the manager about the leadership and management of the nursery.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity outdoors. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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 July 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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