Keep Fit Nursery Stockton LTD

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children show they feel happy, safe and secure in the nursery. They run into the room and hug staff, showing excitement to see them. Staff are kind, caring and enthusiastic. They know children and their families very well. This helps them to meet children's individual care needs and maintain positive relationships with parents. For example, parents come into the nursery to help their children settle and pass messages on to staff. Staff have high expectations for all children. They provide one-to-one support for children with potential special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) as often as possible, despite there being no funding allowance yet. Staff promote children's positive behaviour. Children benefit from clear boundaries and are well-mannered.

The provider works closely with the manager and staff team. They have developed the curriculum to provide children with secure foundations for their learning. Staff focus on supporting children in their personal, social and emotional development. Children learn how to share, take turns and be kind. Staff are aware of the impact of the pandemic for children and families. They offer flexible sessions and tailored settling-in procedures. Children enjoy meeting a range of visitors to the nursery, such as the music and library service. This helps them to broaden their experiences and develop new skills.

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

• Staff are excellent role models for children. They consistently build up children's confidence and self-esteem. Children talk about how well they have done after completing jigsaws. Young children take part in circle times and benefit from the praise they receive from staff. Staff consistently use stars to help children reflect on their feelings and behaviours. This is effective in promoting children's positive emotional well-being.
• Children show enjoyment in activities and are keen to join in. Staff carefully plan experiences, so they are exciting and interesting for children. For example, older children gather excitedly around the tray to make their potions. Staff support them to take turns and make predictions as they mix the ingredients. Children show delight as the potion begins to fizz and foam.
• Staff who work with young children focus on developing their communication and language skills. For example, children repeat keywords and benefit from hearing new vocabulary during their play. Staff speak clearly and provide children with time to respond. However, there is less focus on this for older children, including those who show potential delay in this area.
• The provider and management team ensure that staff have access to a wide range of professional development opportunities. This helps staff to meet children's needs. For instance, staff who work with babies understand the importance of building a secure bond and gather detailed information about their routines. Staff are very passionate about their work with children. They show high levels of commitment and dedication.
• A strength in the nursery is the way staff celebrate children's backgrounds and other cultures. For example, young children say 'hello' and greet their friends in Polish, as this is a child's home language. Older children begin to use the toilet and staff know the keywords in their home language to ensure that they are supported swiftly. Children develop respect for each other and learn about other communities and places in the world.
• Staff promote children's good health and independence. For example, young children use the tongs to self-serve fresh peppers at snack. Older children pour their own water. Toothbrushing is part of children's daily routine at nursery. This helps to promote their self-care skills and oral hygiene.
• Children have plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills. Staff use facilities in the leisure centre, such as the hall and soft play. Children enjoy using the outdoor area and search for bugs in the soil. However, staff interrupt learning outdoors and take children inside, despite them showing deep levels of engagement.
• Parents leave positive feedback about the nursery. They have ample opportunities to share suggestions which staff respond to quickly. Parents are very happy with the support they receive. They say their children are very happy here and they have strong relationships with staff.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• focus staff teaching to support older children's communication and language development during play and planned activities
• enhance staff teaching in the outdoor area, to ensure that children who prefer to learn outdoors can access the full curriculum.