Little Adventurers: Astley Village

Inspection of Little Adventurers: Astley Village Astley Village Community Centre, Hallgate, Chorley PR7 1XA

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive at the setting with a big smile on their faces. They are eager to play with friends and talk to their key people. Staff are positive role models for the children. They talk sensitively to them if they become upset. They help identify quick solutions that will make the children feel better. As a result, children are happy and engaged in their learning.

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The provision is good

The curriculum on offer supports children to be independent. Staff celebrate children's efforts to have a go. Babies crawl and pull themselves up, inside and outside, with ease. Older children learn how to put on their own coats and shoes. They enjoy taking the lead in their own play. For example, they decide that they need twigs and leaves to make cottage pie and peas in the mud. Children are developing confidence in their own learning abilities.

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The provision is good

Safety is a high priority. A key code system ensures that the community building is safe and secure. As children walk to and from the forest, staff teach them about identifying risks. Children know that when it rains it can be 'slippy' on the path. They learn about road safety as they cross the road to go into the forest area each day. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe.

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need to do better?

n Children demonstrate a 'can-do' attitude at this setting. Staff build on what children know and can do already. Children learn to be independent in their own learning. Consequently, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress in their learning. n Staff engage in meaningful conversations with children. They ask the children when walking to the forest what they would like the walking rope to be. Children decide it is a bus. This leads on to them recalling and talking about their experiences of being on a bus. Children are confident to express their ideas and opinions. n Children have plenty of opportunities to develop physically. In the forest, they pull themselves up onto the hammocks, balance on logs and climb trees. They enjoy kicking and balancing a ball in the outdoor garden area. They are learning to use their bodies in a variety of ways.

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need to do better?

n Routines are generally flexible to meet the needs of the children. For example, staff extend creative activities when children want to explore them for longer. However, in the forest when children become too wet, the routine is not adjusted accordingly. As a result, some children become disengaged and start to become cold. n Children develop good literacy skills. They retell the story of 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' in detail. They re-enact the story in play as they build bridges for

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need to do better?

22 February 2024 small animals. Older children practise using their small muscles in their hands and fingers. They manipulate dough and use scissors confidently. These activities support children to become confident readers and writers. n Staff teach children simple mathematical concepts as they play. For example, they count to five as they giggle and jump off a log. They talk about the 'big' and 'little' worms they see on the path. They make patterns in the clay using a variety of tools and resources. They are learning transferable mathematical skills for later life. n Children have access to a good range of healthy food and snacks. Overall, hygiene procedures are good. However, in the forest this is not always as well managed. As a result, children pick up food that has fallen on the floor, and babies' bottles cannot always be kept clean. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff offer support for children at home.

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need to do better?

For example, advice around toilet training has been most beneficial. Parents are also invited to attend forest sessions with their children. This helps to give them the opportunity to be involved in their children's learning. n Leaders use 'Wisdom Wednesdays' to share good-practice tips with the staff team. Staff tell the inspector that they feel valued and supported in their roles. They say that they enjoy working in the setting. The setting is a happy environment for the children, and this helps them to thrive.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n review snack procedures when outdoors to ensure that children's hygiene needs are fully met n review outdoor routines so that they are flexible to meet the needs of all children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2653659 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10308727 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 40 Number of children on roll 19 Name of registered person Little Explorers Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07736287244 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Adventurers: Astley Village registered in 2021. The setting employs five members of staff. Three members of staff hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The setting opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm.

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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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children spoke to/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 observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to several parents/grandparents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

22 February 2024 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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