Little Darwins Nursery

Inspection of Little Darwins Nursery Rettendon School, Main Road, Rettendon Common, CHELMSFORD CM3 8DW

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely enthusiastic and happy on arrival to the setting. They clearly feel safe, having formed strong, secure attachments to their key person. Children place their belongings on named pegs and excitedly run to find their friends. They have a strong desire to learn, seeking out new experiences. Staff model language exceptionally well. Children listen and respond to instructions and initiate conversations with others.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children access outstanding learning opportunities in the well-designed indoor and outdoor environments. They are fully engaged in high-quality learning experiences planned through a well-sequenced curriculum. Children decide where to play and actively seek out activities of their own choosing. They use child-sized rakes to gather and move bark using their gross motor skills. They skilfully make sandcastles in the sand and use a water pump in the garden. They master a challenging obstacle course, using their hand-to-eye coordination and physical skills.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. The staff team promotes positive behaviour and teaches the children respect and tolerance. Older children have developed friendships with peers, and they enjoy playing together. Babies sit on mats, curiously turning pages in books. They are confident to explore and play independently, as they know that an adult is close by.

p.2

need to do better?

n Managers lead a highly qualified and motivated team in implementing an ambitious curriculum. Children are independent and confident learners who are fully immersed in their play. They take part in team running events on the playground, cheering on their friends and waiting patiently for their turn. They enjoy themes, such as marine life, where they explore toy sea creatures in water or gloop. Children name orb and diamond shapes they find buried in oats. n Routines support children to have structure to their day. They help to tidy away and know where items belong. Children talk to the cook over the kitchen gate and use their sense of smell to guess what lunch might be. Children wash their hands before mealtimes and manage personal hygiene extremely well. They learn about healthy food choices and enjoy tasting new foods. Children manage their behaviour extremely well. They can self-regulate their behaviour and talk

p.2

need to do better?

about emotions. n Teaching is outstanding. Children learn phonics and match them to words, eventually learning their own names. They make marks on paper and can write their names before going to school. Children have a love of books and enjoy listening to favourite rhymes and stories. They copy actions, using their fine and

p.2

need to do better?

27 July 2023 gross motor skills, and sing along having learned the words. n Transitions within the nursery and beyond are exceptionally well organised. Parents come into the setting to settle their children in. Sessions are flexible to meet the needs of children and families. Staff support children as they move through the setting, using a highly successful key-person approach. Local schools visit and meet children in the setting before they move to school. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make clear and consistent progress in their learning and development. Staff have very high expectations of the children. They work with external agencies and families to create individual learning plans for children. Children have access to high-quality learning experiences, which supports them to achieve the next steps in their learning. n Parents speak very highly about the setting. They have confidence in the staff

p.2

need to do better?

team and feel included as part of the setting. Additionally, they explain how managers and staff actively support them with home learning. Parents have daily discussions with staff and receive communication through an app. They are invited into the nursery for parents' evenings and to celebrate special events. Parents help with charity fundraising events at the setting. They appreciate how monies raised are spent on improving the facilities for the children. n Managers hold regular supervision meetings with staff. A high emphasis is placed on staff well-being and training. Managers invest in individual and team training opportunities. Staff are undertaking specific training to strengthen teaching approaches across the setting. This has a positive impact on children's overall development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff are expertly trained and knowledgeable about how to protect children from harm. They can identify the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. Furthermore, they know the steps to follow to report any concerns about a child's welfare. Managers ensure that staff safety checks are complete, and they have robust monitoring systems in place. Staff promote inclusion and equality and will challenge discrimination immediately. They understand safeguarding issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty, and their safeguarding knowledge is secure. Risk assessments and accident monitoring processes are in place to ensure the setting is secure and children are safe.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY416623 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10295237 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 85 Number of children on roll 142

p.4

Name of registered person

The Rettendon Community Acadamy Community Interest Company

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01268 769599 Date of previous inspection 19 December 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Darwins Nursery registered in 2011. The nursery employs 27 staff to work directly with the children, including the manager. Of these, 18 hold relevant qualifications between level 2 and level 6. Additionally, the nursery employs two administrative staff and two chefs. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, with the exception of one week at Christmas and public holidays. Sessions are from 7am until 7pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 inspector completed a learning walk with the manager and discussed the intent of the curriculum and the organisation of the setting. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector spent time in all rooms observing the quality of education and teaching. n The inspector talked to staff and children. n Parents spoke to the inspector about the setting. n The inspector viewed documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector held a meeting with the management team.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

27 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6