Bambinos Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

All children demonstrate that they feel happy, safe and secure. They have formed close bonds with their key persons, who are friendly and nurturing towards them. Children beam when they see staff members and they enjoy being in their company. Children understand the rules and routines of the nursery, helping to cooperate with each other, such as during tidy-up time.

Staff plan an effective curriculum that captures children's curiosity and helps them to make good progress in their development. One- and-two-year-olds listen to stories and begin to identify animals, recognising the sounds they make. Older children enjoy learning about life cycles. For example, staff implement a 'curiosity cube' where children can talk about what is inside, including pictures of butterflies and caterpillars. Children recall what they have learned, for example retelling events from their favourite stories.

The new special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) quickly identifies children who need extra support to help close gaps in their learning. She works closely with parents and other professionals to implement effective strategies to benefit children. For example, parents can bring their children into nursery when it is less busy to help keep children calm and relaxed. The learning environment is well thought out to enable children with mobility difficulties to move around easily.

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

• All children enjoy exploring real flowers. Older children use them to make 'magic potions' as they mix petals with water and mud. They tell staff they are making 'chocolate medicine' that will help them feel better. Two- and three-year-olds learn how to use scissors. They try hard to cut flowers into small pieces, aiding their hand-to-eye coordination. One- and two-year-olds enjoy exploring the textures of flowers and how they smell.
• The nursery provides children with healthy and nutritious foods to encourage good health. Children enjoy plenty of time outside in the fresh air developing their core strength and physical skills. For instance, they lift tyres and crates, using them to make a pretend ambulance.
• Children develop good communication skills overall. Staff encourage them to make choices in their play. They implement specific stories and rhymes to help children learn new words to increase their vocabulary. However, at times, staff do not provide children with sufficient time to express their own ideas and opinions to further their language development.
• Staff implement small-group activities to focus on children's next steps in learning. Older children enjoy making dough, identifying ingredients and mixing them together. They use a variety of tools, exploring the different marks and patterns they make in the dough. Staff engage effectively with children, for example encouraging them to count to 10. Occasionally, staff do not extend and challenge older children's learning to build on their existing knowledge.
• Children play and interact well with one another. They enjoy working as a team and tell staff, 'sharing is caring'. Staff use stories and pictures cards to help children understand their emotions and to talk about how they are feeling.
• Care practices are effective. Staff disinfect tables before mealtimes and wear suitable protective clothing, such as aprons and gloves, when serving children food. They ensure children wash their hands before eating and after playing in the garden. The nursery chef ensures food is served at the correct temperature and any allergies are catered for. Staff also check food is suitable to meet children's medical needs.
• Parents report positively about the nursery and how their child's development has benefited since attending. Staff provide parents with support packs and specific books to help encourage learning at home. Parents receive frequent invites to 'stay and play' events at the nursery, where they can engage in play activities with their children. Staff provide them with information about their child's progress and ways to support them.
• Everyone understands their role in protecting children from harm. They can identify when a child may be at risk and know who to report their concerns to, helping to keep children safe.
• Staff and apprentices say they feel well supported by the management team. Managers implement awards, such as 'employee of the month', recognising staff's commitment and dedication to childcare.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• provide children with sufficient time to express their thoughts and ideas to further their language development
• extend older children's development consistently, building on what they can already do.