Blue Sky Day Nursery And Pre School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children settle well in this homely and welcoming nursery. Staff provide a nurturing environment where children feel happy, safe and comfortable to explore. Staff support children's emotional needs and prepare them well for change. For example, staff arrange gradual settling-in sessions and take time to get to know children individually. Babies experience routines that reflect those from home. As a result, children establish positive relationships with their key person and familiar staff. Furthermore, staff support children's transitions in the nursery and their move onto school effectively. All children are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

The provider implements a broad and balanced curriculum based on children's individual needs and interests. Staff know children very well and the next steps in their learning. They quickly identify where children may need additional support and put in place interventions to help close any gaps in their learning. Additional funding is used well to enhance children's learning experiences. Consequently, all children make good progress.

Staff are clear with their expectations for behaviour and consistently support children to understand the rules. For example, staff use visual signs and pictures to help children understand what is expected of them. Staff act as positive role models to help children learn what is right and wrong. Staff support children to make their own choices, encourage them to try things for themselves and give lots of praise. This helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem.

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

• Staff provide children with ample opportunities to help them to develop their independence well. Children confidently wash their hands, learn to manage their clothing, serve their own food and clear plates away. Furthermore, children freely access resources and activities that interest them. Practising these skills helps children to be ready for the next stage in their learning.
• Staff support children's health and well-being effectively. They ensure that children's dietary requirements are followed closely and that they are provided with nutritious meals and snacks. Staff help children to understand the benefit that food has for their bodies. Children freely access the outdoors, where they can run, climb and practise their balancing skills. Furthermore, children enjoy taking part in regular movement activities, such as dance and yoga. This helps to build children's strength and coordination.
• Children learn about a range of cultural events. Staff help them to find out about the local community, different countries and the similarities and differences between themselves and others. Festivals are shared in the nursery that are relevant to those attending. They celebrate a culture day where parents are invited in to celebrate their cultural backgrounds. This helps children and their families to feel valued and respected.
• Overall, the curriculum is well planned and builds on what children already know and can do. Staff communicate positively and play alongside children to support them in their self-chosen play. This helps to motivate children in their learning. For example, children learn to sort objects by size and differentiate big and small items. However, during some planned activities, staff do not always adapt their interactions well enough to meet the needs of all children. Consequently, some children struggle to engage and lose interest.
• Generally, staff develop children's communication and language skills well. They read stories, sing songs, introduce new words and encourage conversations. This helps children to become confident communicators. However, support for children learning English as an additional language is not planned as precisely. As a result, children have fewer opportunities to hear and use their home languages in their play and learning.
• Parents are very positive about the setting. They confirm that there is good communication and they feel very informed about their children's learning at the nursery. Staff offer parents ideas about how they can help support their children's learning at home. Furthermore, staff work closely with other professionals involved in children's development. This helps to provide consistency in supporting children to reach their full potential.
• Leaders recognise the importance of effective supervisions and continuous professional development. Staff report feeling valued and part of a supportive team. They complete relevant training courses, such as safeguarding, child protection and safer sleeping, to help keep children safe.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff skills to adapt their interactions so that children remain engaged and their learning is fully supported, particularly during planned activities
• enhance support for children learning English as an additional language to use their home languages in their play and learning.