The Lighthouse Day Care Nursery

Inspection of The Lighthouse Day Care Nursery 8 Warwick New Road, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5JF

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Staff create a well-resourced and thoughtfully organised environment where children feel safe and secure. Children settle quickly, show happiness and confidence, and build warm, caring relationships with staff, who know them extremely well. Staff engage positively throughout the day, helping children feel valued and supported.

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The provision is good

Staff provide a broad range of experiences that spark curiosity. They place a strong emphasis on learning through core songs and books across the nursery. In the 'Cubs' room, staff weave music and stories into daily routines as babies sing, share books and explore instruments. In the 'Tigers' room, children thrive indoors and outdoors, showing excitement as they dig in the mud kitchen, pour water and experiment with sand. Playschool children grow in confidence and independence as they manage toileting, serve snacks and explore construction, drawing and small- world play. In pre-school, children extend their creativity through art, craft and water play, while developing communication and language skills that prepare them well for the next stage of learning.

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The provision is good

Children celebrate their achievements proudly and share success with friends. They cooperate well, follow the nursery's 'golden rules' and respond positively to staff's expectations. Staff manage behaviour calmly and consistently, which helps children feel secure in daily routines.

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The provision is good

Staff assess progress carefully, plan next steps and provide tailored support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) through targeted plans led by designated leaders. Parents praise the nursery's 'homely feel', effective communication and the good progress their children make. Staff manage care routines flexibly, and children benefit from nutritious, home-cooked meals.

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need to do better?

n Staff create a calm and nurturing environment where they build secure, trusting relationships with children. Babies follow familiar routines that help them feel safe, such as washing hands before snack and snuggling with staff to share books and songs. n As children move through the nursery, they gain confidence and independence. Older children take responsibility for small tasks. Playschool children proudly serve their own food, spreading hummus on crackers, and manage toileting independently. n Staff promote positive behaviour and set high expectations. Children follow the nursery's 'golden rules' and show kindness, cooperation and respect for each other. Staff respond calmly and consistently to minor disagreements, helping

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need to do better?

8 September 2025 children regulate their emotions and learn to solve problems. n Staff design a broad and well-thought-out curriculum. They use core books, songs and rhymes across the nursery to provide consistency and spark a love of language. They skilfully model new vocabulary and encourage children to talk, listen and take turns in conversations. n Children benefit from a wide range of physical and creative activities indoors and outdoors. Pre-school children also take part in structured group work that supports listening and attention skills, helping to prepare them for school. However, staff do not consistently adapt large-group activities to meet all children's needs, which means some lose focus and that their learning is not extended. n Staff know children well. They use the new planning system well, overall, to observe learning and identify next steps. They adapt activities to children's interests and abilities, which supports progress across the curriculum. Staff

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need to do better?

provide targeted support for children with SEND. Leaders implement individualised plans effectively and work with staff, parents and external agencies to ensure that children access the help they need. n Leaders show ambition and passion for the nursery's development. They have introduced positive changes, such as new planning and monitoring systems, which are beginning to improve practice. Staff speak positively about their roles and feel supported. n Parents praise the nursery. They value the homely feel, the nutritious home- cooked meals and the good progress their children make, particularly in communication and language. n Leaders monitor practice, but not all systems are fully embedded. Some staff remain unsure about the new planning approach, which reduces opportunities to share good practice and deliver consistently high-quality teaching. Leaders have begun to strengthen monitoring, training and communication, but these actions

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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 embed the new planning approach so whole-group activities are consistently designed and delivered to motivate children and extend their learning n strengthen consistency in teaching across the provision, enabling the sharing of excellent practice and raising quality even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY349272 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10413641 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 49 Number of children on roll 64 Name of registered person The Lighthouse Childrens Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01926 427048 Date of previous inspection 26 February 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The Lighthouse Day Nursery registered in 2007. It operates from premises in the centre of Leamington Spa. The nursery opens all year round, from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The provider employs 14 members of childcare staff, of whom 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications, ranging from level 2 to level 6. This includes the manager, who holds early years professional status.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of a small-group activity. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual/registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

8 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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