Little Learners Lawefield

Inspection of Little Learners Lawefield Lawefield Primary School, Lawefield Lane, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF2 8ST

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children arrive happily and are greeted by friendly staff. They have a routine and know what to expect. They take off coats and change into their indoor shoes as they arrive. As a result, children feel safe and are ready to play and learn. Staff create a calm learning environment where children can be heard. Staff are well organised so that children can access a range of activities and resources. Children make choices and staff sit low among children so that they are available to support them. As a result, children settle easily.

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The provision is good

The key-person system is strong, and staff know children well. Staff follow children's interests, monitor their progress and record clear next steps in learning for each child. Learning is planned through key themes and stories. Children learn about their feelings and emotions. Children enjoy focused small-group activities to promote concentration and language. They listen carefully to sounds and clues, take turns and make connections. Children are confident and playful and are making excellent progress. Staff use key stories to promote a love of reading and books. They ask genuine questions such as 'what makes you happy' to promote children's thinking. Children feel safe and eagerly share their ideas and feelings.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy lots of opportunities for outdoor play and to explore the natural environment. Staff are playful, inspire children and supervise them closely as they run, climb, explore and hug trees. Children feel valued and have a sense of belonging. Staff play alongside younger children in the sand as they settle. Staff's interactions are authentic so that children are engaged and interested as they play and learn.

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need to do better?

n Leaders understand the context of this multi-cultural setting, and this informs the curriculum. The curriculum is sequenced and adapted to meet the needs of each child. Staff use picture cards and key words in children's home languages to support their understanding and development. Some staff speak Urdu and Punjabi. They help to translate with parents and link to children's home language so that children feel valued and included. n Staff promote healthy lifestyles and are good role models. They sit with children as they eat so that mealtimes are calm and sociable events. Leaders share information with parents so that lunch boxes are nutritious. Children learn to pour water and they develop their independence. n Staff plan a wide range of activities for children to enjoy. However, on a few occasions, activities are prescriptive and have an expected outcome, such as a handprint. Consequently, children wait for instructions and do not have every

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need to do better?

opportunity to explore creatively and express their own ideas.

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need to do better?

5 September 2025 n On the whole, staff interact with children well. They get down to children's level so that children can hear. However, on a few occasions, staff speak quickly and offer support before children have had time to process information and respond in their own words. n Staff promote independence and children try to do things for themselves, for example putting on coats. However, on occasion, staff are eager to help and do things for children that they could be learning to do for themselves. n Leaders evaluate practice and identify areas for development. They spend additional funding carefully to support the youngest children and those with English as an additional language and special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For example, staff provide sensory resources and improvements to the outdoor provision so that children have access to calming activities and natural environments.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak highly of the setting. They say that children are happy and settled and are making good progress from their starting points. Parents say that leaders communicate well and adapt to meet the needs of individual children, particularly those with SEND. Parents appreciate that leaders access support from other professionals for children, create support plans and attend meetings. n Leaders have built excellent relationships with other professionals and with the local school so that they can support children, meaning transitions to school are smooth. n Leaders know staff well and prioritise their well-being. Staff say that they enjoy their work and feel valued and supported. There is an open-door policy so that information and concerns can be shared freely.

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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 improve the planning of activities to reduce waiting times and ensure that children have more opportunities to develop meaningful creative skills n support staff to monitor the pace of interactions so that children have more time to listen, process information and respond n give children even more opportunities to develop independence in routine activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY542862 Local authority Wakefield Inspection number 10381315 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 40 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Butterfield, Nicola Michelle

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reference number

Telephone number 01924609330 Date of previous inspection 9 December 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Little Learners Lawefield registered in 2016. The nursery is owned and managed by a private provider. It employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold relevant qualifications at level 2, three are at level 3 and one is at level 6. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7am to 5pm, during term time. The provider offers government funded childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children. The provider offers wraparound care for children who attend Lawefield Primary School.

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Inspection activities

n Managers showed the inspector the areas used by the nursery and explained the curriculum and how the provision is organised. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the managers and staff. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. n The inspector observed interactions between children and adults. n The manager and inspector participated in a joint observation of staff. n The inspector observed planned activities and play both inside and outside. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

5 September 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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