Little Learners

Inspection of Little Learners 2nd Romiley Scout Hut, Hatherlow Wharf, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 4BB

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

Leaders and staff have created a warm and inviting atmosphere. They welcome children with an enthusiastic hello and a friendly smile. Children are clearly pleased to see staff as they eagerly run and greet them. They are emotionally secure and happy. Staff teach children about nature and the living world through an enjoyable range of activities. For instance, children enjoy spotting ducks and other wildlife in the nearby canal. They tend to plants in the garden and enjoy nature walks in the local community. Staff help children to appreciate nature and living things, developing their empathy.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff help children to understand what is expected of them through simple yet highly effective systems. For instance, staff ring a bell to provide children with cues for changes in routine. Children respond well to this and are helpful and cooperative. Staff use pictorial timetables to illustrate what will happen next. Children know what is expected of them, and this promotes children's good behaviour. Staff offer children a varied and engaging curriculum. They put a lot of thought and time into planning a stimulating environment and plan interesting activities linked to children's interests to motivate children in their learning. This is an organised, stimulating and friendly setting where children thrive.

p.2

need to do better?

n This is a highly inclusive provision. Children's unique personalities are nurtured by kind and caring staff. The ethos of the setting is to foster children's love of learning and help all children to have the best possible start in their lives. This is achieved through an ambitious and broad curriculum. n Planning is individualised. Each planned activity focuses closely on children's personal next steps. Children benefit from this targeted teaching and are supported to make good progress. n Staff value children's views and opinions and weave these into day-to-day activities. For example, children vote for their favourite books, and a 'wow board' publishes and celebrates children's special achievements. Listening to children's views in this way successfully helps to foster children's strong sense of self- worth. n Staff work well together to promote children's safety. For instance, prior to going outside, staff discuss who is responsible for checking equipment and who will

p.2

need to do better?

focus on supervision. This delegation of tasks helps to ensure that everything runs smoothly, and children remain safe and secure. n The quality of teaching to support children's emerging language skills is a notable strength. Staff offer ongoing narration and ask wonderful open questions, prompting children to think and respond. Children engage in two-way conversation and confidently contribute to group discussions. Staff use story

p.2

need to do better?

30 April 2025 time to enhance children's awareness of sentence structure. Children become confident communicators. n Children are encouraged to take books home from a well-stocked lending library. This helps to promote children's continued learning at home and promotes partnerships with parents. n Staff are attentive to children's personal care needs. They observe excellent hygiene procedures when changing nappies, such as wearing gloves and sterilising changing mats to minimise any cross-contamination of germs. This upholds children's good health. However, the space is not organised in the best way to fully promote children's privacy. While consideration has been given to the position of nappy changing facilities, these do not provide children with the utmost privacy during personal care routines. n The staff at this setting have a wonderful reputation within the local community for providing care and support for children with special educational needs and/or

p.2

need to do better?

disabilities. They work with some professionals that are involved in children's learning. However, these partnerships are not consistent or securely embedded. For instance, staff have fostered good relationships with health visitors but have not developed strong links with speech and language therapists who support some children. This means that they are not benefiting fully from the expertise available to help children make the best possible progress.

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 support staff to offer children more privacy during personal care routines, such as nappy changing procedures, to better support children's dignity n strengthen links with other professionals involved in children's care, such as speech and language therapists, to benefit from their expertise and help children make even more progress in their learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2710702 Local authority Stockport Inspection number 10380709 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 25 Number of children on roll 19 Name of registered person Jackson, Louise

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07534613135 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Learners registered in 2022. The pre-school employs four member of childcare staff, of whom all are qualified at level 2 and above. The manager holds qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during school term times. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The provider and inspector completed a learning walk. They discussed how the environment is organised and the aims of the curriculum. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children, both indoors and outside. The impact of teaching on children's learning was evaluated by the inspector. n The inspector spoke with staff, children and leaders and considered their comments. n Parents shared their views with the inspector. n The inspector sampled key documentation, including the suitability records for all staff.

p.4

Inspection activities

30 April 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

30 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