Little Seeds Playgroup and Preschool ltd

Inspection of Little Seeds Playgroup and Preschool ltd Ponteland memorial hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 9NX

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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

Leaders are thoroughly committed to the improvement of this setting. Following the last inspection, there has been a robust response to implementing the required changes. Leaders continue to monitor and evaluate the quality of all aspects of the nursery provision, including through effective staff supervision. As a result of rapid improvements to staff training and curriculum development, children are thriving in this nursery.

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The provision is good

The ambitious curriculum is designed to support children of all ages and developmental stages to make good progress in their learning and development. Assessment strategies are effective, and staff have a secure understanding of how to help each child in the nursery to progress. Staff are aware of the individual needs of every child. This means all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are supported to succeed.

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The provision is good

The setting engages with parents as partners in children's learning. Parents describe staff as nurturing and praise the positive relationships they build with their children. Parents note that these secure relationships have greatly supported the progress their children make in the nursery. Staff have implemented clear transitional routines throughout the nursery day and support children in understanding these. Children are very familiar with these routines and, as a result, they participate happily and demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum supports staff to deliver a broad range of learning opportunities for children. For instance, children's personal, social and emotional skills and knowledge of the world are supported through regular visits to a care home for the elderly. This develops children's understanding of interacting in different social situations and encourages positive engagement with others in their local community. n Stories, songs and rhymes are of high quality and carefully planned for. Books are chosen to support the curriculum. For instance, in the autumn term, books are chosen to support children in understanding relevant emotions, such as the feelings that may arise when starting nursery for the first time. n Staff lead group learning times well. They ensure activities are simulating and relevant to children. As a result, children are highly engaged and focussed during these activities. For instance, children are enraptured when joining in with

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need to do better?

a stimulating singing session. n Staff are keenly aware of the planned vocabulary that they are supporting children to learn. Staff use these words regularly during their interactions and, as a result, children learn the meaning of new words. However, staff's

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need to do better?

25 September 2025 enthusiasm for modelling language means that, at times, young children are not given enough time to listen, process and respond. This limits the extent to which children practise their spoken language. n The key-person arrangements are effective. Staff know their key children well and have developed communicative and supportive relationships with children's families. Staff plan next steps for children with care and precision. This means they keep children's progress on track and take swift action if they notice a child is not making progress as expected. n Children are supported to develop key personal skills. For instance, they learn to wash their hands independently before mealtimes. Staff promote skills in table manners and teach children how to be safe when eating, such as by staying seated at the table until they have finished. Children learn the names of their peers through singing hello and goodbye songs at the start and end of each

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need to do better?

session, which helps to develop social skills and friendships. n Staff promote positive behaviours in the nursery. They provide specific praise, which helps children to understand what it is they have done well. For instance, children are informed, 'You are waiting so patiently, I am so impressed.' This encourages children to repeat and develop these good behaviours further. n Children with SEND benefit from clear support plans, and staff understand and implement these well. For example, staff plan appropriate activities that are closely matched to children's next steps. Those responsible for supporting children with SEND maintain clear oversight of their progress. They ensure that parents and, when relevant, outside agencies, are involved in the journey of support for their children. Children with SEND are making progress.

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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 further extend communication and language strategies so that toddlers have every opportunity to practise their early communication skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2738654 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10416709 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Little Seeds Playgroup and Preschool ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07712220401 Date of previous inspection 12 June 2025

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Information about this early years setting

Little Seeds Playgroup and Preschool ltd registered in 2023. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff. Seven staff hold appropriate early years qualifications, including staff with qualified teacher status. The setting is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, term time only, and from 9am to 3pm during summer holidays. The provider receives funding to provide early education for eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The deputy manager, 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 Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual/registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 observed the interactions between staff and children. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during snack time.

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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

25 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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