Little Leprechauns Day Nurseries

Inspection of Little Leprechauns Day Nurseries 19 Broad Pavement, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 1RP

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children form strong bonds with staff, particularly their key person. Staff take the time to get to know children and speak to parents about each child's individual interests. They use the information they gather to help children feel secure and support their overall emotional well-being. Children benefit from a range of experiences thoughtfully planned by staff, which help them to make progress towards their individual next steps in learning. For example, children develop social skills, make friends and learn to be kind to one another. Staff model good manners, how to take turns and explain how to be kind to others. Young children demonstrate what they have learned as they pause at the soft play and wait for their friends to get down before they climb on. Older children pass each other coloured paint pens so their friends can have a turn.

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The provision is good

Children are supported from a young age to gain skills that help them to become more independent. Staff steady children who are taking their first steps and support children to stand at the sink as they learn to wash their hands. Young children are encouraged to pour their drinks and learn how to peel the lids off their yoghurt pots as staff describe how to hold the corner and peel the lid back. Older children learn to prepare fruit for snack time. Staff teach children how to use knives safely. They tell children to hold the fruit on the flat side and keep their fingers out of the way before they cut. Older children successfully slice the fruit into pieces for their snack.

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need to do better?

n Staff use children's interests and their knowledge of child development to plan the activities they provide for children. For example, they use children's interest in dinosaurs to introduce new mathematical language. Staff talk to younger children about the length of different dinosaur tails. Children begin to understand different sizes and compare which dinosaurs have shorter or longer body parts. Outside, staff follow older children's interest in water play. They support children in understanding capacity as they model how to fill and empty containers with water and measure different quantities. n During planned adult-led activities, staff support children well and are clear regarding what they want them to learn. However, staff do not consistently enhance children's learning during their independent play. Therefore, children often struggle to settle at activities and remain focused on what they are doing.

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need to do better?

n Staff develop children's confidence beyond the nursery. Staff take children to visit their local community to learn the purpose of different environments. For example, children learn how to loan books from the library and begin to understand the meaning of money as they purchase items from the supermarket. Parents notice the positive impact these experiences have. They

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need to do better?

28 October 2024 comment that since visiting local places with staff, their children are less worried about going to new environments with them. n The staff know every child well and tailor their support and communication to each child's needs. As the youngest children start to make sounds, staff are quick to acknowledge and respond to them. They use single words to label the items children point to, which helps to broaden children's vocabulary. Staff introduce young children to the names of animals as they read books. When children see further pictures of the animals, they recall the names and try to repeat them. Staff skilfully question older children to extend their conversation skills. Children happily give reasons why sand will not stay in a sand castle shape and discuss how the structure could be made sturdier. n Staff gain children's attention before they ask them to tidy up. They use visual timers and play a tidy-up song to let children know they need to stop what they

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need to do better?

are doing and help. However, staff are not always consistent in their expectations of children during these changes in routine. For example, some staff praise children for dancing along to the music while other staff are busy trying to get children to put toys away. This means children often become confused and are not always supported to understand staff's expectations. n Leaders and staff swiftly identify gaps in children's learning and ensure that all children, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive tailored support. They plan individual-focused activities for children to help them make steps in their learning. Staff work closely with leaders to allocate additional funding and agree on how to spend it. For example, staff have created a sensory area and use sensory stimulating resources to re-engage children and help them focus during planned activities.

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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 strengthen staff's skills in supporting children's independent play to help children settle at activities and maintain focus n support staff to develop a more consistent approach when managing changes to routines to ensure that children understand what is expected of them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY308969 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 10355320 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 48 Number of children on roll 72 Name of registered person Little Leprechauns Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01246 208746 Date of previous inspection 26 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Little Leprechauns Day Nurseries is located in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and registered in 2005. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 13 hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, closing on Christmas and New Year's day only. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides government- funded places for children aged nine months to three years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The nursery managers and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector and the manager carried out joint observations of activities outside. n Children spoke with 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 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

28 October 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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