The Little Blue Door

Inspection of The Little Blue Door The Little Blue Door Nursery, Hadrian Drive, Westhampnett, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0FP

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children show they feel safe with staff. For instance, babies snuggle in for cuddles as they share books with staff, and older children seek out staff to be with. Staff provide children with effective support for their emotional well-being. They know the children they care for well and what they like to do. This helps staff to plan and supply resources that will motivate children in their play and learning. For example, younger children enjoy the excitement of unwrapping cars and older children delight in the role-play area. They learn to take turns as they play and follow the guidelines set by staff, such as there only being four children in the home corner at a time. Staff offer children lots of praise and encouragement. This supports their self-esteem well.

p.2

The provision is good

Leaders and managers have designed a clear curriculum that can be adapted effectively to meet the needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This is implemented by staff effectively. Babies, for example, learn to build relationships with their familiar adults. Young children start to follow a predictable daily routine. Older children learn to recognise their written name and look after their belongings. Leaders and managers support staff to help children build on what they know and can do. Staff are positive role models for children. They support children to develop a range of skills that will help them move on to the next stage in their education.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff readily identify when children may need extra help for their learning. Children with SEND have good support. For example, staff offer movement and sensory breaks to children with SEND when they struggle with the daily routine. They seek out extra training and try new ideas and strategies to help meet children's individual needs. Staff work well with external professionals to ensure high levels of continuity for children's care and learning. n Children benefit from staff who support them to be confident. For instance, throughout the nursery, staff support children through familiar songs to know what activities are coming up. This helps children to feel secure and know what is expected. Children listen attentively to staff and show positive attitudes to their learning. n Staff understand the importance of children being physically active. For example, they encourage children to run, climb and balance outdoors. Children delight in

p.2

need to do better?

riding bikes and dancing energetically to music. Staff provide children with activities to develop their fine motor skills, such as threading pasta shapes onto pipe cleaners. Staff offer children many and varied opportunities that support their physical development effectively. n Overall, teaching is good. Staff provide children with positive interactions that

p.2

need to do better?

1 April 2025 support their learning. For example, staff help babies to crawl, climb and learn to stand up as they use soft-play equipment. They encourage babies to keep trying and celebrate their successes with warm praise. However, at times, staff teaching is not fully effective. For instance, staff do not always allow children time to think and reply to questioning, or check if all children can access stories in a big group. Leaders and managers offer support to staff to develop their knowledge and skills, but this is not finely tuned to help staff deliver consistently good teaching. n Children benefit from many activities and experiences that staff plan to support their learning. For instance, young children explore vegetables as staff help them to make links to previous seed planting. Older children make potions, using pipettes to strengthen their hand muscles as they play. However, occasionally,

p.2

need to do better?

staff do not consider how to fully develop children's independence skills. For example, they do not support babies to make choices, or young children to try and manage self-care tasks. Staff do not consistently support children to learn to be independent. n Staff build effective partnerships with parents. They offer parents many opportunities to get involved with their children's learning, such as through stay- and-play sessions. Leaders and managers plan a varied parent programme to offer them support and advice. Parents comment favourably about the positive communication they have from staff about their children's time at the nursery. n Leaders and managers provide effective support for staff well-being. Staff report they feel valued in their role. Leaders and managers involve staff and parents in feedback to support continual improvements to benefit 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 focus staff's professional development more sharply on enhancing their teaching skills to support all children to make the best possible progress n strengthen arrangements so children receive consistent support and encouragement to promote their independence skills.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2723945 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10392494 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 95 Number of children on roll 149 Name of registered person The Little Blue Door Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07785357714 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Little Blue Door registered in 2023. The setting is located in Westhampnett, West Sussex. The setting is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. There are 27 members of childcare staff, of whom 21 hold qualifications at level 3 or above. The setting provides funded early education for children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager and the 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 observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact this is having on the children's learning. n The inspector talked to the staff and the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector completed two joint observations with the manager and deputy manager. n A meeting was held between the inspector, the provider and manager and deputy manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of the suitability of staff. 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

1 April 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