Little Buttons Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Buttons Day Nursery Cockernhoe Farm Barn, Brick Kiln Lane, NR Luton, Hertfordshire LU2 8PX

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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 well supported by kind staff at this calm and caring nursery. Staff respond to children's emotions and behaviours in ways that suit them individually. This helps children to feel settled and confident to explore the whole provision. There is a strong focus on developing children's communication skills across the nursery. Children learn a range of words that supports their growing vocabulary. Staff add the words into their play, giving words meaning for children. They take turns with babies to repeat the sounds they vocalise to help build on their very early conversation skills. Staff encourage older children to listen when others speak, such as a when reading a story or taking turns in games. This helps children to respect their peers.

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The provision is good

Children develop their physical skills in a range of ways. Babies pull themselves up to reach toys in a tray. Toddlers climb up steps to go down a small slide. Staff facilitate children holding a watering-can to fill with water under a tap then carry to water plants in different pots. This helps to develop children's coordination skills. Toddlers squeeze tweezers to pick up pom-poms and older children practise writing their names. These opportunities allow children to build strength in their hands. Staff help children to learn how to manage their own safety. As older children want to jump into the sandpit, staff remind them to take turns. Children ask their friends to move out of the way before jumping.

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need to do better?

n The managers have a good focus on helping children to make progress in their learning from birth in key areas. The specific emphasis on communication and language skills sequentially supports children's development as they grow through the nursery. The managers have high expectations of staff to teach children the skills and knowledge they need for moving on to the next stage of their education. The managers have a good programme in place to support staff development. However, not all staff engage with children and provide consistently high-quality interactions with children. n Staff focus on milestones that foster learning for the specific age ranges of children they work with. The team use the dedicated key-person approach to successfully tailor the provision for each child. At times, younger children's routines are less well ordered. For example, children do not realise it is time to tidy up and continue playing as the staff tidy the toys. Consequently, as children

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need to do better?

receive slightly less interaction during these transition times, their learning is not purposeful. n Staff spend a lot of time playing with children to help build trusting caring relationships. Children invite staff into their play and they respond warmly. For example, when older children ask staff if they would like to hold their play dough

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need to do better?

12 May 2025 worm, staff answer with enthusiasm, saying they would 'love to'. n Staff know the children well. They accurately assess children's learning and use this information effectively. They consider how to integrate next steps into the everyday play. For instance, when delivering planned activities, staff know which specific children will gain valuable development from the opportunities provided. n Staff use their interactions with children to skilfully add more to children's play and know when to stay nearby. Babies quietly concentrate to hook bangles on the arms of a 'mug tree'. As some babies watch a sensory play activity, staff intuitively know when to include them, asking if they would like to join in. Babies then engage as they indicate verbally and with gesture they would like to play with bubbles. Staff praise them for their good communication and babies attempt to catch bubbles with their hands, laughing with delight.

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need to do better?

n Children are learning a range of mathematical concepts in a purposeful way. Staff use language that indicates size, height and numbers appropriate to children's abilities. Staff sing counting songs to toddlers. When older children are investigating shapes, staff discuss the properties of them, such as a rectangle that has four sides. Staff encourage children to compare the length of their play dough worms and the sizes of the wild animals. This helps to give children a good grounding in using mathematical language in different contexts. n There is frequent communication between parents and staff. The close partnership working helps in meeting children's needs. For example, when helping children to understand their emotions. Parents report they receive in- depth information about their child's learning through the online learning system. This gives them reassurance that their children are making good

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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 continue to embed the professional development to help all staff offer children consistently high-quality interactions n review routine times for younger children so they are consistently secure and offer further opportunities for learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY375493 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10401654 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 66 Number of children on roll 88 Name of registered person Little Buttons Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01582 722337 Date of previous inspection 20 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Buttons Day Nursery registered in 2008. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for all eligible children. It employs 19 members of staff. Of these, 14 hold early years qualifications at level 3, and two hold higher qualifications, including one at level 7.

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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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 manager and the inspector carried out two joint observations of planned activities. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and considered their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Children talked with the inspector during the inspection.

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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

12 May 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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