Little Hands Daycare Stourbridge

Inspection of Little Hands Daycare Stourbridge 16-18 Hagley Road, Stourbridge DY8 1PS

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Leaders are passionate about giving children the highest quality early years experiences. They create a home-from-home atmosphere where children join the 'Little Hands family'. This ethos is shared by a committed staff team. All staff speak to children with great warmth and kindness. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), thrive in their care. A highly effective settling-in process supports families to build strong relationships with staff. This starts from the very beginning of their nursery journey when the whole family visit and explore the nursery and meet the staff. Consequently, staff know children exceptionally well and children feel happy and content. All staff complete training in emotional coaching. This allows them to sensitively help children to understand their feelings from an early age. Staff are intuitive to young babies' needs. They act swiftly when babies become hungry and talk sensitively to them,

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The provision is outstanding

helping them to understand their feelings. Older children learn to resolve conflicts between each other, share resources and wait their turn. Therefore, all children learn to regulate their own behaviour and build emotional resilience.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff are wonderful role models. They are kind and supportive to each other. Children learn from their positive example, and they show respect and kindness towards their friends. For example, a small group of children enjoy making fruit smoothies. They chop, peel and mix exotic fruits. At the end of the activity, the children suggest that all the drink is shared out equally for everyone to try. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They use manners without prompts, stop and listen immediately to staff and closely follow instructions.

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need to do better?

n Leadership in this nursery is inspirational. Staff carefully consider the different experiences children bring with them. They design a rich and ambitious curriculum that enhances children's development. For example, they provide cooking classes, yoga, and mindfulness sessions. The quality of teaching is excellent and staff have a clear understanding of how children learn. As a result, they plan well-sequenced activities that successfully build on what children already know. n Children show determination learning new skills. When they get frustrated, staff encourage them to keep trying. For example, young babies carefully practise inserting a bubble wand into a tube, and even though it is tricky, they keep trying. They display a superb attitude to hard work. This prepares them well for their next stage in their educational journey. n Staff are highly effective at differentiating the activities they plan so they are

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need to do better?

individualised to the children's needs. For example, during a fruit chopping activity, staff support children to count to five in Spanish to extend their

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need to do better?

5 September 2023 knowledge of numbers and language. As well as this, they support children with SEND to feel and explore the different textures of the fruit. Children therefore make rapid progress in their learning from their various starting points. n Leaders ensure all staff receive highly effective professional development opportunities. There is a strong focus on staff well-being, and morale is very high. Staff supervision is highly tailored and each month has a different focus. For example, this month is 'buddy-up month'. This is where staff work together to achieve their targets and offer support. This effective system means staff's understanding is up to date, which provides a safe environment for children. n Support for children with SEND is excellent. The well-qualified special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) provides tailored support for children. She uses techniques she has learned on training, like mirroring sounds so that

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need to do better?

children know the noises they make are of value and heard. She works closely with other professionals to share valuable information. As a result, children with SEND get the early and ongoing support they need. n Staff use current research to formulate their practice. They adapt their curriculum to challenge children to the highest level. For example, they promote independence from the earliest age. Young babies help to serve their own food at lunchtime. They practise life skills like opening the lids to their yogurts and taking their shoes off. Children care for giant snails. They learn about habitats and nutrition as well as compassion for other creatures. n Children are provided with a wealth of rich experiences, and they have made strong links with the local community. They regularly visit the local care home. This gives children opportunities to practise vital skills like road safety and confidence speaking in new environments. The nursery is environmentally

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need to do better?

conscious. It teaches children about the importance of their impact on the world and how to recycle effectively. This gives children a secure understanding of the wider world around them. n Parents speak extremely highly of the nursery. They clearly attribute their children's progress to their time in the nursery. They say staff truly care about the children and their attention to detail shines through in all members of the team. They are constantly blown away by the variety of activities offered. Supporting parents with home learning is given the utmost priority. Staff provide a variety of resources for families to use at home, such as activity bags. This helps to consolidate children's learning between home and nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety is given the greatest priority. All staff have an in-depth knowledge of the types of abuse that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. Staff are extremely confident in the process for reporting their concerns about children should they need to make referrals themselves. Children are taught how to keep themselves safe in the sun, and staff monitor the ultraviolet levels before they go outside. This helps to provide a safe environment for children to learn and play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2724779 Local authority Dudley Inspection number 10307579 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 94 Number of children on roll 179 Name of registered person Little Hands Daycare Group Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01384 396920 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Hands Daycare Stourbridge registered in 2023. The nursery employs 29 members of childcare staff. Of these, 27 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery operates all year round, except for Christmas and bank holidays. 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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager, director and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND.

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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

5 September 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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