Tom Thumb Nursery: Reffley

Inspection of Tom Thumb Nursery: Reffley Tom Thumb Nursery, 54 Reffley Lane, King's Lynn PE30 3EH

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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 are warmly greeted by staff at the door and welcomed in. Those who are less confident are given reassurance and time to separate from their parents. Children show that they enjoy their time at this nursery. They are content and form secure bonds with the friendly, nurturing staff team. Children increase their confidence as they explore the environment and available toys and resources. They learn key independent skills, such as using the toilet and handwashing. Children are given the opportunity to be energetic. They eagerly join in with staff to a movement session and have a go at balancing on different height stepping stones indoors.

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The provision is good

Children are familiar with daily routines and understand expectations. They listen to staff as they ring a bell and efficiently respond to their requests when it is time to tidy away resources. With gentle support from staff, children are encouraged to follow guidance and rules that help to keep them safe. Children are kind and considerate. For example, older children help younger children to find their coats before going outdoors. Staff give children plenty of time to complete tasks for themselves. They praise children often as they recognise their efforts and achievements.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff talk confidently about where children are in their learning and development and regular assess what children know and can do. They use this information to plan the curriculum and know what it is they would like children to achieve during their time at nursery. Staff encourage children's numeracy and literacy skills. However, staff's implementation of the curriculum is not consistent. At times, staff do not use opportunities to challenge or extend children's learning so that they achieve as much new learning as they can from the experiences on offer. n Children enjoy sensory play experiences. They keenly explore a variety of textures that promotes their creativity and curiosity. For example, children enthusiastically investigate shaving foam with their hands. They are eager to join the play dough table and select the different tools they would like to use, such as rolling pins and shape cutters. Children identify that they need more flour if

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need to do better?

the dough becomes sticky. They chat to each other and are keen to point out to staff what they have made. Outdoors, children experiment with water and sand. Staff supervise children well and demonstrate to them what else they can make with the different materials. n Stories and singing are a key part of daily practice, helping to promote children's communication and language skills. Staff use props to help children identify the next song they will sing during 'circle time'. Children join in with the familiar

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need to do better?

28 January 2025 actions and words. Staff chat easily with the children, ask questions and, in the main, introduce new words to help develop children's vocabulary. However, there are times when staff do not fully consider the impact of background noise or the organisation of group activities on children's speech and language development. As a result, some children, such as younger or less confident ones, struggle to remain engaged, for example, during story time. n Effective partnerships with parents are in place. Parents spoken to on the day of the inspection comment positively about the nursery and staff team. They state their children are very happy and love to attend. n Staff work effectively as a team to quickly identify if a child may not be meeting typical milestones. They work sensitively with parents and, when necessary, closely with other professionals and agencies to help ensure that these children

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need to do better?

reach their full potential. n Staff say they enjoy working in the nursery, many of whom have been there for a number of years. They feel well supported in their role and with their well- being. Leaders monitor staff's performance. Staff have supervision meetings and access to a range of training courses through an online learning platform to help enhance their knowledge and skills. Overall, this has a positive impact on the quality of children's learning experiences.

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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 support staff to make a clear link between the intent and delivery of planned activities to enable them to shape those activities successfully to the learning needs of children n review and develop further the organisation of routine activities to enable younger or less confident children to fully join in to extend their listening and attention skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY540516 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10377776 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 26 Number of children on roll 70 Name of registered person The Norfolk Childcare Company Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01553670819 Date of previous inspection 1 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Tom Thumb Day Nursery: Reffley registered in 2017. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, during term-time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 5.30pm, including an after-school club from 3pm. The nursery offers government funded places for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure that they are safe and suitable. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed their curriculum and what it is that they want their children to learn. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The management team and the inspector held a meeting together. The inspector looked at a sample of documents, including evidence of staff's qualifications, training and suitability.

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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 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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