Little Rascals Day Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Little Rascals Day Nursery Ltd Unit 7-8 Howells Farm, Maypole Road, Heybridge, maldon, Essex CM9 4SY

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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

The management and team of nurturing staff ensure that children are warmly welcomed into an inviting, homely and fun environment in which to learn. Along with children's interests, the nursery's five core values influence the flexible and ambitious curriculum. For example, their values that underpin all learning opportunities include promoting independence, becoming clear and confident communicators, celebrating individuality, establishing strong bonds and learning about the community. Children demonstrate that they are confident, feel safe and secure and are eager learners. They have established strong bonds with their key person and, therefore, leave their parents with ease and quickly engage in activities of their choice. The committed team invests time getting to know the children and their family before they attend to ensure a smooth transition from home to nursery.

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The provision is good

Throughout the day there is a calm and happy atmosphere. Staff are good role models. They are caring and attentive to children's needs. Children are busy and play very well together. For example, they show great curiosity and perseverance as they make good attempts to solve problems. They negotiate together as they fix different-sized drainpipes from a water tray to make a run for their trucks. A bend in a pipe provides them with additional problems but they do not give up. Staff are subtle and skilful in their interactions and offers of help. Staff speak with genuine kindness and are respectful of the children, listening to what they have to say and supporting their choices.

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need to do better?

n The management and team of staff ensure that the curriculum is relevant and well planned. Knowledgeable staff fully understand how to plan in the moment to support children's ideas and lead their learning both indoors and outdoors. n A good settling-in process ensures that staff know the children well. They have a good understanding of child development and where children are in their progress when they first attend. The quality of teaching is good. While there are good systems in place to communicate daily and share some information with parents, there are fewer opportunities to discuss children's ongoing progress, so as to support their learning at home. n Parents speak positively of all aspects of the nursery. They are keen to express their appreciation for the welcoming, approachable and kind team and the care offered to their children. Parents comment that they feel completely reassured their children are in safe hands.

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need to do better?

n Babies have immense fun participating in messy play. They enjoy the sensory smells and feel of 'chocolate flavoured gloop'. They learn the skill of scooping the mixture using spoons to fill cups. They giggle as they excitedly join in song time, singing familiar songs. They use instruments and bells with gusto. Babies'

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need to do better?

17 December 2024 individual routines are respected, and staff know when children become tired. They offer reassurance and cuddles and make them comfortable, soothing them to aid restful sleep. n Staff talk about their role at nursery with enthusiasm. They say they feel fully supported through training opportunities to develop their practice and knowledge and through regular supervision. They say they feel valued, their ideas are welcome and that their well-being is fully considered by the management team. n Children are confident speakers. For example, they confidently tell visitors to the nursery what they like to do while at nursery. They discuss their families and invite visitors to join in their games. They ask questions and show an interest in what is happening during the inspection. Staff engage children in conversation and have a clear comprehension of how children develop their conversation skills.

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need to do better?

n Young children thoroughly enjoy using construction toys. They build with bricks and talk about the tall towers they make. Children play with toy trains, dinosaurs and cars and absorb themselves in imaginary play. Role play is initially popular and sparks some interest. They enjoy using dolls in their play. However, the lack of resources and challenge in this area means they soon become bored and move on to something else. In addition, there is a lack of comfortable cosy spaces for younger children to sit and relax if needed.

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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 partnerships even further with parents to consistently share information about their child's progress and help them extend and support learning at home n provide younger children with cosy spaces to relax and provide a broader range of role-play resources to enable all children to explore and develop their own play and ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2689417 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10368347 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 40 Number of children on roll 64 Name of registered person Little Rascals Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01621853468 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Rascals Day Nursery Ltd registered in 2022 and is situated in Heybridge, Essex. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year, from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector around the areas that children access, and they discussed how staff organise the nursery and plan the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector and nursery manager carried out a joint observation. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of the nursery documents. This included evidence about staff's suitability and training. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.

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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

17 December 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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