Little Gems Aldershot

Inspection of Little Gems Aldershot R C C G Winners Place, 61-63 North Lane, Aldershot GU12 4QF

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Weaknesses in leadership and management impact on children's safety and well- being. Leaders' oversight of the provision is ineffective. They do not do enough to ensure the overall safety of the environment, indoors and outdoors, such as when parents drop off their children to the setting for their afternoon sessions. This is a breach of children's safety and welfare.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff practice across the setting is inconsistent. Pre-school children benefit from activities that link to the intended curriculum and that support their social skills and communication. In contrast, planning for younger children lacks structure, and children are not interested in the activities on offer. This leads to unwanted behaviour. Additionally, staff do not apply effective strategies to teach younger children about acceptable behaviour or consistently teach hygiene routines with children of all ages.

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The provision is inadequate

The provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is inadequate. These children do not benefit from appropriately planned, meaningful activities to help them progress. Furthermore, staff's expectations for children's behaviour vary in each room. While pre-school staff reinforce clear boundaries, toddlers either do not receive support or experience inconsistent guidance from staff, which negatively affects their behaviour and attitudes to learning.

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The provision is inadequate

Children do not benefit from an effective key-person system. For example, staff do not always acknowledge or act on parents' concerns around their children's overall happiness. This highlights weaknesses in how key persons tailor their practice to support children's emotional and developmental needs.

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need to do better?

n The provider and leaders lack a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities under the early years statutory requirements. As a result, the quality of care and education is significantly compromised, particularly for younger children and those with SEND. These children do not make the progress they are capable of. n Leaders do not always follow effective safeguarding procedures to ensure children are protected in the setting at all times. They have not carefully considered the use of CCTV at the setting. Leaders do not know who has access to the live CCTV footage, including in nappy changing areas. This is a serious breach of children's privacy, safety and welfare. n Although leaders have risk assessments in place, such as during drop-off times, they do not always make sure that safety procedures are consistently followed in

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need to do better?

27 June 2025 practice. This lack of oversight does not adequately ensure the welfare and safety of children. n Support for children with SEND is ineffective. While staff recognise where children show delays in their development, leaders do not ensure that assessments and referrals to relevant agencies are timely or prioritised. There is a lack of individualised planning to help address children's gaps in learning and development. Consequently, children with SEND receive inconsistent support, which limits their progress. n There are inconsistencies in staff's understanding of the curriculum. Some are unclear how to link planning to their teaching in a coherent and sequenced way that supports children's ongoing progress. This is particularly evident for toddlers, who do not benefit from a well-thought-out curriculum that has a clear structure and intent. A wide range of activities are provided, but do not

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need to do better?

consistently reflect the interests, needs or abilities of children. As a result, the learning environment appears cluttered and overwhelming. This leads to children becoming disengaged and, at times, they display inappropriate behaviour. n Staff do not provide the consistent support that children need to develop good personal hygiene habits to promote their sustained physical well-being. For instance, they are not consistent in their approach to teaching children the importance of handwashing before they eat or after using the toilet. n Children have a designated key person. However, not all key persons fully understand their role in working with parents to provide a coordinated approach, for example when children may feel upset or anxious. This does not fully support children's emotional well-being effectively. n Despite the weaknesses, there are some positive aspects. All children enjoy playing outdoors in the fresh air. For example, they use water spray bottles to

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need to do better?

make marks on a large cloth. Older children turn this into a game where others run past to see how wet they get. Staff add challenge by asking children to step back further. Children respond with joy and enthusiasm. This demonstrates the potential for children experiencing engaging opportunities when staff are responsive and purposeful in their interactions.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

27 June 2025 ensure that all leaders receive the support and mentoring that they need to fully understand their roles and responsibilities 18/07/2025

p.3

Due date

implement and monitor safeguarding policies robustly, particularly in regard to the use and access of CCTV 18/07/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that identified safety procedures are implemented consistently in practice to minimise risks to children 18/07/2025

p.4

Due date

establish effective arrangements to support children with SEND, including making timely assessments and referrals to relevant professionals 18/07/2025

p.4

Due date

embed consistent care and hygiene routines across the setting, particularly before mealtimes, to support children's health and well-being 18/07/2025

p.4

Due date

implement effective key-person arrangements to build strong partnerships with parents and support each child's emotional development 18/07/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that the curriculum reflects the individual needs, interests and development of each child and that staff plan challenging and enjoyable experiences to motivate children to learn. 18/07/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2830496 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10410498 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Little Gems Aldershot ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07721750249 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Gems Aldershot re-registered in 2025. It is based in a church hall, in Aldershot, Hampshire. The setting operates Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm, during term time only. It employs eight staff members, of whom seven hold relevant childcare qualifications from level 3 to level 7. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two years.

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Inspection activities

n The manager explained how they organise their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years curriculum. n Children spoke with 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 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 and the manager carried out a joint observation of interactions between staff and the children. n Parents and carers shared their verbal and written views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff to work with children.

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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

27 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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