Little Fishes Pre-school and Nursery

Inspection of Little Fishes Pre-school and Nursery West Cross, Caen Street, Braunton EX33 1AQ

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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

Staff warmly welcome children and their families to this friendly, little nursery. Children arrive ready to start their day and enthusiastically engage in activities. Staff support children's learning as they play. For example, staff help children to make play dough, encouraging them to smell and describe the ingredients. They support children to count wooden bricks as they build a tower and extend language, introducing the terms 'diagonal' and 'horizontal' as they play noughts and crosses.

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The provision is good

Staff are sensitive and caring. They build positive, warm relationships with all children and are immediately responsive to children who become upset. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They have a very positive attitude to their learning, and they behave well.

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The provision is good

Children delight in adventures in the local community with members of staff. They talk excitedly about the things they see around them. For example, different fruits at the grocery store and the plants growing by the river. Older children are keen to complete a colour hunt, identifying different objects they have seen.

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The provision is good

Parents are extremely happy with the care and education that the nursery provides. They comment that their children have made good progress at the nursery. Children are well prepared for the next steps in their education, including school.

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need to do better?

n Children are confident communicators. Staff use books and stories well to support children's language development. For example, they introduce new words such as 'unique' and 'patchwork' as they read the story of the week. Staff also use sign language and pictures to support younger children's development. Older children have a wide vocabulary and are keen to share their ideas and experiences. n Children are very independent. They select activities and resources according to their interests and manage their own personal care. Staff encourage children to prepare their own snacks. Children pour the milk, cut the fruit and wash up their plates. Staff nurture children's personal, social and emotional development well. n Staff provide enriching experiences for children that help them to make sense of the world around them. For example, during trips away from the setting, they teach children about road safety and support them to understand that

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need to do better?

neighbourhood signs have meaning. Children develop empathy and respect for others as staff explain why someone might need a mobility scooter. n Children of different ages play together throughout the day. This enables them to learn from one another and supports children's understanding of their own

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need to do better?

13 August 2024 needs and those of others. Staff generally adapt activities well to support the needs of different ages of children. For example, staff talk to older children about different species of insects as they explore with magnifying glasses. They use simple language for younger children and show them how to hold the equipment. However, there are occasions when older children receive more attention than their younger peers, which means that the needs of the youngest children are not fully met. n Children are supported in developing creative skills as they use their fingers and brushes to paint on printed sheets. Staff teach children how to change a baby doll's nappy through role play. However, there are limited opportunities for children to express their own ideas through creative and imaginative play. n Staff and leaders value parents as partners. Children enjoy taking the nursery mascot home with them to create a photo diary, which they share with staff and

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need to do better?

their friends when they return. This provides opportunities for language development and supports communication between home and nursery. Staff also use 'All About Me' books to share the next steps in children's development with parents, which helps to promote continuity of care. n Senior leaders are highly effective. They regularly evaluate the efficacy of the setting and, as a result, the nursery is continuously improving. Leaders support the staff team extremely well. They ensure that staff attend regular training and have the knowledge, skills and support they need to carry out their roles successfully. Staff are happy, and they work effectively as a team.

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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 adapt the learning environment, the learning experiences that are offered and the daily routine further to fully meet the needs of children under two years old n provide extended opportunities for children to express their ideas through creative and imaginative play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2673587 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10350708 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 24 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Braunton Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01271 817 968 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Fishes Pre-school and Nursery registered under its current management in April 2022. It operates from the town of Braunton in North Devon. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff. Of whom, all hold relevant level 3 qualifications. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am to 5.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The deputy manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years foundation stage curriculum. 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 spoke to parents and took account of their views. n The inspector accompanied staff and children on a planned walk in the local environment. n The inspector looked at the relevant documentation and reviewed 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

13 August 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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