Little Fishes Nursery School

Inspection of Little Fishes Nursery School St. James' Church Centre, Church Lane, Rowledge, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4EN

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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 confidently enter the setting and know what is expected of them. For example, they understand where to store their belongings. Children are curious learners. They explore with enthusiasm the stimulating environment that staff provide for them. Staff are readily available to read stories to children and to play alongside them. Children respond positively to staff and listen to instructions and requests. For instance, they gather for a morning circle time to say hello to their friends. Staff encourage children to be kind and caring to each other.

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The provision is good

Children show they enjoy being at the setting. There are lots of smiles and laughter as they play together. Staff encourage siblings to play with each other as well as develop their own friendships. They offer lots of warm praise and celebrate children's achievements. Staff support children's emotional well-being effectively.

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The provision is good

Leaders have high aspirations for children and have planned a clear curriculum designed to teach children a range of skills. This supports children's next steps in learning now and for when they move on to school. Staff successfully implement this curriculum. For example, they encourage children to be independent from the earliest days by making choices. Children show increasing confidence in managing their own needs.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff carefully monitor children's progress. This allows them to swiftly identify when children may need additional support for their learning. Staff work effectively as a team to close any gaps children have. For instance, they all know which children need extra help with their communication. Staff use a range of strategies to help children understand, such as through using signs and gestures. This helps all children to be able to communicate their wants and needs. n Staff plan to build on what children already know and can do. They notice when children make links to previous learning, such as when children remember planting seeds. Staff encourage children to recall past experiences and help them to develop new learning. Children benefit from a range of additional experiences at the setting. For instance, they regularly take part in cooking and forest play sessions. Staff extend what children learn during these sessions, such

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need to do better?

as by following a recipe in role play. They support children's learning well through lively discussions and during play. n Children show they feel safe with staff and want to be with them. Staff recognise when children need help to manage their feelings and emotions and step in swiftly to offer this. They have implemented a range of different approaches across the setting to help children regulate their behaviour. However, at times,

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need to do better?

27 January 2025 this means staff step away from children who are engaged in their learning. Occasionally, children then lose focus and do not fully benefit from planned teaching. n Staff know children well and plan a good variety of activities that support their interests and spark their curiosity. For example, they explore space. Children look at different planets and rockets, and mix 'space soup' as they play in sand. At times, however, staff do not fully consider how children can test out their own ideas. For instance, children do not have the opportunity to explore how to fix materials together. Children are not always supported fully to develop and explore their own thinking. n Leaders have clear plans for continuous improvements and developments. Additional funding is used to positively impact what they offer to children at the setting. For example, children benefit from weekly physical development

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need to do better?

sessions from an external company. Staff comment on how much confidence children now have to use their fine and gross motor skills. n Staff work closely with parents to support children's learning. Staff readily share ideas with parents, such as through coffee mornings, family outings and parent workshops. Parents comment very favourably about the nurturing environment that staff provide for their children. They say their children are 'thriving' and have seen a notable increase in their confidence since being in the staff's care. Parents report on the effort staff make to build strong partnerships, which greatly benefits their children.

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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 review staff deployment so that they enable all children to remain highly focused on their learning n support staff to encourage children to build their confidence to explore their ideas further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 110268 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10376003 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person St. James Parochial Church Council

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reference number

Telephone number 01252 794617 Date of previous inspection 14 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Fishes Nursery School registered in 1996 and is located in Rowledge, Surrey. It is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 3pm and on Friday from 9am to 12.30pm, during term time only. There are 10 members of staff, of whom seven hold qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery receives funding for the provision of early education for children aged two, three and four years old.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they intend for the children to learn. n The inspector talked to the staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n A meeting was held between the inspector and manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of suitability of staff. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

27 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.

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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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