Grandpont Daycare

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive happily at the setting. They are confident to come in and separate from their parents well. Children are curious and make independent choices relating to their learning and the activities they wish to participate in. For example, they can choose, for most of the day, whether they wish to play inside or out. In the garden, children enjoy propelling balance bicycles, climbing, digging in the sand and transporting water in the mud kitchen. This ensures the setting is inclusive for those children who prefer to learn outdoors.

Children form positive and nurturing relationships with staff and each other. They show great delight when their friends arrive and greet them warmly. Children understand the routines of the day. For instance, they collect their coats to go outside and happily settle when it is time to sleep. Children understand the high expectations of staff. They know to pick up books from the floor in case they slip on them. Children explore their feelings and understand how to treat their peers with respect. Staff develop appropriate strategies for those who find sharing and interacting with others more difficult. Children use mirrors to learn about facial expressions and read stories to reinforce the messages. As a result, children behave extremely well.

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

• Leaders and managers have made vast improvements since the last inspection. They are passionate and have a clear vision for where they want the setting to be. Leaders and managers are ambitious to provide quality learning for all children. They have received effective support from the interim headteacher and local authority. As a result, the quality of provision has improved significantly.
• The manager and staff provide an effective curriculum. They have a clear idea of what they want children to learn. They base this on children's interests, individual needs, favourite books and experiences. This builds on what children know and can do when they start. Consequently, children make good progress and are ready for the next stage in their learning.
• On the whole, staff support children and their learning well. They demonstrate, explain and narrate to children while engaging in activities. However, at times, staff discourage children from exploring with all their senses, for example when playing with ice. Additionally, staff interrupt small-group times to talk to other adults. As a result, this interrupts children's learning and limits their experiences.
• Staff focus on supporting children to develop their communication and language. They introduce new words, encourage conversations and children are able to share their thoughts and ideas. However, on occasion, staff do not use the correct words to reinforce language and vocabulary. Therefore, children are not always exposed to the accurate use of words.
• Children enjoy sociable mealtimes with their friends and staff. Overall, adults support children to learn about healthy choices and lifestyles. Although, they do not always teach children about appropriate practices to stop the spread of infection, for example reminding children to cover their mouths when coughing. Therefore, this could expose children and staff to germs and infectious illnesses.
• Leaders and managers work effectively in partnership with other settings that children attend as well as outside agencies. For example, they share concerns about children's welfare or their learning. This meets children's individual needs and ensures they are kept safe.
• Staff use counting in everyday routines and activities. They also talk about numbers and size when singing songs and reading books. Therefore, children are beginning to learn early mathematical concepts.
• Leaders have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They are ambitious for the staff team and encourage them to attend regular training. Staff meet with leaders regularly to discuss their practice and any concerns. Consequently, they develop their knowledge and skills and provide quality care to children.
• Parents speak highly of the setting. They value the verbal feedback from staff about their children, in addition to the information they receive online and through documents. Parents also appreciate the sharing of ideas and activities for home learning. This contributes towards positive parental partnerships, which helps to support children's learning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• develop staff's understanding of how to better support children, to avoid interrupting or limiting their learning
• support staff to use the correct words to reinforce children's language and vocabulary precisely
• reinforce children's understanding of healthy practices to prevent the spread of infection.