Baby Gems Playhouse

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and separate well from their parents on arrival. Staff warmly welcome them into the setting. Staff are responsive to children's needs, which helps them to feel valued, secure and ready to learn. Children are eager to explore the play opportunities on offer. They move confidently around the generous space before deciding where to spend their time.

Staff develop a clear routine. They use picture cards to support children's understanding of what is happening next. Children are excited to check the noticeboard and tell their friends what they will be getting involved in. This helps to make transition times smooth.

Staff provide a range of activities that celebrate children's similarities and differences. For example, children delight in making their faces using play dough. They are excited to look in the mirror and talk to each other about their hair and the colour of their eyes. Children particularly enjoy role play. They become highly engaged in the games that they develop. For example, they play together for prolonged periods in the home corner. They are particularly enthusiastic about dressing up. They persevere with tasks as they put on the outfits they choose. Staff offer just the right amount of support to enable children to develop the skills needed for dressing and undressing.

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

• The staff have high expectations of children. They deploy themselves effectively to respond positively and get involved in children's play. The leader works closely with staff to plan a broad curriculum that reflects children's interests. Children access a wide range of activities and experiences that support their development across all seven areas of learning.
• Leadership is strong. Staff report that they feel well supported and valued in their role. They have numerous opportunities for professional development. The leader ensures that staff develop the confidence to apply newly acquired knowledge and skills. Together, the team is committed to driving improvement.
• Overall, staff are good role models for communication and language. They introduce many new words to extend children's vocabulary. Staff support children in developing their listening and attention skills during story time, singing and through cooperative games. However, they occasionally ask a series of questions in quick succession. This does not allow younger children time to think and respond.
• Staff members encourage children to carry out tasks for themselves. They offer appropriate support to meet children's individual needs. For example, staff teach children how to competently wash their hands by creating bubbles with soap to remove germs. This helps children develop their understanding of the importance of personal hygiene.
• Staff take time to acknowledge and promote children's positive behaviour. They remind children of the nursery rules and praise them for making the right choices. Children get involved in putting items back where they belong. They are exceptionally keen to use the cleaning equipment. Children competently use the dustpan and brush, which supports the development of their hand-eye coordination.
• Staff are strong role models for kindness and compassion. They never miss an opportunity to acknowledge when children take turns and share resources. Staff ensure that there is sufficient equipment for children to play cooperatively. Children respond positively to the staff and their peers. They create imaginative games where they confidently take on different roles.
• Staff create opportunities for children to strengthen the small muscles in their hands as they use pens and stampers. However, they do not always plan the most ambitious or interesting mark-making activities on a large scale. This limits opportunities for children to develop their gross motor skills.
• Parents are impressed with how quickly their children settle in this nurturing setting. They are pleased with how confident they become as they spend time with the caring staff. Parents state that staff are extremely approachable. They enjoy the detailed feedback they receive daily about the learning opportunities children have been involved in.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to develop their effective use of questioning as a teaching strategy, to further extend children's thinking skills
• strengthen opportunities for children to develop their gross motor skills.