Kids 1st - Jesmond

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and settled and thrive in this welcoming nursery. They arrive eager and excited for the day ahead. Staff and managers happily greet families and make time for them to talk and share information should they need to. This helps to ensure parents leave their children knowing they are safe and well cared for. Relationships with staff are good. Children seek the support of staff, who automatically give cuddles when children are upset, and children seek their help when needed.

Management create and implement an ambitious, meaningful curriculum. There is a strong focus on ensuring children feel safe and secure. This helps children to become confident and independent learners. For example, babies confidently explore their environment with staff close by to encourage them. Staff support children's learning. For example, they talk to children about pumpkins and how colours change as they mix paints. Staff follow older children's interests in the garden as they investigate with how they move on balancing beams.

Babies enjoy interactions with staff and beam with excitement as they receive cuddles and encouragement. Older children demonstrate kindness to others and have an understanding of the importance of sharing.

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

• Nappy routines are well organised, and staff use this time to strengthen bonds with children, as staff sing and chat to children. However, the organisation of routines, such as snack and mealtimes are not used effectively and opportunities to extend and consolidate children's learning are not maximised.
• Staff support children's interest and enthusiasm for books. Staff read to children and involve children in storytelling. For older children, they use question to encourage children to predict, and retell the story. Younger children enjoy time when they cuddle up with staff as they listen to stories.
• The nursery is a very busy environment with a wide range of experiences on offer. Children are able to choose activities, and be involved as they wish. However, staff do not always encourage children who are quiet and less confident to engage in activities, to fully extend their learning.
• Staff support communication skills when children are involved in focused activities. They speak clearly and give an ongoing dialogue, pose questions to children and model language. For example, when staff ask children 'do you think it will fit in the box?' children respond appropriately.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported by their key worker. They have additional support from designated leaders who are knowledgeable and experienced. They seek support from external professionals and implement any strategies required.
• Behaviour management is predominantly good. Staff have high expectations for children. They take time to explain to children the consequences of their actions and the reason for group rules, such as, 'we have kind hands at nursery so we do not make our friends sad'.
• The management has a clear understanding of the curriculum. They plan clear learning intentions to support children's individual development in line with expectations at specific ages. This helps to identify gaps and supports staff to provide appropriate activities.
• Managers have a clear understanding of the nursery's strengths and areas for development. Secure recruitment procedures are in place. They complete regular supervision sessions and use these to identify staff training and development. Staff comment that they are well supported by the management team.
• Partnerships with parents are a strength of the nursery. Staff work closely to ensure from the very start they have a wealth of information to support children needs. This enables staff to plan for children's progress immediately. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress and how to support and extend their learning at home. For example, the nursery provides activity bags linked to certain topics, such as the arrival of a new baby.
• Parents comments are extremely positive. They comment this is a 'magical place for children and children are keen and eager to attend, the nursery provides flexibility for parents who need to change their working hours, and staff genuinely care for their children.'

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review staff practice to ensure all children, particularly those who are quieter and less confident, are able to engage fully in the experiences offered
• strengthen the organisation of some daily routines to ensure these are consistently used to extend and develop children's learning.