Little Learners, NE

A crocodile's teeth, growing caterpillars and a vegetable patch give Little Learners, NE a recognisable character: everyday learning made tangible. These were features of its May 2022 nursery day, combining practical exploration with stories and conversation at Fawdon Community Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Ofsted rated the setting Good at its 18 May 2022 inspection. It has capacity for 26 children; the children attending in May 2022 were aged two to four. That historical age range matters when reading the account below, which describes the nursery's practice at that time.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, bringing play, communication and practical exploration into the nursery day. In May 2022, activities followed children's interests, with opportunities to choose resources and investigate independently.

Hungry Caterpillar story work connected books with learning about living things: children discussed what the caterpillar ate and its transformation into a butterfly. Daily story sessions gave language a recurring place in the routine; children also enjoyed songs and rhymes. Staff introduced vocabulary through the caterpillars, making new words part of something children could observe.

Practical materials brought other ideas within reach. In May 2022, water play introduced the concepts of empty and full, while drawing on whiteboards and in shaving foam explored flat shapes. Dentist mirrors and brushing a crocodile's teeth turned oral health into an activity children could try. The vegetable patch added planting, watering and tending plants, linking growing food with healthy eating.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that children made good progress, support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) was effective, and safeguarding arrangements were effective. The detail behind those judgements is useful for families weighing how learning and care fitted together.

In May 2022, each child's key person used observations and assessments to identify abilities and plan next steps. Staff helped children resolve disagreements and encouraged consideration for others. Communication with parents worked both ways: staff shared learning information and welcomed updates from home.

Relationships also shaped the May 2022 experience. Children had close bonds with practitioners, whose encouragement and praise supported their emotional wellbeing. Adults demonstrated the behaviour they expected, giving children examples to follow during play with others. For parents, contact extended beyond learning updates: the manager offered advice and support and directed families towards other services. This made conversations about a child's needs part of the relationship between home and nursery.

Safeguarding practice in May 2022 included regular staff discussions about recognising possible abuse and responding to concerns. Staff had completed safeguarding training and knew how to raise worries about children or colleagues. Daily checks considered environmental risks, alongside supervision of children and checks on adults' suitability to work with them.

In May 2022, staff coordinated children's support with speech and language specialists, the health visitor and additional outside agencies. Signing and visual prompts helped children communicate. Fruit and vegetables formed part of the snacks, while regular visits with staff helped children prepare for their next nursery or school; staff also worked with teachers on that transition.

Little Learners, NE is based at Fawdon Community Centre, Fawdon Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2PL.

In May 2022, attendance ran during term time, Monday to Friday, with sessions from 9.15am to 12.15pm. Wednesday and Thursday also had afternoon sessions from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Those shorter windows describe a sessional pattern rather than a continuous working-day arrangement.

Funded early education for children aged two, three and four formed part of the May 2022 offer. That is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise of an individual child's entitlement or place.

• Attendance today. How does today's offer compare with the May 2022 term-time session pattern for children aged two to four?
• Purpose of activities. In May 2022, staff were sometimes unclear about the learning intended through an activity. The practical examples are appealing, but clarity about what children should gain was an improvement priority.
• Staff development. In May 2022, evaluation of training's effect on staff knowledge and skills needed further work. Training attendance alone did not establish its impact on practice.

Little Learners, NE merits consideration for families drawn to practical preschool learning, everyday language work and support involving outside professionals. The May 2022 attendance pattern suited families seeking earlier sessions or Wednesday and Thursday afternoons during term time. Its Good judgement sits alongside specific work needed on activity intentions and evaluating training: both belong in the decision.