Little Adventures Nursery (Dudley)

Inspection of Little Adventures Nursery (Dudley) 174 Stourbridge Road, Dudley DY1 2ER

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Significant improvements have been made since the last inspection. Leaders have taken appropriate action to improve the security of the premises. Magnetic locking systems added to external doors help to prevent children accessing garden areas unsupervised. Staff deploy themselves effectively to ensure children are adequately supervised at all times. A new management structure has strengthened the oversight leaders have of staff practice. Effective training and coaching for staff has improved the overall quality of the care and education children receive.

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The provision is good

Children arrive happily at this welcoming nursery. Staff greet families warmly and help children to settle quickly into the routines of the day. Staff have a genuine interest in children's contributions, and they engage enthusiastically with them. Nurturing staff provide a secure, comforting environment for babies. Individualised settling-in processes help families to build trusting relationships between home and the nursery. The calm, relaxed atmosphere promotes positive emotional development, helping babies to build strong attachments to their key persons. Staff encourage older children to express themselves, listen to one another and develop respectful relationships with their peers. Staff consistently model positive behaviour, which prepares children well for their next stage in education.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have responded well to feedback and the actions set at the last inspection. There is a sequenced and varied curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do. However, this is not yet embedded into all staff's practice. Some staff do not implement effective planning that considers the children's individual needs and interests. What they want children to learn next tends to focus on activities. This affects the overall success at which the curriculum is taught. n Children demonstrate an eagerness to learn. They concentrate on activities for a long time. There are some inconsistencies in the quality of staff's interactions with children. There are some staff that are confident and knowledgeable in how they can extend children's knowledge. For example, they ask open-ended questions and pause for children to critically think about their response. However, this is not seen consistently across the whole staff team. As a result,

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need to do better?

sometimes, children are not challenged enough to make the progress they are capable of. n Leaders complete regular supervisions and observations of staff practice. They can accurately assess the quality of staff's teaching and offer constructive feedback. Staff say their well-being is a priority. Leaders provide incentives and recognition of staff's hard work with treat days and celebrations. As a result, there is a happy team that feels valued and works well together.

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need to do better?

6 August 2025 n Improvements have been made in how staff manage behaviour. Staff implement consistent messages that support children to understand how and why to behave well. Staff gently encourage children to listen and follow rules and boundaries, such as helping to tidy up. Children kindly tuck in their chairs as they get up from the table. Staff support children to resolve minor conflicts with their friends and share resources. This helps children to develop friendships and positive attitudes towards learning. n Children enjoy healthy, freshly prepared meals and snacks. All dietary requirements are accounted for, and allergy management procedures are secure. Staff promote regular hydration, and children have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day. They follow hygienic routines and always wash their hands before eating food. Staff are attentive to sun safety and check the UV ratings before children go outside. All children apply sun cream before going to

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need to do better?

play in the garden. This promotes the good health of children. n Leaders understand the diverse community they serve. They ensure that they offer all children access to rich and exciting experiences, such as sports activity programmes. Flexible sessions are available for parents who work at the nearby hospital. This inclusive environment builds strong connections with the local community. n Staff sing and use actions to entertain children and support their early language. They talk slowly and clearly so that children can repeat new words. Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well. They use signs like 'more' to help children's understanding. Staff work closely with other professionals to get the ongoing support children might need.

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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 support staff with planning and implementing the rich and varied curriculum, so that it is focuses on the individual needs and interests of children n continue to monitor staff teaching practice and offer support so that all staff confidently extend and challenge children's learning to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2736515 Local authority Dudley Inspection number 10410876 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 95 Number of children on roll 100 Name of registered person Ocean Adventurers Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01384 262 155 Date of previous inspection 17 March 2025

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Information about this early years setting

Little Adventures Nursery (Dudley) registered in 2023. The nursery opens from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The nursery employs 16 members of staff, 14 of whom are qualified from level 2 to level 6. The nursery offers the government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged 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 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 Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND.

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Inspection activities

6 August 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 August 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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