Happy Journeys Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and settled at this friendly and nurturing nursery. They form positive bonds with the caring staff and engage in a wide range of stimulating and enjoyable experiences. Children learn to manage their feelings and behaviours and are beginning to understand the importance of rules and taking turns.

Older children are challenged to create their own Van Gogh painting based upon the famous artist's 'Starry Night' work. They are encouraged to look at the painting and use words to describe what they see. Effective and innovative ways to promote language and communication are observed throughout the nursery. In the baby room, children delight in pulling an object from the nursery rhyme bag that represents a song, and eagerly join in with actions and gestures as staff sing along. Staff effectively model language and provide an engaging narrative to children's play, repeating vocabulary and extending sentences.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure children get the required levels of support they need. Individualised plans are used effectively to focus on the skills children need to acquire and practice to help them make the best possible progress.

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

• Staff provide a curriculum that has a positive impact on helping children to progress through the stages of learning. They embrace children's interests and provide learning that is highly engaging. Children build on and remember what they already know and can do. Their experiences over time are planned to ensure that they have the essential skills they need for their move on to school.
• Staff are good role models and give children clear explanations of expectations for behaviour. Children readily share, take turns and follow instructions. Children learn to respect and value one another.
• Staff support children's developing language skills and are ambitious to build and extend their vocabulary. For example, they use opportunities to introduce pre-school children to new words, such as 'interpretation', when engaging them in creating their own paintings. They explain clearly what new words and concepts are to children.
• Procedures are in place regarding medication and accidents, and required records are in place. However, on occasion, staff do not record information in a timely manner.
• Staff place a strong emphasis on establishing and building good relationships with parents. They find out about home routines to provide consistent care for babies and toddlers. Staff help parents to support their child's learning at home.
• Parents speak very positively about the staff's support and commitment to provide their children with the best possible start.
• The manager supports staff well and consideration is given to promote their well-being. For instance, a staff awards scheme has been introduced, in recognition of staff performance. Staff are highly valued and report that they are well supported by managers to develop professionally. Managers meet with staff individually to discuss work performance and training needs.
• Staff use mealtimes to build on children's personal independence skills and increase their awareness of healthy lifestyles. However, this time is also an extremely busy period, and some children are kept waiting for too long for their food to be served.
• Staff place a strong emphasis on helping children to develop their confidence and well-being. They plan transitions to new rooms and share information about children's backgrounds and developmental starting points. Parents are well informed about their children's learning, including the two-year progress check.
• Children are confident, self-assured and motivated to learn. They are very well prepared for their next stage of learning and eventual move on to school. Staff involve parents in supporting their children to prepare for this transition by promoting school readiness.
• Children learn about keeping themselves and others safe, and the importance of regular handwashing. However, on occasions, when independently using the bathroom, they sometimes forget to follow routines for handwashing. This does not fully support their well-being.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• implement effective routines at mealtimes to ensure that children do not wait for long periods of time before eating
• take all necessary steps to consistently promote the good health of children, including implementing effective handwashing procedures
• review procedures for the administration and record-keeping of children's medication.