Hipperholme & Lightcliffe Day Nurseries Limited

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are highly engaged in their learning while being supported by knowledgeable staff who know them well. Staff carefully consider what they want children to learn next and provide opportunities for children to practise their newly learned skills. For example, children practise mixing and measuring out ingredients during a baking activity. Staff comment on what children are doing and say words such as 'mix' and 'stir' to increase children's vocabulary. From a young age, staff introduce new language to children, supporting all children to make good progress in their communication and language development.

Staff consistently teach children what is expected of them. They model good manners, such as saying please and thank you, and older children do this without being prompted. On some occasions when children are not able to regulate their own emotions or behaviour, staff respond sensitively. They get down to the children's level and talk to them about their feelings. This helps children to behave well and get along with their friends.

Relationships with babies are sensitive and tailored to their individual needs. Staff provide comfort and meet their care needs well. They give babies choices from a young age using physical prompts. For example, babies choose their favourite nursery rhyme from pictures that represent them. This supports children to develop their confidence and self-esteem from a young age.

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

• The manager designs an ambitious curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do. They gather information right from when children first start at the nursery so that they understand the skills and knowledge children already have. They use this knowledge alongside the staff team to plan teaching and learning that helps children to make good progress in all areas of learning.
• Children are well prepared for school. Staff focus on skills such as developing independence and confidence. They teach children to use cutlery and to put on their own coats and shoes. They ensure that children are able to communicate their needs by building positive relationships. This ensures that children are ready for this next stage in their learning.
• Staff teach children about the world around them. They provide opportunities to grow vegetables and children take responsibility for caring for them. For example, children say that plants need water to grow as they fill up their watering cans. They collect leaves outside and compare the differences between them.
• Staff are skilled at commenting on children's play during child-initiated activities. During adult-led activities, staff use open-ended questions to spark children's interest. For example, they ask 'What do you think made the holes on the leaves?'. However, staff do not always expand on this by asking further questions to keep children interested. Occasionally, this does not enable children to develop their curiosity and imagination.
• Staff are skilled at meeting the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They provide individual support and targeted activities that focus on areas that children need support in the most. They recognise the times of the day that might be more difficult for children to manage and make adaptations. This helps children to feel safe and develop their emotional well-being.
• Staff communicate well with external agencies to ensure that they have a holistic view of children's needs. This helps staff to further support children, such as with their communication and language skills. In particular, this helps children with SEND to make progress alongside their peers.
• Parents praise the nursery staff for the support they provide for their children. They say that they know what the staff are teaching their children and the skills they want their child to develop. This helps them to further support their child at home. They describe the fantastic care that children receive and how their children have become more confident and made new friends since attending the nursery.
• Managers provide a range of opportunities for staff to develop their practice and skills. Managers observe staff practice and provide detailed feedback about areas for development. They provide targeted training sessions as a result of the observations and discussions with staff. For example, staff have recently received training to support them to improve the quality of interactions with children.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• provide more opportunities for all children to develop their curiosity and imagination.