Little Explorers - Royal George Road

Inspection of Little Explorers - Royal George Road Burgess Hill Children & Family Centre, Royal George Road, Burgess Hill RH15 9SL

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Staff warmly greet children in a friendly environment. This helps children to settle well into their surroundings and to feel safe and secure. The staff have created a calm and soothing environment for the youngest children. They blow bubbles, and the children respond with awe and wonder and use their fingers to pop the bubbles when they land on the carpet. They show their delight by their facial expressions and staff enthusiastically share their joy.

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The provision is good

Staff and children make good use of the resources that are available to them. Children build on skills they have gained in the nursery and use their imaginations during their play. For example, children link up with each other and use construction materials to create lawn-mowers. They connect objects together to make a long stick and put a wheel on the bottom to enable it to roll along the floor. They become deeply engrossed in their role play and make-believe, pretending to cut the grass. Children are developing strong foundations to explore their creativity.

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The provision is good

The staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. They are consistent when reinforcing appropriate rules and boundaries. This gives children a clear understanding of what is expected of them. The staff recognise the children's achievements and praise them generously. Children are encouraged to understand their feelings and emotions and to be kind to each other. This supports children's personal, social and emotional development and creates a culture of respect.

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need to do better?

n Managers have implemented a well-thought-out curriculum that is designed to improve children's learning in specific areas of development. Staff understand what they want children to learn and successfully teach them and build on their skills. With positive interactions that are rich in quality, children are getting meaningful learning across all areas of development. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Managers and staff work together to ensure targeted support is provided for children at the earliest opportunity. They seek professional involvement and advice where needed. This contributes to all children making good progress in their learning and development. n All the staff are kind and caring and form positive relationships with the children. Each key person has a precise knowledge of the individual children in their group. This includes children's interests and experiences and the languages they

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need to do better?

hear at home. This enables the key person to use children's unique understanding and experiences to give context to their learning. However, not all staff working in the same room have the same insight into the languages and

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need to do better?

8 August 2023 heritages of all the children. Therefore, their interactions are not always as sharply targeted. n Children have developed good hygiene routines. Staff consistently reinforce why it is important to wash their hands before meals and after going to the toilet. They model the behaviour they expect from the children and wash their hands with them. Children have strong foundations for keeping themselves healthy and developing good self-care skills. n Overall, staff plan a range of activities that children enjoy and which support their learning. However, some activities are organised more effectively than others. For example, a small group of children engage in a painting activity. Other children want to join in the activity and stand with their aprons on and observe. Although children wait patiently, staff don't always recognise when activities can easily be adapted to accommodate all children wanting to join in.

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need to do better?

n Staff regularly risk assess the environment to make sure that it is safe and secure for children to play and explore. They talk to children about being safe and explain to them why this is important. They value the children's opinions and comments and involve them when identifying risks. Children feel respected and develop a positive sense of self. n Managers and leaders have created an environment that is reflective. They seek to continually improve provision and make enhancements where necessary. Managers and leaders have systems in place that closely monitor practice to ensure that children are receiving the best care. n Parent partnership is strong, and staff value parents as partners in their children's development. Parents express their appreciation for the sensitive care and the education their children receive. They explain that they feel they can go to the management team with any concerns, and they feel these would be

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need to do better?

handled sufficiently and appropriately. This creates a culture of mutual respect and trust.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a shared vision of the duty they have to protect children and keep them safe from harm. Staff demonstrate that they are watchful for any signs or indicators that could suggest a child is suffering from abuse. Managers regularly revisit safeguarding training to ensure that staff's knowledge is current and robust. Staff are committed and vigilant to ensure the safety of all children. They understand the referral process for allegations against a member of staff and they would not hesitate to share any concerns. Staff ensure that they deploy themselves effectively around the room so children can be seen and heard at all times.

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should:

8 August 2023 n strengthen information-sharing between staff so that the precise knowledge of each child, held by their key person, is communicated effectively to all those who care for the child n support all staff to consider if activities can be adapted to include all children wanting to take part.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2714406 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10304068 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person MKM Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01444675254 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Explorers - Royal George Road registered in November 2022. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 2 and 3. The nursery operates from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. 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 inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The acting manager carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The nominated individual spoke with the inspector about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector viewed documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

8 August 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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