Little Learners Nursery School

Inspection of Little Learners Nursery School Inside Total Fitness, 53 Liverpool Rd, Chester, Cheshire CH2 1AQ

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Staff create a wonderfully supportive environment. They plan an array of engaging learning experiences for children, both inside and outside. Staff know what children need to learn next and expertly use their emerging interests to motivate children in their learning. For example, children's interest in planting and growing resulted in staff creating a garden vegetable patch. Children explain they have planted vegetables and are excited to harvest these. Children are confident and motivated learners who demonstrate positive 'can-do' attitudes. Children are happy, and they develop extremely close relationships with staff and demonstrate that they feel safe when attending nursery. Staff visit children in their homes and gather detailed information about them before they first attend. This approach has been instrumental in helping staff establish bonds with children and their families. Information gained is used effectively to ensure that each child's transition to the

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The provision is good

setting is carefully tailored to their individual needs. Staff use their observations and assessments of children's progress to develop a sequenced curriculum. All children make good progress from their starting points and are prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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The provision is good

Staff have extremely high expectations of children. They are fabulous role models who consistently demonstrate respect to each other and carry out their roles with a smile. Staff teach children the importance of good social skills. Children consistently use good manners when playing alongside each other. They take turns, involve others in their play and happily share toys with one another. Children are praised for their good behaviour, and as a result, they are kind and respectful towards each other and adults. This contributes to a calm atmosphere in which children thrive.

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need to do better?

n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get the support they need to thrive. Leaders are committed to removing barriers to learning. They have robust links in place with external professionals. Staff work closely with parents and put interventions in place to ensure that all children make good progress. n Staff have developed a movement area for two-year-olds. Children bounce on large balls. They jump on and off steps to exercise. Children explain their heart beat is 'fast'. The area gives children the opportunity to regulate their emotions and develop their physical skills, coordination and dexterity. This approach helps to prepare children for future learning as they begin to understand their own bodies. n Staff are committed to helping children develop a real love of reading in this nursery. They bring books alive with props, songs and actions. Children are mesmerised and delight in the experience. Every child takes a book home each

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need to do better?

6 June 2024 week. Parents are given tips on what they could talk to children about when looking at the books. As a result, parents help to develop their children's early literacy skills. n Managers closely support staff. They offer supervision opportunities to staff, meeting regularly to discuss aspects of their role. Staff feel supported and explain that their well-being is prioritised. Managers observe staff as they interact with children. However, there are times in activities when staff do not consistently help children gain the intended skills. Feedback given to staff is not always precise enough to help them fully enhance their practice in these moments. n Partnerships with parents are a strength of the nursery. Staff support parents and offer guidance. Parents enjoy stay-and-play sessions and workshops based on child development and have regular information evenings to keep them informed of their children's time at the nursery. Parents speak highly of the staff

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need to do better?

and particularly appreciate the supportive approach to breastfeeding. They state that the nursery is like an 'extended family'. These experiences enable parents to enhance children's learning at home. n Care practices are exceptional. Children's independence is promoted from the very start. Staff help children learn the nursery routines through songs. Young children giggle and sing along as they wash their hands. Staff consistently provide opportunities to bond with children, and babies receive regular massages. Children in the pre-school room have specific roles to help with, such as setting the table and organising recycling. Children are very well supported to develop responsible attitudes. n Children learn about the world around them. Staff arrange for children to travel on public transport and explore the local area. Children enjoy forest school sessions. They learn about nature as they investigate the natural environment.

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need to do better?

Children have weekly visits to a local nursing home and participate in music time with the residents. Children are extremely confident in social situations.

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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 provide precise guidance to staff about areas of practice to develop in order to further improve the outcomes for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY490294 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10347061 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 76 Number of children on roll 140 Name of registered person Nursery Schools Europe Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01244 421564 Date of previous inspection 8 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Little Learners Nursery School registered in 2015. The nursery employs 25 members of childcare staff. Of these, 22 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, excluding bank holidays. 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 their evaluation of the provider. n The deputy manager and 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 spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 special educational needs and disabilities coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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Inspection activities

their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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 June 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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