Hillcity Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Leaders have put in place some changes to the nursery in response to the COVID- 19 pandemic, to help keep children safe. Additional cleaning measures are in place. Visitors are asked to keep a safe distance from staff and children. Parents drop children off and collect them from staff at the door. Children are greeted by friendly staff. They separate from their parents with ease and happily enter the nursery.

Children behave well in this nursery. Staff have rules in place, such as using manners, walking inside and using kind voices. Gentle reminders from staff make sure that children follow the rules well.

Staff have high expectations for children. They plan opportunities which ignite their curiosity and supports their learning. Children have a great time making play dough. They have fun mixing the wet and dry ingredients together. Staff encourage them to feel the different textures as the mixture changes. Children explore how they can make pink play dough using red and white colouring. They enjoy playing with the play dough, which they have made. In these activities, children strengthen the muscles in their fingers and hands ready for future learning.

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

• Leaders have a clear curriculum in place. Staff plan activities which meet children's needs well. For example, children enjoy the opportunity to play with water. Staff carefully set up the activity to encourage children to stand and move around the table. This helps to support those children who are learning to walk. Young children are well prepared for their next stage in learning.
• Staff working with older children plan activities, which help them to learn about different foods. Children are invited to chop their own vegetables and fruit. Staff support children's developing vocabulary by naming the foods. Children enjoy pretending to make soup with the ingredients. However, some staff do not provide opportunities that help children to test out their developing ideas. This means that some children do not achieve as well as they could.
• Staff make good use of familiar songs and books to promote children's communication and language development. Staff have a story of the month which is read to children each day. Children happily join in with the story and recall the main events. This is helping to develop a love of reading.
• Staff make sure that children learn how to keep healthy. They plan opportunities for children to play outside and be physically active. Children learn how to keep their teeth healthy and why it is important.
• Children have good relationships with staff. They offer comfort and reassurance to children when they become upset or frustrated in their play. This settles children quickly. Staff help children learn how to share and take turns. Children's emotional well-being is well supported.
• Leaders know their local community and families well. They make sure that children learn about what makes them unique. Staff plan exciting events and celebrations. These help children learn about different cultures, religions and faiths.
• Leaders are aware of the importance of promoting online safety with parents. However, there are not enough opportunities across the curriculum for children to learn about how to keep themselves safe when using electronic devices.
• Parents speak highly of leaders and staff. They are pleased with the progress that their children make. Parents value the communication they receive about their children's time in nursery. However, sometimes, staff do not provide enough guidance to parents, so that they can support their children's learning at home.
• Leaders have good relationships with other professionals. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Leaders make referrals to other agencies in a timely manner. This ensures that children receive the help that they need. Consequently, they achieve well.
• Leaders make sure that staff receive the training that they need. This helps staff to have the necessary knowledge and skills. For example, staff recently completed training to support children with their communication and language development. Staff workload is managed efficiently.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• ensure that staff plan activities that encourage older children to think critically for themselves and test out new ideas
• adapt the curriculum to make sure that children learn how to keep themselves safe while using electronic devices
• provide parents with additional guidance on how they can support children's learning at home.