Little Walkers Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Walkers Day Nursery 92 Trysull Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV3 7JF

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

p.1

The provision requires improvement

The quality of education is not yet consistently good across the nursery. Leaders have a clear curriculum, which builds on what children can do and need to learn next. However, staff do not yet fully understand how this should be applied through their teaching, to ensure children receive high-quality learning experiences. Children sometimes wander around as the environment does not always gain their interest during periods of free play. Despite this, children enjoy sitting with staff during adult-led activities and show keenness to join in. They learn about shapes and are beginning to recognise some shapes in books they share, and in different resources across the environment. They point out 'blue circles' when outside, and show interest as staff show them that the crocodiles in a book have triangular teeth.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Staff are not always deployed effectively across the nursery to provide appropriate supervision to children. Staff do not notice when toddlers climb on top of storage units, increasing their risk of injury. That said, children are happy to attend the nursery and they build good relationships with staff. Babies seek out staff when they are feeling anxious or upset and settle quickly once they are comforted by familiar adults. Staff sit with babies and pull toys out of a singing sack. They sing nursery rhymes which relate to the toy. Babies enjoy listening to staff singing. They sway from side to side and smile with delight as they watch staff perform actions to the songs.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders have designed a curriculum which they are passionate about. They have a clear view of what they want children to learn and consider what skills children need to move on to their next stage of learning. For example, leaders acknowledge that children benefit from developing skills, such as putting their own shoes and coats on, before moving on to school. Staff access some training which builds on their knowledge and skills. However, this training is not transferred into practice. Staff do not yet fully understand how to implement the curriculum consistently through their teaching and planning. This means that children do not yet receive high-quality learning opportunities. n Staff are not always deployed effectively to ensure adequate supervision of children. For example, some children climb on top of storage units, and other children wander in and out of the toilets without being noticed by staff. This

p.2

need to do better?

compromises children's safety and well-being at times. n Staff assess and review children's stage of development. They observe what children can do and create next steps based on what children need to learn next. They then plan adult-led activities, which focus on developing children's knowledge and skills further.

p.2

need to do better?

27 July 2023 n The environment is designed to incorporate all areas of learning for children. However, these are not always inviting. When children are not engaged in adult- led activities, they are reluctant to explore and do not express an interest in the activities on offer. Therefore, children are not always motivated to access different learning opportunities during times of free play. n Children generally behave well. Leaders have implemented some strategies across the nursery which support children to recognise their own feelings and how these impact on others. Leaders sit with children in self-regulation areas and talk to them about how they feel. This helps children to begin to understand their emotions. n Parents comment positively about the nursery. They talk about their children being happy and say they receive communication about how their child's day has been. They appreciate how supportive staff are when they have informed

p.2

need to do better?

them of difficulties their children are experiencing. n Leaders have an oversight of the nursery and have identified areas of practice which need to be improved. They have identified ways in which they can action these and make improvements to the nursery. They regularly spend time in the room to observe staff and monitor their practice. However, they often take the lead when situations occur in the room with children. For example, when children struggle with their behaviour, leaders step in and manage the situation. This means that staff do not always have opportunities to develop their own practice.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff recognise signs which may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know the procedures to follow should a concern arise and understand the importance of recording information. Leaders and staff know what to do if an allegation is made against a member of staff and understand their role in sharing information with other agencies. Staff have completed first-aid training. They practise fire evacuation procedures with children. Staff carry out risk assessments of the environment and can identify some areas which may pose a risk to children.

p.3

Due date

deploy staff appropriately, so that the needs of children are met at all times, and to ensure their safety and well-being 01/09/2023

p.3

Due date

27 July 2023 implement an effective system to coach and mentor staff on how to develop their practice to meet the needs of children at all times. 01/09/2023

p.3

should:

n enhance staff's understanding of how to implement the curriculum to help children access high-quality learning opportunities n develop the learning environment to ensure it fully supports the curriculum and generates curiosity and motivates children to learn.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY498298 Local authority Wolverhampton Inspection number 10303991 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 65 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Firewalker (UK) LTD

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01902 343224 Date of previous inspection 22 August 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Little Walkers Day Nursery registered in 2016 and is situated in Wolverhampton. The nursery operates Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. There are 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold a recognised early years qualification at level 3, and two hold a recognised early years qualification at level 2. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 deputy manager 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the leadership team about the leadership and management of the nursery.

p.6

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.6

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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7