Little Pumpkins Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Little Pumpkins Nursery Ltd 88 Woodyates Road, London SE12 9JH

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 Outstanding

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Staff greet children warmly, and they settle to play happily on arrival. Children feel settled and are confident to go and seek comfort from familiar staff. Staff get to know children well and provide a curriculum that helps children make steady progress overall. Leaders have a clear vision for what it is they want their provision to look like. They are committed to improvement and have taken positive steps since the last visit to the nursery.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

The nursery places value on children's independence and confidence. Younger children are able to explore their new learning environment, and older children are encouraged to undertake tasks independently.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Some strengths are evident in the environment and relationships with the children. However, weaknesses in staff deployment and supervision impact the consistency of care and learning across the nursery. Teaching is variable and, at times, staff do not organise planned activities as well as possible to fully engage children's participation and help them make better progress.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children engage in opportunities for exploratory play, storytelling and early mathematics. However, staff interactions and responsiveness limit the learning opportunities for children, especially the older ones. Older children often wander around and look for what they can do. After a while, they end up running around aimlessly with limited adult interaction. At times, this leads to a chaotic learning environment.

p.2

need to do better?

n Several staffing challenges have impacted on the quality of the provision. A new development plan to address some areas of concern is in its infancy. There is a level of supervision and monitoring in place. However, this has not been effective in identifying and addressing weaker aspects of practice swiftly. Consequently, children do not experience the benefits of consistently effective interactions across the provision. n Despite inconsistencies in teaching, staff make the most of spontaneous opportunities to extend learning. For example, they encourage children to look at the shapes they make while they build. Weaknesses in staff deployment mean that there are times where some children lack engagement in their play. For example, older children choose magnifying glasses to pretend to be, and look for, dinosaurs, which soon ends in them running around without purpose. Staff are unable to provide children with the quality interactions they need. This

p.2

need to do better?

means that children are inconsistently supported in making progress. n Leaders have a curriculum intent in place. However, it is not always ambitious

p.2

need to do better?

13 June 2025 and is not always implemented effectively. Staff plan activities that support children's interests. However, they do not always provide children with activities that build concisely on what children know and can do. As a result, children spend much of their time in familiar, manageable play that provides little excitement and curiosity. This leads to some children becoming disengaged. n Staff provide activities that support children's physical development and good health. Babies are able to practise their climbing skills when using a slide and enjoy exploring different textures with their hands. Older children have opportunities to measure and pour water from different containers. Children have access to the outdoors on a daily basis. n Staff support younger children to develop an understanding about right and wrong. Older children independently go and put their shoes on when they know they need to get ready for the garden. However, irregularity in staff's teaching

p.2

need to do better?

leads to children not being able to focus for a sustained period of time. This hinders children's enthusiasm for learning. n Parents comment that their children settle well and have made progress since they started. Parents know who their children's key persons are and can talk to them if they have any concerns. Staff share daily updates, using technology or brief chats at the end of the day. This supports parent partnership and learning outcomes for children.

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

implement effective leadership oversight of daily practice, ensuring that all staff get the targeted support, coaching and training needed to help them to build on their knowledge and skills 31/07/2025

p.3

Due date

improve the effectiveness of practitioners' deployment so that children consistently benefit from purposeful activities and positive interaction and support 31/07/2025

p.3

Due date

13 June 2025 develop and implement a curriculum that is balanced and ambitious for all children 31/07/2025

p.3

Due date

provide children with effective routines and meaningful learning experiences that build on their existing skills and knowledge and encourage children's participation and enthusiasm. 31/07/2025

p.4

should:

n continue to effectively evaluate and assess the quality of the provision to identify and address any weaknesses in a timely manner.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY316353 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10403456 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Little Pumpkins Nursery Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 02088512400 Date of previous inspection 5 April 2023

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Little Pumpkins Nursery Ltd registered in 2006. The nursery is located in Lee, in the London Borough of Lewisham. It opens each weekday, from 7.45am to 6.15pm, for 51 weeks of the year. There are seven members of staff working with the children, three of whom have early years qualifications. Three members of staff are working towards gaining qualifications. The nursery also employs a cook. The nursery receives funding for early years education.

p.5

Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n Leaders joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children, during a range of planned and spontaneous play, and assessed the impact these were having on children's learning. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Leaders and the inspector completed a joint observation. Together, they evaluated the quality of teaching observed. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector sampled a range of required documentation, including children's records, staff suitability checks and qualifications.

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

13 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