Chuckles Nurseries Limited

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy to arrive and settle quickly in this warm and welcoming nursery. Staff form close and nurturing relationships with children, and they are safe and secure in their care. Staff are excellent role models and treat children with kindness and consideration. There is a strong sense of community that supports children's social and emotional skills well and children cooperate amicably as they play together.

The provider and staff provide a curriculum that focuses on developing children's independence and social and emotional well-being. Throughout the nursery, staff understand how to build on children's learning through skilful interactions. For example, staff encourage younger children to sing along to favourite rhymes, using props to inspire their interest. Staff expertly bring stories to life for older children, who become engrossed and excited to listen. Children join in with the repeated phrases enthusiastically and this supports their early literacy skills and encourages a love of books.

Staff make the most of opportunities for children to be physically active. Indoors, younger children love clambering in and out of large cardboard boxes, for example strengthening their muscles and mobility. Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise, improving their agility and promoting their good health.

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

• The provider and staff work together as a highly committed team. Staff say that they really enjoy working at the nursery and feel supported and valued by the provider. The provider is very reflective of the valuable service she provides to children and families. She consults parents and children to make changes that enhance the nursery.
• Parents speak very highly of the nursery and say their children are happy and enjoy attending. They particularly appreciate the caring staff and feel that their children are safe and secure. Parents comment on the good progress children make at the nursery and feel fully involved in their early education. Staff give them regular feedback about children's achievements and provide useful activities to extend children's learning at home.
• Children become increasingly independent as they move through the nursery. Staff build their self-esteem and children become confident that they can do things for themselves. Children are eager to help to prepare snack when it is their turn, for example. They smile broadly when staff praise them for helping others.
• Children become confident communicators. Staff take time to listen carefully to them and value what they have to say. They are very attentive to babies as they play and babble, encouraging back and forth interactions that support their language development well. Older children take turns to give their opinions about their favourite books, for example. They speak fluently and develop a rich vocabulary.
• Staff organise very effective small groups, where staff guide their learning. They encourage all children to participate and develop their knowledge and skills. For example, staff expertly help children to learn how to say and write letters of the alphabet. Children concentrate well, try really hard and eagerly ask, 'Can I do some more?' At times, however, staff do not encourage children to follow their own ideas when they are leading their own play. Children miss chances to further develop their problem-solving skills to deepen and extend their learning.
• The provider and staff work with other professionals effectively. They monitor children's development to notice any gaps in their learning. Staff plan tailored activities that meet children's individual needs and support all children to make good progress.
• Staff ensure that children gain the skills they need for going on to school, when the time comes. They are proactive in obtaining feedback from local schools about how they can help children to confidently enjoy school life. Staff invite teachers to visit the nursery to meet the children and talk about what they enjoy doing in the nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to give children more time and encouragement to experiment, explore and follow their own ideas, to deepen and extend their learning even further.