Little Munchkins

Inspection of Little Munchkins Springfield Hotel, 67 The Avenue, FAREHAM, Hampshire PO14 1PE

p.1

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 Inadequate

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children are happy and settled at this nursery. Friendly staff are on hand to personally greet children as they arrive and support them to put away their belongings ready to start their day. Children of various ages have positive bonds with their key person as well as other staff and show they feel relaxed within the environment.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children have access to the continuous provision, which offers familiar play experiences that, overall, children enjoy. They self-select toys and enjoy imaginative play with friends. Leaders recognise their educational programmes are not yet fully established, and that they are still in the initial stages of reviewing and implementing a new curriculum. The learning aims for children are broad, and not precisely planned to support children to build on what they already know and can do. There is a focus on children to be independent and feeling happy and safe in the nursery. Beyond this, learning is incidental as staff are not clear on what they want children to learn, or why they are doing activities with children. This hinders children's engagement in activities as they are not sufficiently stimulated to immerse themselves in purposeful play and learning.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Despite this, staff are positive role models and encourage children to behave well. Staff support children to resolve any minor conflicts quickly and calmly. This supports children's understanding of behavioural expectations as they begin to learn about their and others' growing emotions.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders have taken some positive steps since the last inspection. For instance, they have ensured all staff, including those with lead responsibility for safeguarding, have a strong and robust knowledge of child protection. All staff are clear on internal and external reporting processes. They are extremely clear on their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe in line with local partnership guidelines. n The new curriculum is still in its infancy at this nursery. Leaders and staff are beginning to take steps to review and implement an ambitious and well- balanced curriculum. Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), still do not have access to learning that is well planned or sequenced. This does not meet their individual needs or build on skills they have already learned. This does not provide children with the opportunity to develop secure foundations for future learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff provide a range of opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. For instance, children manoeuvre their whole bodies, such as when running, jumping and squatting. This supports their core muscle development. In

p.2

need to do better?

24 June 2025 addition, children have opportunities to develop their fine manipulative skills alongside their hand-eye coordination. For instance, they enjoy filling and emptying containers and carefully pushing small pegs into peg boards. Older children enjoy mark making and start to explore early letter formation. These experiences prepare children for early writing skills. n Children are well supported with opportunities to develop their early independence. For instance, children self-select their own toys and pour their own drinks at snack times. Staff provide encouragement and praise as children keep trying when something challenges them. For instance, staff model a 'pinch and pull' technique as children persist at opening packets during lunchtime. This supports children to become resilient. n Staff recognise the importance of supporting children's communication and language skills. However, leaders have not ensured staff are supported to gain

p.2

need to do better?

the skills they need to consistently provide high-quality interactions that ensure they fully promote and build on children's communication skills. For instance, staff responses to children are often basic and at times the interactions children receive are limited. This restricts children's ability to develop conversational skills and does not always provide opportunities to challenge and extend children's language development, ideas or thinking processes. Ultimately, this impacts on the progress children can make in order to become confident communicators. n Leaders have effective arrangements in place to identify and seek appropriate intervention for children with SEND. They understand the importance of partnership working with parents and other professionals to support continuity of care. n Staff support children to embed positive hygiene routines within the nursery day. For instance, staff support children to wash their hands before mealtimes and

p.3

need to do better?

after using the toilet. They remind children why this is important. This supports children to understand how to keep themselves healthy.

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

Due date

24 June 2025 improve staff's understanding of how to plan and deliver an ambitious curriculum that precisely builds on all children's existing knowledge, skills and capabilities, to fully engage them in their individual learning 25/07/2025

p.3

Due date

take action to ensure staff provide high- quality interactions that consistently and securely promote children's communication and language development. 25/07/2025

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY392543 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10397399 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person Little Munchkins Partnership

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01329230681 Date of previous inspection 4 February 2025

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Little Munchkins registered in 2009. It is located in Fareham, Hampshire. It is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4pm, term time only. The nursery provides early education funding for children aged nine months to four years. There are currently six members of staff working with the children, all of whom hold a relevant early years qualification.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Children communicated with the inspector. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The deputy manager and inspector carried out a joint observation during a planned activity. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

24 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.

p.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7