Little Orchard Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Orchard Day Nursery 3 Gravel Hill, KINGTON, Herefordshire HR5 3BS

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 are very happy and settled at this clean and organised nursery. They form secure relationships with the caring staff, who know them and their families well. All children demonstrate that they feel valued and cared for. The youngest children confidently climb onto staff's laps and snuggle in for a cuddle. This effectively supports their emotional well-being.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff plan a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led play activities. Children develop positive attitudes to learning and make independent choices about their play. They express their creativity and develop strength in their hands as they use small hammers and shapes to create pictures on boards. Children enthusiastically join in with activities led by staff. For example, older children demonstrate their understanding of traditional stories and confidently recall a story about three little pigs. Staff help the youngest children to develop their emerging speech. They introduce single words and associative sounds, such as 'moo', as they play with farm animals. Children demonstrate their understanding of what staff expect from them. Older children cover their mouth when they cough because they know this helps to stop the spread of germs. Children are learning to share and play cooperatively with their friends. The youngest children sleep peacefully in

p.2

The provision is good

comfortable surroundings. Staff regularly check on them to ensure their safety and well-being.

p.2

need to do better?

n The leadership and management of this nursery are strong. The provider and staff team have designated roles and responsibilities to aid the efficient and effective management of the nursery. They have a shared vision and are committed to providing all children with the highest quality care and education at all times. Staff morale is high. They speak positively about the provider and the strong support they receive, both in their professional roles and for their personal well-being. n All children make good progress from their starting points because staff plan an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum. Staff place a strong focus on supporting children to develop skills for life, such as independence, confidence and empathy. Staff make regular assessments of where children are in their learning and development. They use this information to plan for their next steps in learning. However, on occasion, children's planned next steps in learning are

p.2

need to do better?

not always developmentally appropriate or precise enough to help them make even better progress. n The provider gives staff many opportunities to continue their professional development. Staff meet regularly with leaders to discuss best practice and identify training needs to further enhance their knowledge and skills. However,

p.2

need to do better?

23 January 2025 the provider does not always monitor staff's practice and the training they attend effectively to identify gaps in their knowledge and precisely target professional development opportunities to raise teaching to an outstanding level. n Staff support children effectively to learn about healthy lifestyles. The nursery provides nutritious meals and snacks, and staff provide children with daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They ensure children are dressed appropriately to enable them to play outside in all weathers. Children demonstrate good physical skills. They run, climb and balance on age- appropriate apparatus. Staff support children to develop patience and to connect with nature. For example, they help children to make bird feeders to encourage the birds to visit the garden more regularly. n Staff swiftly identify children who are not at their expected levels of development. They work closely with parents and other professionals to develop

p.2

need to do better?

individual support plans to help children close gaps in their learning. n Care and hygiene practices are good. Staff seek children's permission to wipe their nose and change their nappy. They gently attend to their personal care. Older children display high levels of independence. They use the self-care station to find a tissue to wipe their nose and ensure the tissue is placed in the bin. Staff remind children to wash their hands at regular intervals during the day. n Staff have good relationships with parents and update them about their children's time at the nursery in a range of ways. For example, staff speak to parents at the start and end of the day and add information to children's online learning records. Staff host termly parents' evenings, allowing more in-depth conversations about their children's progress. Parents are very happy with the care and education their children receive and comment on the high levels of

p.3

need to do better?

progress their children make and the wonderful relationships staff have with the children.

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 children's planned next steps in learning to make sure they are precise and developmentally appropriate to help children make the best possible progress n monitor staff's practice and the training they attend more closely to precisely identify any gaps in their knowledge and target professional development opportunities to raise the quality of teaching to an outstanding level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY382247 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 10372554 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 39 Name of registered person Little Orchard Day Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01544 231051 Date of previous inspection 25 April 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Orchard Day Nursery registered in 2008 and operates from premises in Kington, Herefordshire. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including two qualified teachers. The nursery operates all year around, except for one week at Christmas and one week in August. Sessions are available Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 5.30pm. The nursery offers funded early education for children aged from nine months to four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The provider, deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the provider about the leadership and management of the setting. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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 observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector and the provider carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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

23 January 2025 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