Curious Little Thinkers Day Nursery Limited

Inspection of Curious Little Thinkers Day Nursery Limited The Station Hotel, High Street, Boosbeck TS12 3AF

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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 Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

Staff's teaching is variable and inconsistent, including for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For example, although staff know children's learning needs, they do not focus their teaching to support them to make good progress or close gaps in their learning. However, the manager has a clear vision for how she would like children to learn through play and exploration. Children are keen and enthusiastic to attend the nursery. They explore the resources and activities independently and show they feel safe here. Staff regularly praise children for their efforts and teach them how to share, take turns and be kind. This has a positive impact on their emotional well-being.

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The provision requires improvement

The manager and staff team have considered the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's learning. They recognise that some children need support to build routines and encourage them to try new foods. Staff encourage children to take an active part in their self-care and develop independence. However, they have not acted swiftly when some children display a potential delay in their learning. In addition, staff have not had opportunities to receive effective supervision to improve their skills and knowledge to work with children.

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need to do better?

n Staff do not have a thorough understanding of how to help children build secure foundations for future learning. For example, they focus on writing skills with young children but have not supported their fine motor skills prior to this. Staff model how to spread butter on the bread to make sandwiches and encourage children to have a go. However, children are not shown how to hold their knife in order to do this effectively. n Staff know children very well and meet their care and specific medical needs effectively. They have close relationships with them and their families. Despite the weakness in teaching, children show they feel happy, safe and settled in the nursery. They seek reassurance from staff and benefit from their kind, caring approach. Parents say they are happy with the care their children receive and say they feel supported by the team. n Despite staff's awareness that some children show a delay in their

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need to do better?

communication and language skills, they have not implemented any strategies to help children begin to close gaps in this area of their learning. For example, they do not consistently model clear new words to children or ask open questions to encourage them to extend their vocabulary. In addition, staff have not made referrals to other professionals to help some children receive any further support they might need. n In contrast, some children communicate confidently and show enjoyment in stories and songs. They sit with staff as they read about a snail and enjoy

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need to do better?

7 March 2024 exploring in the tank to see if they can find the nursery snail. Staff teach them about the different things snails eat and how they need to live in a certain environment to grow. n Staff promote children's good health. They regularly go out for walks, and children enjoy exploring the local community's parks and woodland area. They develop good physical skills and benefit from the fresh air and exercise. Staff encourage children to think about making healthy food choices, and children know to wash their hands before they eat. n The manager has not fully considered the skills staff need to support all children's learning and development. For example, although the manager has accessed professional development opportunities to support children's speech and children with SEND, the staff team has limited understanding in these areas. In addition, staff have not had effective supervision to help them reflect on their

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need to do better?

teaching or consider improvements. n The manager has established links with the local authority and seeks support to make the necessary improvements. There are good partnerships with other settings children attend, such as schools. Staff gather information about children's learning and plan to continue this in the setting.

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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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Due date

improve staff's teaching to ensure they provide appropriately challenging experiences for children which build secure foundations for future learning 08/05/2024

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Due date

ensure concerns about children's development are acted upon swiftly, and strategies are used to help close gaps in their learning, particularly in their communication and language development 08/04/2024

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Due date

7 March 2024 provide staff with appropriate training and supervision to enable them to effectively support children's learning and development needs, including children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. 08/05/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2688878 Local authority Redcar and Cleveland Inspection number 10326822 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 28 Name of registered person Curious Little Thinkers Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07498982899 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Curious Little Thinkers Day Nursery Limited registered in 2022. The nursery employs four members of childcare staff, including the manager. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2. The manager, who is also one of the directors, has a degree in early childhood studies. A further member of staff also has a relevant early years degree. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am 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 her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation of an indoors planned activity was completed by the manager and inspector. n The inspector held a discussion with the manager in relation to the leadership and management of the nursery. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of recruitment, staff's qualifications and their suitability to work with children. She discussed children's learning and development with the staff team and nursery manager. n The inspector spoke to parents and obtained feedback for the inspection.

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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

7 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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