JC Little Explorers

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children happily enter the nursery and confidently access the activities provided. Staff are quick to welcome the children and provide comfort if needed. They know the children extremely well and there is an effective key person system in place. For example, staff create a 'passport' for each child. This has information about the child, their interests and what they are working on in their development. Staff consistently observe the children and challenge their learning further. Children enjoy their learning experiences in this safe environment.

Managers provide an ambitious curriculum, which focuses on promoting independence and having good hygiene routines. For instance, children independently access drinking water and tissues when needed. Staff remind children to put their hands over their mouths when coughing and to wash their hands before snack time. Children have access to all seven areas of learning during their play. Staff join in with their play to extend their learning further. For example, staff question the children on the current theme which is 'Springtime'. Children have good personal development skills.

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

• Managers use any additional funding well to support individual children's needs. For example, they pay for hot meals and buy resources to help them achieve in their learning. Managers attend regular meetings to help support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They also work with an outside agency to help identify any delays in development. All children have equal opportunities to achieve and are progressing well in their development.
• Staff feel extremely supported by their management team. They meet regularly to discuss their well-being and their role in the nursery. Managers lead regular meetings where safeguarding is a priority. However, they do not always focus as much on ensuring staff have access to a broad range of professional development opportunities. This does not fully support staff to continually build and develop their practice and skills over time, as part of the ongoing improvement of the provision.
• Staff promote the class rules which children follow well. Children have good behaviour and are kind to each other. For example, children have good manners and share resources. Staff praise the children for their achievements and good behaviour. They help children understand their emotions and how to manage them. For instance, children communicate how they feel and touch the colour related to their feeling, such as pink for feeling loved. Children have good self-esteem and show respect for others.
• Staff promote communication and language development well. They question the children and allow them time to respond. Children show good understanding skills and respond instantly. Staff sing with the children throughout the day and use resources, such as song spoons, to keep them engaged. Children have access to a range of books throughout the nursery. For example, children access books on diggers and trucks in the construction area. Children communicate well with their peers and adults.
• Children have many opportunities to extend their physical development. Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their fine motor skills. For instance, they use one handed tools to pick up small objects. They also have lots of opportunities to extend their gross motor skills. For example, they visit the local parks and fields to play sports. The nursery benefits from a sports club attending once a week to provide further physical activity with the children. Children move confidently and show strength in their hands for future writing.
• Staff teach mathematics consistently throughout the day. They encourage children to count regularly, problem solve and notice patterns. For example, staff ask the children to count how many children there are and then how many adults. They then ask them which number is bigger. The nursery also has a number, shape and colour of the week to focus the children's learning of mathematics even more. Children have good knowledge of mathematical concepts.
• Parents are very happy with the care provided. Staff communicate effectively with parents and keep them up to date on their child's development through an online system. The nursery also has a partnership with the local schools and teachers visit the children prior to their transition. The nursery promotes the importance of being part of the local community. For example, they have visited the local hospital and provided gifts for the midwives. Children are learning about the world around them.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen support for staff's professional development to focus more precisely on further developing and improving staff's practice and skills over time.