Little Explorers Nursery - Crawley

Inspection of Little Explorers Nursery - Crawley 102 Worth Road, Crawley RH10 7DU

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children develop strong, meaningful bonds with key staff. Staff work in partnership with parents to help each child reach their next stage of development. Staff plan exciting and creative learning activities that are based on children's individual interests. Using their knowledge of children's current stage of development, staff are supported to extend children's knowledge, understanding and skills. All children make good progress. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or who speak English as an additional language (EAL) are particularly well supported. Staff with designated responsibilities ensure personalised plans are effectively shared across the staff team. Leaders and managers work hard to keep parents updated, informed and involved in their child's education and care.

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The provision is good

Leaders and managers have made significant changes since the last inspection which have raised the quality of the provision. Managers are effectively developing the staff team's understanding of the key-person role. This contributes to children settling quickly and feeling safe, secure and happy at nursery. All children behave well. They understand what is expected of them and staff consistently remind children of the rules and boundaries. This supports children to be confident and curious learners. Children enjoy purposeful activities and well-planned educational experiences. As such, they remain engaged in their learning for significant periods of time.

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need to do better?

n The management of the nursery is strong. Leaders and managers have a clear, sequenced early years curriculum and continue to support the staff team to understand how to implement this effectively. Managers provide regular team meetings and one-to-one supervisions to support staff to develop their knowledge and skills. They manage staffing arrangements effectively. For example, staff provide detailed information about children to colleagues when it is necessary to change key-person arrangements. Where possible, familiar staff move rooms with children transitioning to older age groups. n Staff are clear on how to support their key children's learning and development. All staff know all children well. They gather in-depth knowledge of their key children's individual needs particularly well. There are effective systems in place to ensure that children's medical and dietary needs are understood and catered

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need to do better?

for. This helps keep children safe and promotes their well-being. n Staff have a good understanding of what children enjoy and understand their current interests. For example, those working with the younger children ensure that their favourite train tracks are set out. They understand how to extend this activity by adding structures and changing the track design. This successfully builds on what children know and can do. This helps children remain highly

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need to do better?

17 August 2023 engaged in their play and learning. However, at times, children are not given the time to respond to questions posed by staff. Therefore, they are not able to reflect and understand what is being asked of them. n Staff support children to make good progress. The early years curriculum is tailored to reflect children's interests. There is a strong focus on supporting children's communication and language development. Staff help children of all ages to develop a love of books. Children listen to, and share, stories with great enthusiasm. Babies and young children frequently choose books to look at, alone or with an adult. This extends their vocabulary, listening and attention skills. n Children with EAL benefit from seeing and hearing key words in their home language. In addition, children access books and resources which reflect and celebrate their culture and heritage. For example, children play with authentic

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need to do better?

cooking utensils and dishes from countries like China and India within the role- play corner. This helps build a positive sense of self as well as promoting tolerance and respect for others. Children are kind to one another and demonstrate good manners. They say 'please', 'thank you' and 'excuse me' to their friends during their play. n Children have ample opportunities to be physically active and enjoy spending time outdoors. They talk about their likes and dislikes during mealtimes, and staff explain to children the importance of eating healthily. Older children have good opportunities to practise their independence and self-help skills. However, some staff undertake tasks for children that they may be capable of doing for themselves, such as pouring their drinks and taking off their shoes. n Parents' feedback about the staff and the progress their children make is positive. Managers engage with parents using a wide variety of means and

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need to do better?

actively encourage them to contribute to the ongoing development of the setting. There are effective systems in place for the completion of school transitions and the progress check for children aged two years. n Those staff with designated responsibilities, such as safeguarding and SEND, work with outside agencies where appropriate to identify and meet the needs of children requiring additional support. This ensures that staff take prompt action to seek support for children, including those who may be vulnerable, at the earliest opportunity.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibility to safeguard children. They are aware of how to identify possible signs of abuse or neglect. They know how to record and report any concerns about a child's welfare or the behaviour of a colleague. Managers complete regular checks on staff to make sure they are suitable to work with children, both prior to their employment and on an ongoing basis. New staff are closely supervised until they have been fully vetted. Leaders review accident and incident records regularly. This helps to identify any potential hazards in the environment or aids swift referral for development concerns for children requiring additional support. Staff teach children simple rules

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Safeguarding

17 August 2023 to help them learn to keep themselves safe. For instance, children are reminded that they must sit down while they eat.

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should:

n strengthen staff's skills in recognising when to give children more time to think and respond during conversations n support staff to make better use of opportunities that arise for children to do things for themselves and develop their independence skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2679613 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10290986 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 42 Number of children on roll 68 Name of registered person MKM Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01293 384144 Date of previous inspection 12 April 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Little Explorers Nursery - Crawley registered in 2022. The nursery is located in Crawley, West Sussex. It operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm, throughout the year. The nursery employs 18 members of staff, of whom one holds qualified teacher status and 10 hold qualifications at levels 3 to 5. The setting receives funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and received

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Inspection activities

written feedback from others. 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

17 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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