Little Toes Day Nursery North Muskham

Inspection of Little Toes Day Nursery North Muskham Little Toes Day Nursery, Sandy Lodge, Bathley Lane, North Muskham, Newark NG23 6HR

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and are warmly greeted by staff who know them well. Staff take the time to ask parents about each child's interests, home environment and developmental stage when they first join. This information is used by staff to help ensure a smooth settling-in process for children.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a calm and focused atmosphere, where they grow in confidence and harmoniously engage in play with their friends. The nursery's ethos is to motivate and inspire children to become explorers. Staff put the children at the centre of their curriculum, focusing on their individual learning needs. Children have lots of opportunities to self-select activities. They are supported by staff who deploy themselves well across the nursery. Children are engaged in small groups, where staff guide their play and learning. This ensures the children are well- supported and occupied in what they are doing. Consequently, children make good progress towards their onward education.

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The provision is good

Children follow daily routines and quickly become independent as staff promote important life skills. For example, children wash their hands and serve themselves lunch. Staff plan the forest school sessions well to support their intentions for children's learning. Pre-school children relish in nature as they learn to make toast safely on an open fire. Staff teach children not to cross the forest school boundary without permission to ensure their safety. This supports children's resilience and self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n Staff thoughtfully plan activities for children to engage in physical activity before sitting down for group time. This helps the children to settle and be ready to learn. Staff sing songs to babies as they shake musical instruments. Older children enjoy using musical instruments and readily follow the instructions to play loudly, quietly, slowly, quickly and stop. These activities support children's listening and attention skills as they develop an understanding of rhythm and rhyme. n Children enjoy accessing books inside and outdoors. Staff introduce focus stories, which they read regularly to help children revisit learning and develop their recall skills. They plan activities, such as yoga sessions, to support the telling of specific stories. For example, staff encourage children to move their bodies in a variety of ways to represent the animals in a story. Children develop good concentration skills and perseverance as they join in and remain focused.

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need to do better?

n Overall, staff interact well with children and help them build on their skills as they progress through the different rooms. For example, younger children learn to use cutlery, and older children pour themselves drinks at mealtimes. However,

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need to do better?

23 May 2025 on occasion, staff do not adapt their teaching precisely enough for the age and abilities of children present to encourage children to think further and deepen their knowledge. n Leaders and staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) extremely well. They identify gaps in learning and the next steps through assessments and discussions with parents. Staff make timely referrals and are committed to collaborating with parents and other professionals to ensure that children receive targeted support. This helps children with SEND to receive the support they need at the earliest opportunity. n Partnerships with parents are a key strength of this nursery. Leaders and staff support parents and communicate with them extremely well. For example, staff share information in a variety of ways, including daily conversations and weekly photo updates. Parents also receive regular information about children's

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need to do better?

development through an online system. This keeps them well informed regarding their child's learning and next steps, which are incorporated into the upcoming weekly theme. n Staff place a strong emphasis on children's healthy lifestyles and promote their well-being. For example, younger children rest and sleep outdoors, weather permitting. Staff settle them on sleep mats and in cots under the trees in the summer. This practice enables children to connect to nature and supports their overall health and sense of well-being. The meals provided are healthy. Children enjoy nutritious lunches with barely any waste. Staff encourage children to clean their teeth daily. As a result, staff are encouraging children to develop healthy habits for later life. n Leaders offer strong support to staff, both personally and professionally, and staff state they greatly appreciate this. Staff have access to regular training,

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need to do better?

which supports them in their roles and responsibilities. Leaders complete regular supervision and team meetings with staff. As a result, staff morale is high.

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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 strengthen staff skills in adapting teaching to continually build on what children know, understand and can do to maximise their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2786687 Local authority Nottinghamshire County Council Inspection number 10404333 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 36 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person Little Toes Day Nursery North Muskham LTD

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reference number

Telephone number 01636676566 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Toes Day Nursery registered in 2024. It is situated in North Muskham, Newark. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, one hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 5, four hold qualifications at level 3 and three hold qualifications at level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6:30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 Children spoke to 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 special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

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

23 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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