Armthorpe Daycare Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and engaged in this warm and welcoming nursery. Babies and children make a smooth start to their learning experiences. They form strong bonds with the staff who care for them. Staff work closely with parents and carers to thoroughly understand children's interests, needs and routines. This contributes to the good progress children make in all areas of their development. They are well prepared for the next stage in their learning, including starting school.

Children feel safe and well-cared for. They are well behaved. Children learn to follow instructions well and to be polite and friendly to their friends and those who care for them. Staff help children to make considered decisions about their play and learning and to challenge themselves. For example, staff encourage children to assess risk in their climbing and balancing activities to develop their determination and physical skills.

The manager and her staff have high expectations for every child to gain the most from their time in the nursery. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents do not enter the setting but wait at the door. Staff have ensured that they maintain regular detailed communication and support about children's learning and progress. Parents comment that this has helped their children to stay safe and settled throughout this period.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• Overall, staff support children well to make good progress in their communication skills, including those who speak English as an additional language. Staff plan opportunities for children to build and recall a varied vocabulary and to speak and listen to others. Staff speak clearly and take care to pronounce words carefully. However, staff do not consistently build on children's responses to fully extend and enrich their vocabulary. For example, when children describe the ice in their sensory play as 'cold', staff do not introduce further descriptive words to broaden their language.
• The well-qualified and experienced manager sets a clear direction for improvement. She uses well-researched initiatives and consults with staff, parents and children. She supports staff to build on their professional development. For example, staff work in teams to develop and share training and skills. This has a positive impact. They provide a richer curriculum and implement effective assessment procedures. The manager is well supported by senior staff, such as room leaders. They contribute to monitoring and reviewing the impact of developments.
• Children are strongly encouraged to develop a love of reading. Staff introduce children to a wide range of songs, rhymes and stories that build on their previous learning and experiences. Children learn to follow the plot and anticipate what will happen next in well-told stories. The nursery provides books and other resources for parents to borrow.
• Staff bring stories to life with exciting role play, puppets and links to other areas of learning. For example, children read books about imaginary woodland creatures. They go on their own forest trail to investigate their habitat. Staff help older children, when they are ready, to recognise and write letters and words. They use them in their play and creative work.
• Children's well-being and personal development are promoted well. Staff help children to progressively build on their large-physical skills. Young children make good progress from using simple rocking toys and climbing on soft-play structures. They learn to pedal and balance on two- and three-wheeled vehicles. Children learn to keep themselves healthy. They make good decisions about the food they eat, supported by well-planned nutritious meals and snacks. They find out about the importance of cleaning their teeth in their role play and discussions.
• Parents are proud to send their children to the nursery. They particularly appreciate the warm and friendly nature of the staff and the good communication. Staff also provide guidance. For example, they help children to manage their emotions or sleep patterns. Parents appreciate the additional steps that the nursery has taken, such as changes to entrances and exits, that have enabled them to stay open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help staff to consistently introduce children to a richer and more-varied vocabulary that further enhances their communication and understanding.