The Little Learners Childcare

Inspection of The Little Learners Childcare 1 Stanhope Terrace, Bideford, Devon EX39 3JZ

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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 happily arrive and are warmly welcomed by their friends. Babies and toddlers wave and smile brightly at each other across the nursery. Children of all ages quickly settle into their play. They are effectively supported by staff who know them well. Staff are kind and positive role models to children. They are very responsive to the needs of children at all times. Babies enjoy particularly nurturing and stimulating relationships with staff. The nursery is calm and well-organised.

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The provision is good

Leaders ensure children take part in a wide variety of activities as part of a rich and varied curriculum. Children experiment with using brushes and water to make marks. They talk to their friends about the best tools to use to collect mud and pour water. They spend large parts of their day using their imaginations and developing their creativity. Babies and toddlers join in with role play linked to everyday life. They cuddle toy babies and rock them gently. They put toy food in bowls and say, 'I'm going to stir it up'. Staff encourage children to become more independent over time. Babies learn how to drink from open cups. Older children are supported to cut up their own food. Children feel proud of their achievements.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are passionate about the service they provide. They have a clear ethos for the nursery and communicate this well to staff. They put the well-being of children at the heart of their curriculum and focus on making sure children feel safe and secure at all times. Staff morale is high and the nursery is a happy place for both children and staff to be. n There is an effective key-person system. Leaders ensure staff are well-trained and have a good knowledge of child development. Staff talk confidently about children's starting points, the progress they make over time and their next steps. Staff tailor activities to the needs and interests of children. They work closely with leaders to ensure that children with additional needs have the support they need. n Staff ensure there is a language-rich environment. They sing songs and nursery rhymes to children at regular points in the day. Children listen very well as staff

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need to do better?

introduce new vocabulary, such as coral. However, staff are sometimes over- enthusiastic in their interactions and do not give children enough time to respond to their questions. n Children learn how to keep themselves healthy. Staff introduce concepts in a way that is appropriate to their age and stage of development. For example, they talk to they youngest children about how eating fruit will keep their 'tummies happy' and give them energy to play. Staff provide plenty of opportunities for babies and toddlers to be physically active in their play. Older children learn yoga and develop their coordination. However, there are not

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need to do better?

21 March 2024 always enough opportunities for the oldest children to take part in more energetic physical activities. n Children are confident and resilient. They demonstrate great perseverance as they play. Toddler focus well as they try to successfully connect pieces of a wooden train track. Staff support children to take managed risks. For example, they teach them when they might be at risk of harm and how to keep themselves safe. For instance, they help children to decide if they are playing too close to a wall in the outdoor area. n Children behave very well and are keen to learn. They encourage each other to join in their play and work well to find solutions to problems. They happily take turns playing with equipment, such as sensibly negotiating who is going to sit on the front of the rocking toy first. n Staff develop good relationships with parents. They provide effective daily feedback for every child and meet with parents regularly to share next steps.

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need to do better?

Parents speak highly of the nursery and the care they provide for their children. They appreciate the steps staff take to support all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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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 develop adult interactions with children, especially babies and toddlers, to give them more to time to think and communicate their ideas n provide more opportunities for older children to move energetically to develop their physical skills even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2656084 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10332867 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 30 Number of children on roll 53 Name of registered person The Little Learners Childcare Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 07413909968 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Little Learners Childcare registered in 2021 and operates from Bideford in North Devon. The nursery opens from 7.30am to 6pm each weekday, all year round. The owners work as the manager and deputy manager and are both qualified to level 6. They employ nine members of staff. Of these, two hold a relevant level 4 qualification, five hold a level 3 qualification, one holds a level 2 qualification and one is unqualified. The nursery is in receipt of funding for early years childcare for children aged two-, three- and four-years-old.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and deputy 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 told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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

n The deputy manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during snack time. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector a sample of relevant documentation, including 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

21 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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