Little Learners

Inspection of Little Learners Vigo Parish Council, Village Hall, The Bay, Vigo, Gravesend DA13 0TD

p.1

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

There are breaches of requirements, and this does not ensure children's safety and welfare. The provider has not ensured that the recruitment procedures are robust. However, children arrive eager and ready to start their day at nursery. They separate from their parents and carers with ease and settle to their chosen play. Children thoroughly enjoy expressing themselves creatively while enhancing their physical skills, such as through the activities staff offer. They jump to 'splat' the paint from the tools onto the paper pinned upright to the fence. Children receive worthwhile praise for their efforts and achievements. Staff encourage them to keep trying with things, such as taking off their outdoor clothing. This contributes to children being able to persevere and succeed in their chosen tasks, improving levels of independence.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children relish their outdoor experiences and staff set out this area with a good variety of exciting and enticing activities. They base these on children's current interests, weaving in what they know children need to learn next. This enables children to engage fully in their learning, gathering new skills and practising those that they already have as they play. Staff make worthwhile and targeted improvements to the setting. The provider understands how to plan an effective curriculum, where there are clear intentions for teaching and learning. This contributes to successful learning outcomes for children.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider has not ensured that she has followed effective safer recruitment procedures. She did not identify that an enhanced criminal records check was not in place for a member of staff. Once she became aware of this during the inspection, she took immediate action to ensure that they were not left unsupervised with children. However, her recruitment process had not enabled her to identify this breach of a requirement. This does not ensure children's safety and welfare consistently. n The provider has a secure and working knowledge of how to assess the impact of staff's interactions with children. She understands the importance of using these moments to enhance staff's teaching skills. This aids the continual development of staff's interactions with children. Staff understand how to observe and assess children's levels of development and plan for what each child needs to learn next. n Children understand the daily routines of the nursery, following these with ease.

p.2

need to do better?

This helps to them feel a strong sense of belonging and understand what is happening next. Staff use additional resources, such as now and next boards. This aids children who need more support, such as those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

p.2

need to do better?

28 February 2025 n Staff fully recognise children's developmental needs and when it is appropriate for children to begin the move to the next age-group room. Staff support children in spending times with the older age group, such as playing outdoors. This helps children to be able to follow their interest and build new relationships with different children and staff. n The provider offers a highly inclusive setting, where children learn to embrace different cultures and diversity. Children have opportunities to share songs from home, celebrating children's heritages. This enhances children's awareness of similarities and differences. n Partnerships with parents and carers are good. Parents report that they receive daily updates about the routines of their child's day. The provider reviews systems to contribute to enhancing the sharing of developmental information. Parents comment that the provider uses additional funding successfully to meet

p.2

need to do better?

children's individual needs. n The provider has clear processes for supporting staff's well-being and development. Staff have a full induction to help ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities. There are procedures for the completion of individual meetings with staff, where the provider and staff review ongoing training and development opportunities. Staff comment about the effective support they receive from the provider for their well-being.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

ensure that any person who has regular contact with children is suitable and that robust recruitment processes are followed 28/03/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure that every member of staff working with children has an enhanced criminal records check. 28/04/2025

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2723679 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10391077 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Spalding, Joanne

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07854744689 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Learners registered in 2023 and is situated in Vigo Village Hall, Gravesend, Kent. The setting is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm, term time only. There are ten members of staff, five of whom hold childcare qualifications. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The provider and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider. n The inspector spoke with staff and interacted with children. n Parents shared their views about the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

p.4

Inspection activities

28 February 2025 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.4

Inspection activities

28 February 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