URN 2812905 · Inspected 2026-01-16 · Published 2026-03-09 · Inspector: Joanne Ryan
Small World Nursery Unique reference number (URN): 2812905 Address: Small World Nursery, 2 Liege Road, LEYLAND, PR25 2ES Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 05/11/2024 Registers: EYR, CCR, VCR Registered person: SMALL WORLD NURSERY (NORTHERN)LTD Inspection report: 16 January 2026 Exceptional Strong standard Expected standard Needs attention Urgent improvement Safeguarding standards met The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe. How we evaluate safeguarding When we inspect settings for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes: Met: The setting has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The setting has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met. Strong standard Expected standard Inclusion Strong standard Leaders and staff quickly identify the needs of children who require extra support. They consistently undertake accurate assessments of what children are able to do and work closely with parents and professionals. Staff use communication passports, so they fully know how children like to communicate with others. They implement targeted learning plans setting out achievable goals for children. Barriers to learning are skilfully reduced, and children make secure progress in their learning and development. Staff ensure that specialist advice is constantly implemented. They systematically apply strategies that are targeted at specifically supporting children. For example, they place their hands over children's hands to guide them in things they cannot yet do independently, such as turning the pages of a book. Children benefit from swift support that is tailored to their individual stage of development. Staff undertake regular training to help them fully understand the range of different needs of children. They use funding and parent partnerships to continuously improve the experiences offered to children. For instance, they implement photo books to enhance children's emotional security to those close to them. This helps children to be emotionally secure. Achievement Expected standard Children are well prepared for their next stage in learning. They make steady progress through the curriculum. For instance, children participate in sessions where they learn simple signs. This gives them the knowledge and skills of communicating with others in a range of ways. However, some older children do not always use more complex language. Children develop their physical abilities as they participate in weekly swimming lessons. Babies develop strength in their hands through feeding themselves. Toddlers build on this by using tools in sand, and older children hold pencils to make marks. Children who need additional help achieve well. Children learn about the world around them, that languages are different and that people celebrate different festivals. Children demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours they need to succeed in learning. They are confident, curious and have a love for learning. Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard Staff set out clear expectations for children to help them understand the behaviours that are expected from them. They guide children in their interactions with others, helping them to take turns and work together. For instance, when disagreements arise, staff support children to think about how their friends might feel. Children show positive attitudes towards their learning and cooperate with each other. Staff are warm and caring towards children. They notice when children need reassurance and provide comfort and support. For instance, when younger children become tired, staff give them cuddles. Children feel emotionally secure in the setting. Staff adapt their approach based on children's individual development stage. For younger children, they tune in to children's emotional cues. For toddlers, they provide guidance and support, and older children receive more detailed explanations. Children show respect and kindness towards each other. Leaders work with parents to promote the good attendance of children. Staff follow up absences and work with families to build consistent routines. Children benefit from engaging in their learning consistently. Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard Staff promote children's physical and emotional wellbeing through effective care practices. They work with parents and share information about safe sleeping, oral health and healthy eating. This helps children to be ready to learn about their own health and physical development. Children practise good hygiene and develop their independence. They wash their hands before they eat food and use cutlery with skill. Children learn how to manage their own self-care. Staff establish effective relationships with children. They find out about children's likes and dislikes when they first start to attend. Staff use this information to help children settle into their care. They identify children's achievements and offer praise and encouragement. Children grow in confidence and self-esteem. Staff support children to express their feelings. They offer calm reassurance. Children learn how to manage their emotions. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For instance, young children learn how to take steps independently and are safely supported by staff. Older children learn water safety rules in their weekly swimming lessons. Curriculum and teaching Expected standard Leaders design the curriculum to enhance all areas of learning. They regularly review it to ensure that it remains ambitious. They plan sequentially what they want children to learn from when they are babies until they leave to go to school. Children build upon what they already know and can do. However, there are some occasions when children do not transition between experiences effectively. On these occasions, learning is disrupted for some children. Staff undertake assessments to understand children's developmental stages. They use this knowledge to tailor learning experiences. Staff understand children's mathematical abilities and extend these by using mathematical language and comparing amounts. Children build their confidence in using mathematical ideas. Staff support children's personal, social and emotional development, and they