K & O Childcare Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive happily at the nursery and are greeted warmly by staff. They enjoy a range of learning experiences that help them to make good progress in their development. Babies enjoy sensory play as they explore a range of textures with their hands. Staff are kind and nurturing, which helps babies to feel safe and secure. Staff offer consistent, supportive interactions and introduce new language to build babies' vocabulary. For example, as babies look at books, staff enthusiastically introduce the word 'stomp' as they talk about elephants.

Older children have fun playing with their friends. They work well together as they make train tracks and navigate where pieces should go. Children recall their own experiences as they talk about going to Norwood Junction train station. All children benefit from well-thought-out outdoor play experiences. Children use their senses as they explore the mud kitchen and talk about textures. They learn about growing and planting and explore the minibeast zone.

Children behave well. Older children understand the routines such as helping to put away the toys. Staff make this task exciting by asking children to help tidy away 'Super quick like super heroes'. Younger children learn how to share and take turns. Children are supported to manage their feelings as staff take time to listen to them and value their contributions.

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

• Leaders and managers have been proactive since the last inspection. They have evaluated practice and implemented effective monitoring systems. Previous actions raised have been addressed, so that regulatory requirements are met. This means children are safe, well cared for and make good progress in their learning from their starting points.
• Staff work well as a team and receive good support to carry out their roles effectively. Staff say they enjoy working at the nursery and feel their well-being is supported. Staff have regular training opportunities to develop their own skills. Staff working with the babies have recently completed 'blossoming babies' training, which helped them to re-organise the environment to provide more visual stimulation.
• Children learn skills to help prepare them for their next stages in their learning. They learn to be independent and develop writing skills. Older children pretend to write out appointments in the doctor's role-play area. Children develop early literacy skills as they look at recipe books and pretend to make pasta dishes.
• Children are sociable and overall their language is supported well. However, on occasions, staff do not always allow children sufficient time to respond to questions. This means children do not always have enough time to communicate their ideas. Additionally, the noise levels in the older children's group becomes quite high. This can impact on children's ability to concentrate while completing planned focus activities.
• The arrangements to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are effective. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to offer a consistent approach. This ensures children receive tailored support to help them make good progress.
• Parents are very happy with the care provided and feel that their children have made good progress. They say that the staff are friendly, approachable and supportive. They say they have seen their children's language and communication skills develop since attending the setting. Parents receive good feedback from staff and are encouraged to be involved in nursery life.
• The nursery is inclusive and staff support children to develop a strong sense of belonging. Older children make handprint T-shirts to remember their friends in preparation for moving on to school. Staff recognise the importance of supporting fathers to come into the setting, so that children benefit from positive role models.
• Staff support children to develop healthy lifestyles. All children benefit from regular outdoor play and being physically active. Children are reminded about the importance of regularly drinking water. They are provided with a good range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. Staff have positive discussions with children about what foods are good for us.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help staff develop children's learning further by allowing children more time to respond to questions and help them to have more time to communicate their own ideas and thoughts to develop their language even further
• consider how to reduce background distraction for the older children to help them engage more during focused activities.