Little Oaks Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Oaks Day Nursery Gloucestershire Royal NHS Trust, Gloucester Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1 3NN

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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 happy and eager to attend this warm, nurturing and well-organised nursery. They build secure relationships with the kind and responsive staff and quickly engage in their chosen play. The nursery delivers a broad and well- sequenced curriculum that supports children's developmental needs. Staff understand children's learning goals and provide targeted support to help them progress. They work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that children receive the support they need.

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The provision is good

Babies develop strong physical skills as they eagerly explore the inviting learning environment. They build core strength by crawling up steady inclines and pulling themselves up on furniture into a standing position. Staff offer praise and encouragement to support a 'can do' attitude from a young age. They provide support to early walkers, holding their hands to help them balance when taking steps. Older children understand the daily routine and listen well to instructions from staff. They show good independence skills and competently manage their self- care, such as dressing themselves for outdoor play. Children behave well. They play cooperatively with their friends and are learning to share and take turns. For example, they pass around magnifying glasses while searching for insects in the garden and take turns navigating the stepping stones.

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need to do better?

n Staff monitor children's learning and development closely. They work in partnership with parents to gather children's ongoing interests and areas for development. Staff use this information to deliver a curriculum that supports children's individual needs. They complete termly assessments to monitor children's progress and identify any emerging gaps in learning. Staff seek guidance from other professionals, such as the inclusion team, to ensure that every child receives tailor-made support and makes the progress they are capable of. n Staff create an inviting learning environment with a variety of resources to support children's interests, both indoors and outdoors. However, they do not always fully consider the organisation of some spaces and resources. At times, older children find it difficult to engage in their chosen play, such as the sand tray and workbench, because they are overcrowded with children and difficult to

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need to do better?

access. This limits opportunities for them to engage in purposeful play and impacts on the quality of their learning. n All children benefit from regular opportunities to engage with books, stories and rhymes, enriching their language development and promoting a love of literacy from an early age. Children show positive attitudes to learning, and these sessions are an enjoyable part of the nursery routine. Children join in at

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need to do better?

7 March 2025 mealtimes with 'please' and 'thank you' songs and use props and actions during group song time. While staff work hard to promote children's communication, they sometimes lead conversations too much. They do not always allow children enough time to think, process and express their own ideas to help them build confidence and expand their vocabulary and language skills. n Children demonstrate good problem-solving skills and make connections to their prior learning. They independently complete puzzles, applying their knowledge of colours, words and pictures. For example, children recognise that an elephant is grey before finding the correct puzzle piece. Older children think critically and test their ideas, such as adding water to sand to build sandcastles. n Leaders and staff collaborate to enhance the curriculum and build connections with the local community. Staff take babies out on walks to explore the local

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need to do better?

area. Older children actively participate in charitable activities, such as delivering donations to the food bank. Leaders invite parents and professionals to educate children on topics such as healthy living and the importance of regular tooth brushing. Children engage in a range of physical activities. They join in with group rugby sessions and develop emotional well-being through experiences with animals. For example, they benefit from regular visits from Gizmo, a therapy dog, which helps support their social and emotional development. n Leaders value and support all staff, prioritising their personal well-being. They offer assistance with personal circumstances and provide access to well-being initiatives, such as the hospital's on-site '2020 Hub'. Staff benefit from regular supervisions, staff meetings and opportunities to attend various training sessions to enhance their skills. Staff morale is high and fosters a happy working

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need to do better?

environment that, in turn, has a positive impact on 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 enhance the organisation of activities to ensure all children can fully engage in purposeful and meaningful play n provide children with more time during group activities to think, process and express their own ideas, to further build their confidence and expand their vocabulary and language skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY245240 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10375739 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 45 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person Gloucestershire NHS Foundation Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 0300 422 5095 Date of previous inspection 1 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Oaks Day Nursery registered in 2001 and is located on the site of Gloucester Royal Hospital. The nursery opens each weekday from 7am to 6pm all year round, with the exception of bank holidays. The nursery cares for children of Gloucestershire NHS Trust employees. There are 15 staff employed to work directly with children. Of these, the manager holds a relevant level 5 qualification, one holds a relevant level 4 qualification, 12 hold relevant level 3 qualifications and one holds a relevant level 2 qualification. The nursery also uses internal bank staff. The nursery is in receipt of early education government funding for children aged from nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 and manager carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

7 March 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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