Just Imagine Day Nursery - Canvey Island

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children enjoy their time at this friendly and welcoming nursery. They settle quickly in the well-resourced rooms with staff they have developed strong relationships with. Staff respond positively when children need reassurance, offering cuddles and kind words. Children are happy and confident as they explore the environment. They build friendships and play well together.

Children are very well supported by knowledgeable staff who are sensitive to their unique needs and abilities. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points. When required, staff work with a range of professionals to get children the help and support they need.

Babies enjoy taking part in sensory activities, for instance with malleable dough and water. Staff introduce words such as 'slimy' and 'splash'. Toddlers spend time exploring the home corner. They decide what they need to do to keep their babies warm and what food they should cook for lunch. Pre-school children delight in exploring the mud kitchen. They use weighing scales and measuring cups and discuss the length of time it will take to cook their cakes. This strengthens their mathematical understanding.

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

• Since the last inspection, managers and staff have taken positive steps to address the areas needing development. They have worked with the local authority and have sought out relevant training opportunities. The manager continually evaluates the provision and, in partnership with her team, makes changes that will enhance the quality of care and education they offer.
• The environment is set up so that children can engage in self-chosen play, both indoors and outdoors. Children explore independently, and staff remain close by to guide and support their learning through interactions that are tailored to children's individual interests and development stages.
• Improvements have been made to the way staff interact with the children. Staff provide a running commentary to children's play that introduces new words and strengthens children's communication and language skills. Children are then heard using these words in their play. Staff have developed skilful questioning techniques, which encourages children's critical thinking skills and extends their learning.
• Children behave well. Staff have clear rules and boundaries that they reinforce. Staff are proactive and generally take action before behaviour issues occur. For example, they provide additional resources if they notice there are not enough for the amount of children that wish to use them. However, staff do not always provide suitable explanations to support children to develop a deeper understanding of the rules and boundaries. For instance, staff remind children not to run around the table without telling them why this could be dangerous.
• Children are beginning to develop their independence and self-care skills. However, occasionally, staff do things for the children they could do themselves. For example, staff put on children's coats and shoes, spread the toppings on their crackers and serve their food. This limits children's opportunities to practise these skills themselves.
• Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and wipe their own noses and put the tissues in the bin. However, staff do not encourage the children to wash their hands after they have finished. In addition, staff do not wash their own hands after helping children wipe their noses. This does not promote positive attitudes towards hygiene practices.
• There is a strong partnership with parents. Parents speak positively about the setting. Staff share detailed information about what children are experiencing at nursery and what they want children to learn next. Parents are given suggestions about activities they could complete with their children at home. This helps to establish a consistent approach to supporting children's learning.
• Staff benefit from a supportive and encouraging manager. Their welfare and well-being are important to her. Staff morale is high and teamwork is effective. This means that children are cared for by happy and motivated staff.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help children to develop a deeper understanding of the rules and expectations in the nursery
• maximise opportunities for children to develop their independence during daily tasks and self-care routines
• ensure all staff implement the nursery's hygiene procedures in relation to handwashing.