Little Monkeys at The Old Cottage

Inspection of Little Monkeys at The Old Cottage The Old Cottage, 14 West Street, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 1DZ

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

Although staff have good relationships with children, there are weaknesses in their practice. This prevents children from learning as much as they could. Leaders want children to achieve well. However, shortcomings in teaching hinder children in reaching their full potential. Nevertheless, children make some progress. They are generally happy and secure in the nursery environment.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff sing familiar songs to children, who excitedly join in with words to 'Five Little Monkeys'. Children do the actions, jumping up and down. They enjoy playing the musical instruments. This helps to promote children's communication and language skills.

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The provision requires improvement

Children are familiar with staff's expectations for their behaviour. For example, they know they must put their coats and shoes on to go outside, and to wash their hands before meals. Interactions are positive, and children receive praise and encouragement. This helps to promote children's self-esteem and confidence.

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The provision requires improvement

Children have access to a large outdoor area. This helps them to become physically active. Younger children benefit from a well-equipped secure section of the garden. Staff interact well with the babies, such as they sing 'pat-a-cake' as they play with the sand together. However, older children have minimal activities set up for them, which limits their learning during their time outside.

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need to do better?

n Leaders recognise they are on a journey. They have sought additional support and help to make improvements to the nursery. Leaders have a clear vision for what they want to achieve. However, they have not been able to fully embed their ideas and practice in the newly established team. Nevertheless, staff report their well-being is good and they feel supported. n Leaders ensure that staff complete mandatory training, such as paediatric first aid and safeguarding. However, staff working with the youngest children have not completed the required training to work with babies. This does not help them to provide the best opportunities for the youngest children and is a breach of requirements. n Staff do not plan effectively for every child's learning. They do not ensure that the curriculum is always challenging and ambitious for all. Some children engage well. They focus and concentrate as they build with blocks in the soft-play area.

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need to do better?

However, the planned curriculum does not consistently support children to develop positive attitudes to their learning. Some children do not join in activities as they are not targeted effectively to meet their needs. As a result, children wander and do not engage with activities. This means that children do not

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need to do better?

26 September 2025 consistently have opportunities to further extend their learning. n The key-person system is not robust enough to ensure that key persons have a deep knowledge of children. There is no system in place when staff are absent to ensure that children continue to build on what they know and can do. In addition, children do not benefit from key persons undertaking intimate care routines to help to support their sense of belonging and attachment. n Staff engage children well during story time. They read stories animatedly and children show their excitement as they listen and join in. Staff ask children questions and encourage recall. They give children choices and impart new language, such as 'tangerine' and 'mango'. Staff talk about how they can taste the fruits at snack time. This helps children to develop an understanding of literacy as they listen intently to the story. n Staff work effectively with other agencies and schools. This helps to ensure that

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need to do better?

children receive the support they need at the appropriate time. It aids transition when children move on to the next stage in their education. n Staff work well with parents and carers. They provide regular updates about their children's development on an online platform. Staff share information with parents during handovers at the beginning and end of the day. Parents speak highly of the nursery. They comment that staff support the whole family, and not just their children. This joined-up approach helps parents to support their children's learning and development 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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Due date

ensure that at least half of all staff receive training that specifically addresses the care of babies 17/10/2025

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Due date

implement a broad and challenging curriculum that is planned to extend children's interests 24/10/2025

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Due date

26 September 2025 embed the key-person system appropriately to ensure that every child's care is tailored to meet their individual needs. 17/10/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2785746 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10417478 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Little Monkey Minders Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07825429293 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The nursery registered in 2024 and is located in Ringwood, Hampshire. The nursery is open all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. There are thirteen staff, of whom seven staff hold qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery provides government funded childcare.

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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 Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. 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 during story time. n Parents shared their views of the nursery 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

26 September 2025 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

26 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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