help children learn how to take turns. Staff adapt activities so that children who need extra help are fully included. Staff model language to younger children by naming objects. They use focused communication assessments targeting areas of language that children can improve on. This helps children acquire the foundational skills they need. However, opportunities for older children to explain their ideas and use more complex vocabulary are sometimes limited. This reduces the depth of language development for older children. Leadership and governance Expected standard Leaders understand the setting's strengths and have identified areas for development. They recognise their strength in inclusive practice and make decisions so barriers to learning are removed quickly. Leaders have also identified that the outdoor area did not offer enough learning for mathematics and have taken action to improve this. Children now benefit from well-planned learning indoors and outdoors. Leaders observe staff interactions with children and share what they have done well. However, they do not always identify precise areas for development. This leads to some inconsistencies in practice, for example how staff move children on from one activity to the next, and some staff are less skilled at extending older children's language skills than others. Staff engage in training and professional development. This helps them make some improvements to practice. For instance, staff caring for babies undertake training on child development. They use this knowledge to help them tune in to babies' cues. Children benefit from responsive interactions. Leaders support staff wellbeing. Leaders offer practical and emotional support to staff appropriate to their needs. Staff feel supported in their roles. Compulsory Childcare Register requirements This setting has met the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. How we check if a provider meets the requirements of the Compulsory Childcare Register When we check if settings meet the Compulsory Childcare Register requirements, they can have the following outcomes: Met Not met Voluntary Childcare Register requirements This setting has met the requirements of the voluntary part of Childcare Register. How we check if a provider meets the requirements of the Voluntary Childcare Register When we check if settings meet the Voluntary Childcare Register requirements, they can have the following outcomes: Met Not met What it's like to be a child at this setting Staff respond well to children's emotional needs. They give children time and attention to help them build a sense of belonging. For example, children take the hands of staff to show them the things they want to do, knowing adults will respond sensitively. Children show that they feel supported and seek reassurance as needed from staff that they trust. Children enjoy engaging in learning experiences and develop confidence in their own abilities. They concentrate and show perseverance as they build tall towers, testing out how high they can build them before they fall down. Children acquire the knowledge and skills they need for their next stage in learning, such as determination and confidence. Children who need extra support are included in all aspects of the setting. They benefit from consistent and well-coordinated support. For instance, during Makaton sessions, children observe the signs adults make and try their best to copy. Staff understand the individual needs of children and use this knowledge to plan effective strategies that reduce barriers to learning. Children who are new to experiences observe and join in at their own pace. Children engage positively and purposefully in their learning experiences. Staff recognise and value their individuality, creating an environment where every child feels seen and understood. Staff invest time in getting to know how each child prefers to communicate their needs and consistently use these approaches in their interactions. Children feel secure and supported, and they show growing confidence when playing alongside their friends. Staff and families work closely together to support children's good attendance. Parents are encouraged to share information about children's home experiences so that staff can help children feel safe and ready to learn. The effective partnership provides a consistent approach to children's care and education. Inspector: Joanne Ryan About this setting Unique reference number (URN): 2812905 Address: Small World Nursery 2 Liege Road LEYLAND PR25 2ES Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registration date: 05/11/2024 Registered person: SMALL WORLD NURSERY (NORTHERN)LTD Register(s): EYR, CCR, VCR Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:30 - 18:00 Local authority: Lancashire Next steps Leaders should address the inconsistencies in the curriculum for communication and language for older children and provide a wider range of opportunities for children to use language to explain their ideas and thinking. Leaders should focus more precisely on the specific areas where staff can improve their practice and monitor that improvements have been made in order to reduce inconsistencies in teaching, such as during transition periods. About this inspection The inspector spoke with children, leaders, the special educational needs coordinator and designated safeguarding lead during the inspection. 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. Facts and figures used on inspection This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection. This data is from 16 January 2026 Children numbers Age range of children at the time of inspection 0 to 4 Total number of places 30 Our grades explained Exceptional Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it. Strong standard The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them. Expected standard The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them. Needs attention The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements. Urgent improvement The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) inspects services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk. This publication is available at https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn. Piccadilly Gate Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted © Crown copyright 2026 © Crown copyright