Little Petals Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Petals Day Nursery Occasions, 23c Wood Lane, Sonning Common, Reading RG4 9SJ

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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

Although leaders have a clear vision for what they want children to achieve, there are inconsistencies in how the curriculum is delivered. In particular, the support for children's communication and language is not fully effective, and interactions with children do not always meet their developing needs. At these times, children are not well enough supported to make the progress they are capable of.

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The provision requires improvement

Despite these weaknesses, children are happy and settled. They arrive excited for their day at this setting. They confidently separate from their parents as they are welcomed by the friendly staff. Information gathered from parents means that staff know the children and their needs well. As a result, children feel safe and secure. They seek staff out when they need comfort or reassurance.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff support children well to develop their physical skills. Children excitedly explore the activities available to them in the garden. They pour water from one container to another and laugh as they splash themselves while they play. Staff plan activities to support children's individual needs. For example, children new to walking use push-along toys and show pride as they are praised by staff when they take some steps. Staff support children as they use stepping stones to practise their developing balance skills.

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need to do better?

n The passionate leaders have identified weaknesses in practice. They have a clear plan to improve these areas. However, not all the improvements are embedded enough to have the intended impact. Children do not always benefit from the intended learning from activities due to lack of precision in the planning and inconsistencies in staff interactions. At times, staff do not plan activities or experiences that challenge children. This does not fully support children to build on what they already know and can do and move forward in their learning. n The delivery of support for children's communication and language is not consistent. There are some opportunities for children to hear new words, and some staff repeat words to children and encourage them to repeat these. Picture cards have been introduced to support children's understanding of what is happening next. However, some staff lack confidence in interacting with children

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need to do better?

and building on their language skills. On occasion, there is little conversation during activities. This does not support children to develop confident communication skills. n Overall, independence is supported well. However, at times, staff are quick to complete tasks for children. For example, during snack time, children are provided with the opportunity to cut their own fruit. However, when children struggle with this, staff are quick to complete the task for them. This means

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need to do better?

6 June 2025 that, at these times, children are not able to develop skills that would support their developing independence. n Children's personal, social and emotional development is supported well. Staff have clear expectations for children's behaviour. They provide children with gentle reminders about sharing and encourage turn-taking. If children struggle to manage their emotions, staff talk calmly to them and use effective distraction techniques. n Staff support children to develop large and fine motor skills. Children skilfully ride bikes and help their friends by pushing them along. Children enjoy using crayons to draw pictures, and staff talk to them about what colours they are using. This supports children's hand-eye coordination and future writing skills. n Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is good. Effective assessments of children mean that delays are recognised, and referrals

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need to do better?

are made to ensure children, and their families, receive the help and support they need in the quickest time possible. Staff work closely with other agencies and use recommendations and advice to help children make progress. n Parents speak positively about the staff and care provided for their children. They express that their children enjoy attending and staff know them well. Staff provide parents with regular feedback and support when needed. n Leaders have recently reviewed policies and procedures to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the action to take should there be a concern about a child or an adult. They have improved knowledge on the agencies to refer concerns to and the time frames these need to be completed by. n Staff say they feel supported and are provided with opportunities to progress in their careers. Leaders support staff to complete training, and they have regular one-to-one meetings that provide opportunities for staff to discuss their ongoing

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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

6 June 2025 develop teaching skills further to ensure staff understand what they want children to learn and make the most of all opportunities to extend children's learning 20/06/2025

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Due date

improve staff's support for children's communication and language skills. 20/06/2025

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should:

n guide staff to consider ways to further develop children's independence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2821775 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10404253 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 29 Number of children on roll 9 Name of registered person Hustings, Tracey

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reference number

Telephone number 07809690819 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Petals Day Nursery registered in 2025 and is located in Sonning Common, Reading. The nursery is open for most of the year from 7.30am until 6pm Monday to Friday. The nursery employs three members of staff. Of these, two hold relevant level 3 childcare qualifications. The nursery provides funded early education places for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 Parents and grandparents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

6 June 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.

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Inspection activities

6 June 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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