Little Sneakers at Lodge Park

Inspection of Little Sneakers at Lodge Park 15 Lodge Pool Drive, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 7LH

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time in nursery. Staff greet children warmly, which helps them to settle quickly. Children form close attachments with staff, who ensure they meet children's individual needs throughout the day. Staff know children well and provide experiences that interest them and spark their curiosity. Younger children enjoy playing with the small-world animals. They recognise that a tiger has stripes and a cheetah has spots and enjoy making a roaring sound. Children like listening to stories. Staff are animated as they read to them, which captures children's attention.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff are positive role models for children. They treat children with kindness and are quick to recognise when children might need a cuddle and reassurance. Children learn the importance of being kind to one another and to share and take turns. Staff build children's confidence and self-esteem through praise and encouragement. They acknowledge children's efforts and achievements.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff support children to develop future skills, such as managing their own personal care. Independence is encouraged from an early age. Children access fresh drinking water throughout the day and learn to feed themselves. They spend lots of time outdoors in the fresh air being physically active. Staff ensure that children sleep safely and regularly monitor them as they sleep. The care of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is good. Staff work in partnership with parents to access additional support their child may need. They work closely with other professionals to ensure that support is sharply focused to help children make the best possible progress.

p.2

need to do better?

n Managers are very supportive of their team and recognise their skills. Individual supervision sessions help identify professional development opportunities so that staff can continually build their knowledge and skills. Staff well-being is a priority. Communication between managers and staff is good and they are very supportive of each other. Staff share good practice with each other and cascade information from training they have completed to the wider team. n Staff plan to respond spontaneously to children's interests. For example, following a physical activity, staff seize the opportunity to talk to older children about how their bodies work and what their skeleton and their internal organs look like. They use reference books to show children pictures to help them gain a better understanding. However, the systems for planning are not consistently applied across the nursery and at times activities for younger children lack

p.2

need to do better?

purpose. n Parents are very happy with the care provided for their children. They

p.2

need to do better?

22 August 2024 particularly like the time staff take to gather information about children from parents and settle children into nursery. This enables staff to meet their needs effectively. Parents say that communication between nursery and home is good. They receive information through an online app about their child's day and the progress they are making. Parents comment that because their children enjoy being in nursery, they can leave them knowing that they are safe and well cared for. n Children's dietary needs and preferences are well known by staff. Freshly prepared meals are available each day, or parents have the option to provide a packed lunch for their child. Staff liaise with parents to ensure packed lunches are healthy. Mealtimes are social occasions and children enjoy chatting to staff and each other. However, lunchtime is at times disorganised, and some children wait for some considerable time before being able to sit down and eat.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children thoroughly enjoy spending time outside. They carefully lift wooden logs to see if they can find any insects underneath them. Children play football, taking turns to be the goalkeeper while others try to score goals. Staff create assault courses for the children to complete. Children move in and out of plastic cones and climb up and over wooden climbing frames. This helps them to develop their large-muscle skills, balance and coordination. n Children learn about different cultural events and celebrations throughout the year. They see positive images of families from around the world and people with differing abilities in books and resources. Children are encouraged to talk about their own families and the special people in their lives.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n review planning to ensure a consistent approach and understanding across the nursery, with particular focus on the younger children n consider the organisation of mealtimes to minimise waiting times for children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY217547 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10361652 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person Sneakers Childcare Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01527 523279 Date of previous inspection 22 July 2022

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Sneakers at Lodge Park registered in 2002. The nursery employs 11 members of staff. Of these, nine are qualified to level 2 and level 3. The nursery opens from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except bank holidays and one week at Christmas. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued 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 the children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector spoke with the manager about the leadership and management of the setting. 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. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

22 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6