Dreamland Nurseries

Inclusion: Expected standard

Leaders create an inclusive environment where every child is valued and demonstrate that inclusion underpins all aspects of their practice. They work closely with multi-agency professionals and parents to ensure that each child's individual needs are typically understood and met effectively.

Leaders make full use of early years funding to provide tailored support for children who may face barriers to learning. This approach enables the setting to allocate resources appropriately. For example, specialised interventions with a speech therapist ensure that all children can access the curriculum fully.

The setting supports children who may experience challenges and works with families to have an open communication and collaborative culture. This is to identify any emerging needs at an early stage. Quarterly cohort assessments are undertaken, and monitoring is a priority. This enables staff to respond quickly and put appropriate measures in place.

Speech and language development is a key focus within the setting. Staff are trained to support communication and language through quality interactions, modelling language and creating communication-rich environments. For example, visual aids, gestures and key word repetition are used to help children develop their language so that they can meet their full potential.

Curriculum and teaching: Needs attention

Staff demonstrate an understanding of teaching. However, not all children benefit from quality teaching and learning. For example, at times, children prefer to foster their own play rather than be in a larger group, highlighting the need for staff to adapt teaching strategies to foster children's engagement so that effective learning can take place for all children.

Staff monitor children's progress through assessments to understand what children know, and they use opportunities to be part of the children's play to build on their knowledge through teaching and modelling. However, these supportive systems are not always effective to fully engage children in sustained shared thinking to ensure continuity of learning across all aspects of the curriculum. This can inherently act as a barrier for creating positive outcomes for children.

Leaders show some understanding of the quality of the curriculum, which is designed to meet the needs of all children. Older children comfortably engage with staff and show an interest in mathematics. Staff play an important role in helping children develop mathematical language. For example, during staff-led activities, children explore the concepts of shape and patterns and build on their problem-solving skills. This deepens children's understanding and helps them make connections and apply concepts for mathematics in their play.

Achievement: Needs attention

Children make some progress from their starting points. However, this does not reflect the progress that they are fully capable of achieving. Some children do not consistently benefit from a broad and stimulating range of resources that capture and sustain their interests. In addition, the quality of teaching does not always sufficiently meet children's individual learning needs, which impacts on their language and communication development.

However, some aspects are working well. For example, children develop early mathematical skills and gain an understanding of growth as they experiment with plant roots, count and sequence numbers. They show curiosity and collaborate to solve problems with increasing resilience. Younger children also demonstrate their understanding of simple positional language, such as 'up' and 'down', which helps to build their early understanding of direction.

Children are valued as individuals within the environment. For example, to support their understanding, visual aids and sensory experiences are implemented in play to meet emerging needs, particularly for those with speech and language delays or who are learning English as an additional language.

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Expected standard

Leaders prioritise the development of positive behaviour, attitudes and consistent routines to support children's wellbeing. Children typically benefit from a nurturing approach where they are given opportunities to be curious in their learning. Clear and age-appropriate expectations are included in daily routines and modelled by staff through respectful interactions, and children are receptive.

Children are confident and demonstrate resilience in their play, listening attentively, maintaining focus and responding appropriately to staff prompts. When a staff member asks, 'Who is ready to tell me what we are about to do?', the children respond by saying it is garden time, engaging and showing their understanding of established routines.

Children confidently approach staff for support, and staff respond sensitively, using encouragement such as, 'Thank you, I can see you are doing perfect listening.' This approach helps reinforce positive behaviour among the children. Children are supported to collaborate in play. For example, children work together to sequence counters. They take turns, share colours and talk about their ideas. Younger children's play is fostered by staff who encourage talking, listening, sharing and cooperative play to support their understanding.

Leaders promote attendance with parents by offering flexibility for them to access funding for both morning and afternoon sessions. Clear communication is provided to families about the importance of regular attendance, ensuring that children benefit fully from their funded entitlement.

Children's welfare and wellbeing: Expected standard

Children benefit from secure attachments with their key person, and staff know them well. This ensures that children develop positive relationships with staff. Children also receive nurturing support from staff that promotes their confidence, resilience and positive emotional wellbeing.

Children are reliant and generally show positive attitudes to learning, with increased independence in selecting their own play. They are responsive to staff and confident in their environment. For example, key persons consistently comfort younger babies using soothing techniques, such as gentle rocking and singing known rhymes. Children are supported to develop their physical skills and to recognise, express and manage their emotions, which supports their emotional development.

Older children demonstrate confidence in their skills, particularly with cars and small-world play, developing their understanding of the world. Staff provide a flexible routine that is tailored around children's individual needs and dietary needs. These are monitored effectively, and staff understand safer care practices. For example, babies follow safe sleep routines, with staff providing comfort items and reassurance. Staff supervise children vigilantly during mealtimes. They sit with children, encouraging independence while offering support where needed. For children who are weaning, staff work closely with parents to introduce new textures and foods gradually, ensuring consistency and sensitivity to each child's stage of development.

Leadership and governance: Expected standard

Leaders typically focus on maintaining appropriate standards of care and safeguarding within the setting. They work collaboratively to ensure that the provision typically meets the needs of all children and strive for improvement. This means, generally, consistency for children and families has been maintained.

Leaders typically show an understanding of the setting's strengths and areas for improvement. They regularly review policies, tailor staff training and listen to staff feedback. For example, leaders identified a need to further strengthen communication and language opportunities for children. This targeted training led to enhanced planning that, once embedded, will improve staff interactions and knowledge and create better outcomes for children.

Leaders place priority on staff wellbeing by ensuring supportive supervision. Ongoing external and online training is in place to develop staff knowledge further. This approach ensures that there is a positive culture where staff feel supported and valued and where they can reflect on and improve practice. For example, recent safeguarding and curriculum training has strengthened staff confidence and improved consistency within the setting. However, newer staff do not consistently deliver the curriculum effectively to support children's achievement.

Leaders ensure that risk assessments are in place and concerns raised will be addressed promptly and effectively. Staff concerns are immediately addressed and actions taken.