Cutie Pies Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive at this friendly nursery. They receive a warm welcome from staff on arrival and settle down quickly to play. Children develop close and affectionate relationships with their key persons. This helps them to feel happy, confident and secure. Staff have a calm and positive approach to managing children's behaviour. Children follow 'golden rules', such as being kind to each other and using 'walking feet' indoors. They learn about their personal hygiene and managing their care needs. For instance, toddlers wipe their noses independently at the 'snuffle station' and babies indicate when they want more fruit at snack time.

Staff have high expectations for children. They praise children's efforts and promote their self-esteem very successfully. Children of all ages are enthusiastic and positive about learning. They make choices about their play and follow their own interests and ideas. Children delight in tackling physical challenges safely, such as climbing and balancing. This supports their problem-solving and physical skills well. Children cooperate well together and play happily with their friends. For example, older children enjoy a book about three little pigs and decide to build houses for the characters. They discuss the materials they should use and which will be the strongest. Children help each other to construct the houses and have fun re-enacting the story together.

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

• The manager is passionate about her role. She works diligently with the rest of the management team to provide a happy environment and a stimulating curriculum for children. Staff say that there is a strong team spirit and describe the excellent opportunities they have, to build on their professional skills.
• Relationships with parents are highly effective. Parents describe how their children flourish in the warm and nurturing environment. They say that they feel valued by staff and speak of raising their children in partnership with staff.
• Staff recognise and support the needs of all children well. This includes children who receive funding and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff work with parents and, where needed, other professionals to plan targets for children. They use their knowledge from training very effectively, to provide highly focused teaching. Staff respond to children's individual learning styles and use their interests to help them achieve all they can.
• Staff support children's behaviour calmly and consistently. They acknowledge children's feelings, with comments, such as, 'I know you feel a bit sad, what will make you happier?' This helps children to understand their emotions and begin to regulate their behaviour.
• The nursery routines are well planned and generally run efficiently. Children have opportunities to eat, rest and exercise, which enhances their well-being.
• They have time to explore their own ideas and to take part in group activities. However, occasionally, staff do not recognise when younger children need support to move on to the next part of the day. Therefore, the environment becomes a little disorganised and children miss out on their learning.
• Children have access to a wide range of natural materials and resources. These stimulate their curiosity and spark their imaginations. For instance, toddlers are inquisitive and use their senses to find out about pumpkins. They show surprise and wonder as they discover the colours, textures and smells inside. Children pretend that they are creating a 'witch's potion' and talk excitedly about how they will celebrate Halloween at nursery and at home.
• Staff support children's communication skills effectively. For example, they sing and talk to children throughout the day, so that they hear a wide range of words. Children, including those who speak English as an additional language, become confident talkers. They demonstrate their broad vocabularies as they chat happily with the staff and their peers.
• Staff place a strong emphasis on promoting healthy lifestyles. Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day. Staff supervise them as they brush their teeth after lunch each day. They explain why this is important and remind children to brush their molars at the back. Older children recall this information later, as they look at a book about a dentist. Staff also provide helpful advice for parents to support children's well-being, such as how to safely manage the time that children spend online.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• improve the organisation of some parts of the daily routine, to ensure that younger children's learning is supported effectively as they transition from one event to another.