The New Little Village Nursery

Inspection of The Little Village Nursery 41 Woodlands Road, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire FY8 4ER

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, the setting provides a welcoming, supportive environment. Leaders and staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of what to do if there is a concern about the welfare of a child. Leaders also take prompt internal action in the event of an allegation being made about members of staff. However, leaders have failed to notify Ofsted and local safeguarding partners in the event of allegations against staff. However, leaders' internal risk assessments and control measures minimised the impact of this on children.

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The provision requires improvement

Children are happy, settled, and feel valued. They engage confidently in play and group activities, show curiosity, and are willing to try new experiences. Positive relationships with staff support their confidence, resilience, and ability to take risks in learning. Children's behaviour is generally positive, and they demonstrate enthusiasm and motivation to explore. Staff set expectations for learning and personal development, encouraging children to share ideas and make choices.

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The provision requires improvement

The curriculum is designed to build on children's interests and supports learning across all areas. Children develop early literacy, mathematics, and sensory skills through purposeful play. They explore and experiment. For example, they use foam to make pretend ice creams. This develops their creativity and problem-solving skills. However, staff do not always give children enough time to respond to questions, which limits opportunities for deeper thinking and reasoning.

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need to do better?

n The provider does not consistently adhere to the safeguarding policies and procedures. In the event of allegations being made against members of staff, the provider has on a rare occasion failed to notify Ofsted and the local authority designated officer of the allegations. However, leaders have ensured that any risk to children is significantly reduced by implementing robust systems to keep children safe. n Children feel valued and included through opportunities to express their ideas and influence their environment. Staff use the pre-school council, small-group discussions and observation to gather children's views and adapt provision. This builds children's resilience and confidence to try new experiences. n Leaders design a curriculum that builds on children's interests and supports their learning and development across all areas of learning. Children's progress is monitored closely to identify next steps and adapt planning. This ensures all

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need to do better?

children make steady progress from their starting points. n Although children are encouraged to talk about their ideas during play and structured activities, staff do not consistently give them enough time to respond. This sometimes means that not all children have time to process their thinking in

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need to do better?

12 August 2025 time to answer staff. This impacts the progress some children make in their communication and language. n Stories and songs are woven into daily routines, helping to build vocabulary, listening skills, and a love of books. Staff encourage children to recognise letters and experiment with early writing. As a result, they develop the foundations for reading and writing with confidence. n Children develop curiosity and are free to experiment through sensory and exploratory activities. For example, investigating foam intended for pretend ice creams leads to cleaning the nursery windows. This fosters creativity, problem- solving and a love of learning. n Children develop their early mathematics skills through daily routines and play, such as counting objects, comparing sizes and recognising shapes. Staff model mathematical language and encourage children to solve simple problems. As a result, children learn to use numbers and concepts confidently in everyday

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need to do better?

situations. n Parents are actively involved in their child's learning. Staff hold meetings to share developmental updates and encourage two-way communication to strengthen the home–setting partnership. As a result, children benefit from consistent support and continuity between home and nursery. n Children enjoy nutritious meals and regular opportunities for fresh air, which support their physical health and well-being. Staff use mealtimes to promote good table manners and conversations about healthy choices. As a result, children learn about the importance of eating well and staying active. n Leaders support staff through regular supervision and training. Staff's well-being is prioritised. They benefit from regular supervision sessions, mental health check-ins and acts of kindness from leaders. This helps maintain a motivated workforce where staff feel valued and committed to their roles.

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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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Due date

ensure safeguarding procedures are consistently followed, particularly around knowledge of allegations against staff. 21/08/2025

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should:

n strengthen staff's skills in recognising when to give children more time to process information to support their communication and language even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 309638 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10398367 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 52 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person The New Little Village Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01253 732 416 Date of previous inspection 17 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Little Village Nursery registered in 1996. It is situated in Lytham. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold a childcare qualification at level 3 and one holds a level 2 qualification. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.45pm. The nursery offers government-funded places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. 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 and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

12 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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