Little Meadows Nursery

Inspection of Little Meadows Nursery Little Meadows Nursery, Herriard, Basingstoke RG25 2PD

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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 are happy and settle swiftly on arrival. This is due to the warm and friendly greetings that staff and other children provide. Staff develop strong relationships with the children. They take time to get to know each family and what children like to do. They particularly go out of their way to find out what captures children's imaginations and attention. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Children develop positive attitudes towards their learning. They enjoy sharing these experiences with their friends. For example, children delight in the hairdresser's themed role play. They play cooperatively as they pretend to style one another's hair and chat among themselves. Staff are responsive to the children's interests, as this play develops into children using the brooms to pretend to be witches and making potions.

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The provision is good

Leaders want all children to have the very best experiences they can. Staff encourage the development of learning through innovative and fun activities. Children relish these experiences, which help them to become ready for future learning. For example, children explore many sensory experiences, as they are curious to find hidden treasure in a trunk filled with sand or feel the squishy texture of play dough and paint. They delight in moving paint brushes around and strengthen their small-finger muscles in preparation for holding writing equipment. Older children use their mark-making skills to create pictures to reflect meaning. They receive consistent praise for their efforts and achievements and are proud to take their artwork home.

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need to do better?

n The manager, who is also the owner, and her staff team work well to provide children with a good start to their learning. The curriculum centres around the children's interests and their individual needs. This builds on what they already know and can do. n There have been some recent changes to the staff team. Leaders continually evaluate the setting, are ambitious and have a clear vision for providing inclusive care and education. Overall, staff are supported through thorough induction, probation and supervision sessions. However, the ongoing coaching and mentoring of staff does not focus enough on strengthening the quality of teaching implementation to even higher levels. n Staff teach children to become increasingly social, independent and resilient. Staff make the most of routines, such as snack and lunchtimes, to encourage children's social skills and confidence. Children follow good hygiene routines,

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need to do better?

prepare their own snacks, pour their own drinks, and are given the time to develop their confidence in putting on their own outdoor clothing. n Children learn to behave well. They show consideration of others and good

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need to do better?

24 April 2024 levels of self-control, even if they encounter difficulties or challenges. Staff are kind, caring and children respond to them well. Staff praise children for making good choices, for instance, when children agree to share toys. They encourage children to learn how to keep themselves safe, and provide positive reminders, such as using their 'walking feet' inside. n Overall, children's language and communication is supported well. Staff support children's enjoyment of books in all activities. Children eagerly repeat familiar words and describe the characters or objects that they see. They recall previous learning as they talk about a witch and her cat travelling on a broomstick. However, there are times during mixed ability language activities, when the group becomes too large and some children become distracted as they are unable to hear. This does not enable all children to become effectively engaged.

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need to do better?

n Children develop good physical skills. They benefit from fresh air and exercise as they excitedly play chasing games or refine skills, such as throwing balls and hoops. Staff support children to climb, balance and take risks within a safe environment. n Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive good support to meet their needs. The special educational needs coordinator works with staff, parents and other professionals to help identify where children may need additional support. They put plans in place to help them succeed. All children gain the skills they need to be ready for their next stage of learning. n Partnerships with parents, schools and other professionals are a strength. Parents speak highly of the support and care that they and their children receive. Staff work closely with parents to ensure they are fully involved in children's learning. This collaborative approach helps to support children's

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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 build on the arrangements for coaching and mentoring staff, to strengthen teaching skills so that every opportunity is made to extend learning experiences for children n review the organisation of group-time activities to ensure it is appropriate for the learning and encourages all children to be more actively involved.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2752880 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10312578 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person Little meadows nursery LTD

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reference number

Telephone number 07824 681799 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Meadows Nursery registered in 2023. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, between 8am and 4pm, term time only. The nursery receives funding for free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are four members of staff who work with the children, three of whom have early years qualifications at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed activities in the main base room and garden. She talked to staff about the progress individual children are making and what they want the children to learn. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. The inspector observed interactions between staff and the children and the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including evidence of paediatric first-aid training. The inspector had a discussion with leaders about the evaluation of the setting and plans for improvement. n The inspector spoke to parents and children 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

24 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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