Crazy 4 Kids Frederic Street

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff provide children with a warm welcome and nurturing interactions. They foster strong bonds that help children to feel safe and secure in their care. Staff offer a variety of experiences that cover all areas of the curriculum. They tailor activities and resources to align with children's interests. For example, staff set up animal-related activities, including a zoo and role-play veterinary scenarios using various toy animals. They introduce the names of the animals and discuss how to care for them. Staff remind children about the rules, such as not running in the room, to help them to learn about safety. Children's behaviour is positive. They develop friendships and begin to understand their own needs, as well as the needs of others, with occasional guidance from staff.

Children acquire new self-help skills to prepare for their transition to school. Staff teach children to match objects by size and colour, and to compare items of different sizes. Children are motivated learners. They eagerly participate in music and movement sessions that incorporate shakers and soft materials. Staff support all children's communication and language skills effectively. For example, they assist children who speak English as an additional language by helping to develop their vocabulary through reinforcement and repetition. Additionally, children learn Spanish. During small-group times, staff engage children with activities such as singing nursery rhymes and reading stories. Children of all abilities, including those in receipt of additional funding, make good progress from their starting points in development.

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

• Since the last inspection, leaders have worked diligently to address the actions identified in the previous inspection. They have collaborated closely with early local authority advisers to tackle these issues. As a result of training, staff have reorganised the learning environment. This has had a positive impact on children's play and learning. Children now have greater freedom and access to a wider variety of resources, which also promotes their independence.
• Staff observe children's learning and monitor their progress. They plan activities based on children's interests. For instance, when children search for spiders in the garden, staff discuss the spider's body structure and remind children not to disturb it in its web. However, some activities lack clear learning objectives. This leaves children unsure of what they are meant to learn. Despite this, children maintain positive attitudes and enjoy activities.
• Children engage in high-quality learning experiences in literacy and mathematics. For instance, older children enthusiastically practise writing their names in coloured sand. They independently locate their name labels when they self-register. Staff teach children mathematical language during their play, such as comparing pieces of dough to determine which is 'heavier' or 'lighter'. They skillfully ask questions that encourage children to think critically and develop their problem-solving skills.
• Staff promote healthy lifestyles. For instance, they provide children with daily access to a well-equipped outdoor area for fresh air and exercise. Staff provide resources, such as hoops, stepping blocks and ride-on toys, to support children's physical development. Additionally, they offer well-balanced snacks and meals while encouraging children to develop independence and hygiene skills. For example, they teach children how to use tissues for wiping and small knives to cut their snacks safely.
• Leaders supervise staff effectively through regular meetings that discuss their progress and relevant training. They implement a self-evaluation process that includes staff's input to identify areas for development. However, they recognise the need to improve how they gather parents' views to identify strengths and areas for improvement in the nursery. Leaders have plans to address this issue promptly.
• Parents and carers express positive feedback about the nursery. They comment that their children are happy to attend. Parents value the daily conversations with staff. They appreciate receiving information and photos of their children through the online app. Staff also provide guidance to parents on various topics, including their children's speech development, weaning from a pacifier and feeding.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to have a clearer intention of what they want children to learn during planned activities
• develop the self-evaluation process to include parents' views of strengths and areas for development.