Little Lambs Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Lambs Day Nursery 11 Main Street, Huthwaite, Sutton In Ashfield NG17 2QW

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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 Good

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The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy playing and exploring the toys and activities that staff provide for them inside and outdoors. Staff ensure that children understand their expectations for behaviour and how to follow the nursery routines. They remind children, including babies, that when play sessions are about to end, they help to tidy away the toys for lunchtime.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff's support for children's learning is variable throughout the nursery. Some members of staff are unclear on how to implement an effective curriculum for all children. Staff who work with babies are clear on what they need to do to support the intended learning for each baby they care for. For example, they encourage babies to build their confidence and try new activities as they develop their sensory skills while exploring pumpkin seeds. However, staff who work with two-year-old children do not consistently plan purposeful play and support for their learning. This results in some two-year-old children being less focused and not concentrating during play. Nevertheless, all children enjoy exploring pumpkins, water and conkers. They learn to use spoons safely to scoop up conkers and put them into containers. Staff help children to learn new words, such as 'scoop' and 'slippery'. Children proudly repeat these new words as they expand their range of vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n Babies thrive as their development is supported by attentive and caring staff. They build secure attachments with the staff who work with them. Babies develop confidence as they explore their environment, try new skills and enjoy learning. n Children's health is promoted well by staff. Older children learn to understand the importance of brushing their teeth regularly to keep their bodies healthy. Staff help the children learn how to use toothbrushes to clean their teeth and gums correctly. All children, including babies, spend plenty of time outside in the fresh air. Staff encourage them to practise their physical and imaginative skills well. n The management team ensures that staff receive regular support meetings and ongoing supervision to monitor their practice. However, despite this, not all staff are clear on how to deliver an ambitious curriculum to ensure that all children learn as much as they can, particularly staff who work with two-year-old

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need to do better?

children. Consequently, two-year-old children are not consistently provided with tailored activities and experiences to entice them to explore and acquire new skills during play. n Staff encourage older children to take calculated risks outside as they develop the confidence to try new skills. For example, children are supported to carefully attempt to walk down the wooden steps and a concrete slope to practise their

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need to do better?

17 October 2023 balance and coordination skills. n Overall, the children behave well and are happy at this nursery. Children learn to take turns, share toys, listen to staff's instructions and carry these out well. However, some two-year-old children are not as engaged in their learning as the babies and the older, most able children. Staff who work with two-year-old children do not always interact with or encourage them to be involved in activities or experiences to support their learning. Consequently, these children are sometimes disengaged in their play and do not learn as much as possible. However, staff engage well with babies and the older, more confident children to help them remain interested in activities. n Children enjoy counting as a way to support their mathematical development. Staff help children to count fir cones, leaves and conkers. They further help children as they encourage them to compare the shapes and sizes of different

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need to do better?

conkers. n Parents say they are happy with the service and that their children enjoy attending the nursery. Additionally, parents say they are familiar with the complaints policy and procedures. They know to follow them should they have a concern about staff's practice or their child's welfare. Parents also say that staff are approachable. They feel listened to and kept up to date regarding their child's experiences.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are secure in their knowledge and understanding of their role and responsibility to protect children from harm. They undertake regular child protection training, including updating their knowledge of the 'Prevent' duty. Staff understand the policies and procedures they must follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare or the practice of a colleague. Daily risk assessments of the environment are carried out by staff to ensure that the areas children access are safe and secure. Staff deploy themselves effectively to ensure that children are supervised sufficiently.

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Due date

ensure that all staff understand and consistently implement a clear and ambitious curriculum to support all children's ongoing learning and development 07/11/2023

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Due date

17 October 2023 plan and provide activities that focus on what two-year-old children need to learn next based on their stage of development, emerging needs and interests 07/11/2023

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Due date

ensure that staff's interactions help younger children, particularly two-year- old children, to consolidate their learning and remain focused during their play and learning. 07/11/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY500327 Local authority Nottinghamshire County Council Inspection number 10312504 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 42 Number of children on roll 76 Name of registered person Little Lambs Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01623 230357 Date of previous inspection 29 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Little Lambs Day Nursery registered in 2016 and is located in Huthwaite, Sutton-in- Ashfield. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. 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 nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The manager and the inspector jointly observed an activity and evaluated this together. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents on the day of the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the directors of the company, the manager, the staff and the children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The manager provided the inspector with relevant documentation, including evidence of staff's qualifications and suitability.

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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 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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