Little Explorers

Inspection of Little Explorers 263 West Drive, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancs FY5 2RX

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive at the superb nursery and are truly able to explore the wonder of childhood. Skilled staff allow children the time and space to become engrossed in different environments. Children are inspired with awe at the world around them. For instance, they show delight during rainy days, jumping in puddles and using their imaginations as they make unique creations, such as muddy coffee and flower kebabs. Children learn in a holistic manner, connecting information from each different experience. They revel in the wealth of opportunities planned by the inspirational team of leaders and staff. Expectations are high throughout the nursery and are clearly embedded and understood by all staff and children. Staff model the respectful manner that is reflected in children's exemplary behaviour.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff are always close by to offer encouragement as children concentrate and persevere with tasks. Staff understand the value to children of achieving a goal independently. They watch and wait, ready to offer support, as babies try hard to pull themselves up to standing and as young children climb a tree. Children beam with pride and delight as staff celebrate their efforts and new skills with them. As children rapidly develop independence skills, their excitement to learn shines. Babies' early development is superbly considered. They flourish in the care of their calm and nurturing key staff.

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need to do better?

n Leaders' passion for education is evident. They value staff's learning as highly as that of the children they teach. Leaders encourage staff's career progression as part of the reflective ethos of the nursery. Leaders also support early years practitioners from other settings to improve their skills. This helps to maintain the highest quality of care and education and to raise standards across the sector. n Leaders work with a wide range of outside agencies and collaborate with local schools to support the learning of all children. For example, children take part in multilingual singing sessions and visit a local secondary school for drama workshops. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, demonstrate high self-esteem and make exceptional progress in their learning. n Staff are adept at creating opportunities to help children consider how to solve problems and encourage their thinking skills. For instance, staff invite children to

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need to do better?

ponder how to dry the slide that they have just washed. Children decide that the sun will dry the slide. Staff wonder aloud why that is and how long that might take, sparking children's curiosity and promoting interesting discussions. n Leaders and staff purposefully create a language-rich environment. Staff extend children's vocabulary with specific key words each day. Children are keen to try

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need to do better?

6 March 2024 out their new vocabulary and learn quickly, using words in context. For example, young children note that the structures they have built are 'stable'. Children communicate with confidence, creating solid foundations for their future learning. n Staff understand the positive impact of outdoor learning. Children attend regular forest school sessions and take part in beach activities where staff skilfully adapt planning to reflect children's inspirations each day. For instance, children use mud and sticks to create maps, and flowers and stones to create transient art. Staff teach children to assess and manage risk as they use wood, hammers and nails to create 'monsters'. Children's emotional resilience and overall well-being are promoted superbly. n Leaders are committed to extending staff's breadth of experience and promoting children's learning in innovative ways. Leaders and staff have volunteered in an

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need to do better?

early years setting in India. Staff organise regular video calls for children to converse with their peers there. Children send pictures to their new friends and trace on a world map how far their work has travelled. They learn about how children live and learn in other parts of the world. n Leaders view parents as an integral part of children's learning. Parents contribute to regular focus weeks as part of staff's detailed monitoring of children's progress. Staff scribe children's comments and explanations of their marks so that their voice is clearly noted in their focus journals. Staff and parents collaborate to help children achieve the best possible outcomes. n Children's suggestions are actioned through the children's council, and staff's planning reflects their interests. For instance, when children request gardening, staff take them to a garden centre to choose plants. Staff teach children how to

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need to do better?

care for bulbs and help them to pronounce tricky names, such as 'hyacinth' and 'cyclamen'. Children feel valued and empowered to effect change in their world.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498674 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10317123 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 50 Number of children on roll 96 Name of registered person Adventures in Learning Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01253858748 Date of previous inspection 4 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Little Explorers registered in 2016 and is located in Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire. The nursery employs 23 members of childcare staff. Of these, 19 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including four who hold qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 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 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 owner, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to children, staff and parents during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the leadership team about the leadership and management of the setting. 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 and the owner carried out joint observations of group activities with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

6 March 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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