Learn and Grow Childcare

Inspection of Learn and Grow Childcare 62-63 Merrick House, Whale Avenue, Reading RG2 0GX

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, children show confidence and that they feel safe and secure in this welcoming setting. They are happy and staff build positive relationships, offering cuddles and comfort and building children's emotional development. Staff know the children well and provide a range of activities for them to engage in.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff read and share favourite books with children. They enjoy sitting and looking at a range of books and predicting what happen next. Staff ask interesting questions to support children's thinking and language development as they talk about the book and what they see happening in the pictures.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff know and can identify children's current progress and some next steps in learning. However, the curriculum is not yet fully established to support and challenge staff's understanding of how to help children make consistently good progress. For example, staff do not always have a clear vision for the purpose of an activity so they know what they want children to learn from it. Inconsistencies in teaching impact children's focus and attitude towards their play and learning.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have an overall plan for what they want children to learn at the setting. They offer support and guidance through modelling practice with the staff. However, the curriculum is not yet fully embedded. For example, leaders do not make sure staff understand the aims and intended learning for individual activities, so that staff can support children effectively to make consistently good progress. Leaders know there are improvements to be made to develop the provision to provide a consistently good standard of teaching that challenges and supports learning and development. n Leaders are keen to provide an environment that is inviting and supports children's learning and development. They consider the needs of the children attending and how they can best support children to feel settled and secure. Children have access to a range of activities and resources where they can make choices of what they would like to do. They enjoy joining their friends and

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need to do better?

sharing their ideas. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly, and appropriate referrals are made. Staff work closely with children to provide the targeted support they need to enable them to access the provision and feel included in play and learning. n Children show a keen interest in books. Staff support this with enthusiasm, reading and talking about favourite stories and recalling what children remember. Children are developing good communication and language skills. n Staff complete tasks as part of daily routines to support children to know what to

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need to do better?

25 April 2025 expect and when. For example, they clean the room after snack in preparation for the children going outside. However, at times they do not ensure that routines are organised well or communicated to the children so that they are fully aware of what is happening and when. For example, children often spend long periods of time preparing for the next activity, such as going outside, but staff are not yet prepared or ready. As a result, some children become restless and unsettled, so they begin to wander around the room. This creates an environment that can feel chaotic, which impacts on children's behaviour and their ability to engage and focus on purposeful play. n Children benefit from many opportunities to develop their physical skills, particularly during outdoor play. They enjoy playing ball and developing their hand-eye coordination as they learn to throw and catch. Staff join with the

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need to do better?

children and offer praise and encouragement. This helps to engage children and support them in developing a sense of pride in their achievements. n Generally, staff comfort children when they are upset and need reassurance. This helps build their emotional well-being. Staff encourage children to build on and develop their independence skills. For example, younger children are beginning to put on their own shoes ready to play in the garden. They show excitement and joy when they manage this for themselves. Staff praise and celebrate with them.

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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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Due date

ensure staff receive the training and coaching they need to improve the quality of teaching to help them understand how to effectively implement the curriculum. 27/06/2025

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should:

n improve how daily routines are managed to ensure staff know what is expected of them and of children, to enable staff to consistently promote children's well-

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2767121 Local authority Reading Inspection number 10391560 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 111 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person Learn and Grow Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07881361041 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Learn and Grow Childcare registered in 2023. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round except for bank holidays. There is a manager employed who holds a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

25 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.

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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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