Little Dragon's Nursery

Inspection of Little Dragon's Nursery 4 New Street, Stourport-On-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 8UN

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision requires improvement

The quality of teaching and learning that children receive in this nursery is inconsistent. Staff working with the older children plan a range of experiences that meet their individual next steps for learning and support their progress. However, although staff working with the younger children plan activities for them, they do not consistently extend children's learning as they play. Staff working with the younger children recognise children's next steps for learning. However, they do not consistently ensure that children are given the support they need to achieve these and move forward. In addition, some hygiene practices are not as good as they should be.

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The provision requires improvement

That said, the key-person system works in practice. All staff know the children well and they forge positive relationships with them. Staff are kind and caring in their interactions with children. They recognise children's individual care needs and soothe them when they are tired or unsure. As a result, children are happy and settled. They are confident to talk to visitors and are eager to involve them in their play. Children generally behave well. Older children learn the nursery rules and know they should use their hands in a kind way and walk when they are indoors.

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need to do better?

n The provider, who is also the manager, has worked with the local authority to make some changes since the last inspection. However, due to recent changes to staffing within the nursery, these have not been implemented fully into practice. As a result, improvements have not been swift enough to raise the quality to a good level. n Staff have attended some training to improve their knowledge and skills. However, the manager does not provide regular supervision meetings to enable staff to discuss any further professional development opportunities they may benefit from. In addition, the manager does not monitor staff well enough to ensure that the practice across the nursery continues to improve. As a result, practice is inconsistent and not all children receive the best quality learning experiences. n Children generally enjoy the activities provided. Older children scoop the flesh and seeds out of a pumpkin. Staff encourage children's thinking skills as they

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need to do better?

ask what the seeds feel like. Children respond that they feel 'slimy' and 'soft'. Younger children pour rice into different containers. However, staff do not recognise when children want to move away from the activity and make their own choices. As a result, children lose interest, and valuable learning opportunities are lost. n Older children develop their imagination as they play in the role-play area that staff have transformed into a witch's kitchen. Children pretend to make dinner

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need to do better?

16 October 2023 with pumpkins and take them to staff and visitors to eat. Staff encourage communication. They ask questions and give children time to answer. n Staff observe children and assess their progress to help them to identify any gaps in children's learning. They work with parents and outside agencies to ensure that children receive any early interventions they need in a timely way. The support for children who speak English as an additional language is good. Staff use single words and objects of reference to encourage children's early communication. n Some hygiene practices are poor. Staff in the baby room leave a dummy on a side shelf, instead of storing it hygienically. The dummy is then given out at sleep time without being washed. Tables are not wiped between lunch and pudding. As a result, some children eat cold savoury food off the table at the same time as they are eating their pudding. This does not teach children about

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need to do better?

good hygiene. n Younger children are not given the correct utensils they need to eat their lunch. Staff do not recognise that younger children cannot scoop long pieces of pasta onto a small spoon. They tell them not to use their fingers, even though this is the only way that children can get the food into their mouths. In addition, using utensils correctly is the next step for learning for some children. Consequently, they do not receive the support they need to achieve this. n Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend outside. They talk about the chickens and ducks that they help to care for. They climb and balance with dexterity. This helps them to develop large-muscle skills. Children help to tidy away after their play. Staff praise children for their efforts. This promotes children's self-esteem. n The manager and staff work in partnership with parents. They share information with them about their child's learning and provide ideas for parents to continue

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need to do better?

with their child's learning at home. Parents are happy with the care their children receive. They say that the manager and staff are very supportive of children and their families.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is a strength of the nursery. The manager is attentive to safeguarding concerns and works closely with outside agencies and professionals to ensure that children receive the support they need. Staff are aware of the signs that may indicate that a child is being abused. They know how to seek advice and where to report concerns, including if they have concerns about a member of staff. Recruitment and induction procedures ensure that staff working with the children are deemed suitable. The premises are safe and secure.

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Due date

put suitable arrangements in place for the supervision and monitoring of staff practice, to provide coaching and support for staff that raises quality and promotes the interests of the children 30/11/2023

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Due date

ensure that all staff have the skills and knowledge they need to enable them to improve the quality of teaching and provide positive experiences for children that meet their individual next steps for learning 30/11/2023

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Due date

implement stringent hygiene procedures, especially during lunchtimes and with regard to the storage of dummies, to ensure that children's good health is promoted at all times. 03/11/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2569786 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10269821 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 39 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person Little Dragon's Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01299213133 Date of previous inspection 25 November 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Little Dragons Nursery registered in 2020 and is situated in Stourport-on-Severn. The provider employs nine members of childcare staff, including a regular bank member of staff. Of these, six staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including the provider who holds qualified teacher status. The nursery operates all year round. Sessions are available from Monday to Friday, 7am until 7pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager, who is also the registered provider, and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out joint observations of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. 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.

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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

16 October 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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