Little Sunlights

Inspection of Little Sunlights The Romsey School, Greatbridge, Romsey SO51 8ZB

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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

Leaders have made good improvements to the nursery since the last inspection. Children arrive happily and separate from their parents with ease. They feel safe and secure as they explore the nursery environment. Caring staff form strong relationships with children and are attentive to their needs.

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The provision is good

Skilled staff use every opportunity to extend children's learning. For example, during outdoor sand play, staff share a book about diggers as children play with the vehicles. They impart information about how the diggers work. In addition, when children discover a ladybird, staff talk about the ladybird's wings and how they can fly. This helps to develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world.

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The provision is good

Staff support children's communication and language development well. For example, toddlers enjoy playing with the baby dolls in the water. Staff use this opportunity to introduce new language, such as 'splash', as the toddlers wash the dolls. Older children listen to stories with interest in the cosy corners and tents. Staff encourage children to take part, using puppets. This helps children to become confident communicators. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress in their learning.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. They implement 'golden rules' such as 'walking feet' and 'kind hands'. Staff help children to understand why these rules are in place and children behave well.

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need to do better?

n There has been a change of leadership and staffing since the last inspection and a number of adjustments have been made. The nursery continues to be on a journey to fully embed the improvements. Staff report their well-being is good and the leadership team support them in their roles. Regular supervision sessions focus on professional development. Staff are keen to progress their knowledge and gain further qualifications. A recent in-service day enabled staff to learn about the changes to legislation. This training helps to ensure staff understand their roles and responsibilities. n A new planning system has been introduced, which is still in its infancy. Staff are continuing to make changes to this to ensure it fully meets the needs of all children. It is yet to be fully embedded, but staff have been included in the design and talk confidently about how it is beginning to take shape. n Staff build on what children know and can do. They gain information from

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need to do better?

parents when they start at the nursery using an 'All About Me' document. Staff provide activities to meet children's needs. Consequently, children demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. For example, children persevere in their play,

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need to do better?

19 September 2025 joining the large bricks together until they have a long train. Children confidently share their creations with staff. n Staff support children effectively to manage their own personal needs and adopt healthy habits. They remind children to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Older children talk about how they need to wash their hands before a cooking activity to remove the germs. They confidently help themselves to fruit and pour their own drinks at snack time. This helps children to understand the importance of good hygiene and healthy lifestyles. n Staff organise regular outings for the children. This includes trips to the local library and nearby shops. This helps children to learn about the world around them and develops their knowledge and understanding of the community in which they live. n Staff work in partnership with local schools and other settings children attend.

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need to do better?

They communicate effectively with other pre-schools to discuss children's progress. Teachers visit the nursery in the summer term before children start school. This helps to create smooth transitions and supports children's emotional well-being. n Staff build positive relationships with parents. They provide daily updates about how the children have been during the day. Staff communicate with parents verbally and via the online platform. Parents comment that the care and kindness staff show to the children is 'fantastic'. However, staff do not always share information with parents about children's next steps and how to support their children's learning at home.

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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 continue to develop and embed the new planning system across the nursery n improve communications with parents to ensure they know their child's next steps and how to support them at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496071 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10393936 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 35 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person GATEWAY CENTRAL SERVICES LIMITED

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reference number

Telephone number 01794 527 025 Date of previous inspection 21 January 2025

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Information about this early years setting

Little Sunlights registered in 2015. The nursery is located in The Romsey Community School, Greatbridge, Romsey. It is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. There are nine staff, six of whom have appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery provides government funded early education places for 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 The inspector spoke with the nominated 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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. 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 manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector and manager carried out a joint observation of a cooking activity.

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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

19 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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