Little Blossoms Childcare

Inspection of Little Blossoms Childcare 1 Alnwick Avenue, North Shields, Northumberland NE29 7AX

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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 Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children's experiences at this warm and welcoming nursery provide them with an excellent start to their early education. They benefit from nurturing care, in a calm and purposeful environment. Highly skilled staff pay close attention to ensuring children's emotional needs are met effectively. There is a strong-key person system in place, but it is also evident that all staff know all of the children extremely well. There are always cuddles available from staff if children feel unsettled. All children are valued. Staff implement effective systems to help even the youngest children to express their preferences, for example about what they want to drink or where they want to play. Older children play together exceptionally well. They often become engrossed in their play and talk to their friends about their ideas, even when staff are not involved in the activity. Staff help children to resolve any minor

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The provision is outstanding

conflicts themselves. This helps to create an atmosphere where children show respect and empathy for each other.

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The provision is outstanding

The progress children make from their starting points is exceptional. Staff spend time observing children as they play. They find out about their family lives and their interests. This supports staff to make sure that the opportunities for children to learn and develop are relevant and engaging. Staff show considerable skill at knowing when to join children in their play, and when to allow them time to explore independently. This means children remain motivated. They also develop their concentration and perseverance. Children are extremely well-prepared for their next stage in learning.

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need to do better?

n The inspirational manager, with valued support from her deputy, leads the staff team with very clear direction. Staff welcome the support and encouragement they receive in order to improve their own practice. They also comment on how their well-being is promoted. Considerable emphasis is placed on ensuring staff recognise how young children learn. This helps to ensure the experiences provided are appropriate for individual children's age and stage of development. The manager is an excellent role model. She seamlessly coaches staff so they fully understand how to deliver the highest standards of care and learning. n There is a strong curriculum vision within the nursery. Staff have worked together, taking inspiration from a variety of different sources, to decide what they want children to learn. This is then translated into opportunities to promote children's curiosity. Every area within the nursery and all resources, both inside

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need to do better?

and outdoors, have a clear purpose. Staff speak confidently about the intent of the activities and experiences they plan. This is both what they hope children will learn in general, and also specific learning goals for individual children. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive superb

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need to do better?

23 April 2024 support. Staff are alert to identifying children who may not be making as much progress as they should. Where appropriate, referrals are made to other agencies. The manager ensures that staff have dedicated time to spend with other professionals when they visit the nursery. This helps to ensure staff benefit from the expertise of specialists, such as physiotherapists, and information can then be shared with parents after the visits. Additional funding for children with SEND is used effectively to support their development. n There is a strong focus on supporting children to become confident communicators. Babies are exposed to a rich variety of vocabulary as they play. Staff sit with children at mealtimes and support them to join in with conversations. Children are given time to formulate responses to questions and to express their opinions. Staff know how to sequence children's learning, so

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need to do better?

they become increasingly fluent when speaking. n Children's needs are at the centre of decisions about the operation of the nursery. Extra support is provided for children who need it when settling in or moving to a new room. This helps to ensure they feel safe and secure. Mealtime and sleep arrangements are carefully considered and reviewed regularly. Staff are mindful not to interrupt children's learning unnecessarily. At the same time, they recognise that children do need to be introduced to some routines. Children clearly enjoy being given responsibilities such as setting the table. They beam with pride when they are praised for remembering to put things away when they have finished playing with them. n Children benefit from healthy snacks and meals. Arrangements for children with specific dietary requirements are appropriate. Children's good health is further promoted through spending plenty of time outdoors. Younger children

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need to do better?

enthusiastically learn to kick and throw balls. Toddlers help to invent their own obstacle courses. Older children have opportunities to learn about keeping themselves safe when climbing on tyre swings. This supports their physical development and their understanding of risk. n Partnerships with parents are a considerable strength of the nursery. Parents greatly appreciate the regular updates they receive about their children's learning and development. They say that the manager is highly approachable and invests a great deal of time in offering them advice and support if it is required. n The nursery has established strong links with the local community. This includes visits from residents of an elderly care home. Children also learn about the wider world through a link with a nursery in India. These opportunities help children to gain an understanding of differences and similarities between themselves and

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need to do better?

others. It also enriches their learning experiences.

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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 2496374 Local authority North Tyneside Inspection number 10337911 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 85 Number of children on roll 75 Name of registered person Rascals Playtime Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0191 2577376 Date of previous inspection 24 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Blossoms Childcare registered in 2018 and is based in North Shields, Tyne and Wear. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Ten members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including two at level 5. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6.30pm. 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 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 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 inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the nursery. n The inspector spoke to several parents and carers during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on

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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

23 April 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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