Little Footsteps of Dereham

Inspection of Little Footsteps of Dereham 15a Norwich Road, DEREHAM, Norfolk NR20 3AE

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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

Staff ensure that children are warmly greeted on arrival at the nursery. They support children's sense of belonging and provide children with nurturing interactions. Babies and children demonstrate that they have formed reassuring attachments with staff. They show they feel safe and secure as they happily explore the activities on offer.

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The provision is good

Songs and rhymes are an integral part of the daily routine and are used well to support children's communication and language development. Babies benefit from regular exposure to repetitive rhymes that help them to develop early listening and attention skills. They respond with smiles, gestures and vocalisations, showing clear enjoyment and engagement. Toddlers enthusiastically participate in familiar action songs, using props to help them to choose the next song to sing.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from plentiful and purposeful opportunities to learn outdoors. Staff ensure the outdoor environment is well resourced and thoughtfully organised to support all areas of learning, particularly physical development, exploration and imaginative play. Children confidently engage in activities that promote their independence and curiosity. They dig in the sand and experiment with water, splashing with their hands and jumping in puddles. Children fill and empty containers in the large outdoor mud kitchen areas. With staff's support, children carefully balance along wooden blocks.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are committed to providing high-quality care and education. They continually reflect on the provision and demonstrate a strong capacity for ongoing improvement. Leaders spend time in the rooms and regularly monitor staff practice. They prioritise staff well-being and provide targeted coaching, training and support. Staff morale is good, and there is a strong sense of teamwork across the nursery. n The provider previously notified Ofsted about a significant event. This means that the provider has met their legal responsibility to notify Ofsted of such events. The inspector discussed this with leaders during the inspection, and appropriate action has been taken. There is clear and consistent understanding of risk assessments to ensure children's safety. Leaders and staff respond promptly to any emerging risks. n Leaders create a welcoming and inclusive nursery. They demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting children with special educational needs and/or

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need to do better?

disabilities (SEND). Staff work closely with other professionals to ensure they continue to meet children's specific needs. Targeted use of additional funding ensures children with SEND access tailored support to ensure that they make

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need to do better?

11 June 2025 good progress. n Partnership with parents are strong. Staff make purposeful use of drop-off and collection times to exchange important information about the children. They actively involve parents in their children's development and learning needs to create consistency between home and nursery, which supports children's ongoing progress and well-being. Parents speak highly of the staff team, expressing appreciation for the support they receive. They say they feel well informed about their child's development and value the regular updates provided. n Transitions into the nursery, between rooms and on to school are managed well. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that they can meet their child's individual needs. They provide children with opportunities to become familiar with their new environment and to build relationships with their key person. Staff liaise with school staff when children are preparing for their move on to

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need to do better?

school. n Staff are attentive to children's care routines. They comfort babies when they are unsettled, offering plenty of cuddles and reassurance. Children enjoy a varied menu of freshly prepared meals. This is carefully planned to take account of children's individual dietary needs, preferences and any allergies they may have. n Leaders articulate a clear and ambitious vision to promote children's early literacy and nurture a love of reading. Children across all age groups confidently choose books for themselves. Babies show delight as staff encourage them to lift flaps to reveal images, while older children enjoy recalling familiar characters when staff pose questions about the story. Staff in each room plan learning experiences linked to a carefully chosen 'book of the month', which children enthusiastically participate in. However, there are occasions when staff do not ensure that they promote conversations with the children so that they fully

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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 support staff to promote more frequent and meaningful discussions with children about their learning to check children's understanding and comprehension of what is being taught.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440629 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10396769 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 94 Number of children on roll 150 Name of registered person Little Footsteps of Dereham Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01362693937 Date of previous inspection 14 June 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Little Footsteps of Dereham registered in 2011. It is situated in Dereham in Norfolk. The nursery employs 27 members of childcare staff. Of these, 24 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including three who hold early years professional status, early years teacher status or qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery offers government-funded places for all eligible 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 and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed how they organise their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their curriculum. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector during discussion and written feedback, and the inspector took account of these views. n The provider and the inspector jointly observed and evaluated a group activity. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The provider, manager and the inspector held a meeting together. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of

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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

11 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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