Kids Planet Davenport

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this welcoming and nurturing nursery. Staff form strong, caring relationships with children and create a safe environment, where all children feel valued. The nursery's curriculum is designed to prioritise the prime areas of learning, with a strong focus on communication and language development. Staff confidently introduce new vocabulary, such as 'squeeze, float' and 'pour', during water play. These interactions help children expand their language and deepen their understanding of the world around them. Independence is well promoted, with children encouraged to make choices, use self-care skills and develop confidence in their abilities.

Overall, children show a positive attitude to learning and are curious and eager to take part in activities. They demonstrate growing independence and enjoy exploring their environment with confidence. Most children are beginning to understand expectations and respond well to gentle reminders from staff. While some children are still developing their ability to manage emotions and behaviour. Children's aspirations are listened to and celebrated. For example, when a child shared his dream of becoming a 'gas man with his own van', staff showed genuine interest and encouragement. This helps children to feel proud and inspired. Children also join in with regular yoga sessions, which help to support their emotional well-being.

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

• Leaders have designed a curriculum that is well sequenced and builds on what children already know and can do. They revisit the curriculum intent regularly to ensure that it is still effective and relevant to the current needs of the children. Although, staff have some knowledge around the broader curriculum intent, not all staff have a secure knowledge of the specific skills leaders intend children to learn. This means that on some occasions, activities and routines are not best matched to children's capabilities and some children lose interest in their learning.
• Staff use observations and assessments effectively. They identify any gaps in children's learning and development and put interventions in place to support where appropriate. Staff collaborate closely with external professionals to support children further. As a result, all children make good progress.
• Staff promote a love of reading in this nursery. Children have plenty of opportunities to explore and read books in the outdoor and indoor environment. Children are engaged in story time sessions and use finger puppets to bring the stories to life. Older children are developing their imagination skills as they create their own stories with loose parts and resources. This helps to develop literacy skills to support children in their next stage of learning.
• Leaders have a vision for the nursery to be more sustainable and environmentally aware. Staff support children to develop a sense of responsibility in taking care of the environment. For example, they have introduced an eco-committee of children, who work together to ensure all litter is in the bin and lights are turned of where not necessary. This broadens children's understanding of the world as they become positive members of society.
• Children are encouraged to adopt healthy habits and lead positive lifestyles. There are plenty of opportunities for children to develop their physical skills and move their bodies. Children take part in regular 'big chef little chef' cooking sessions. They learn how to make healthy meals and what foods are good for them. Children are learning some of the ways to look after their bodies.
• Children generally behave well and are beginning to understand rules and routines. Staff use agreed strategies, such as explaining why certain behaviours are not acceptable and how they affect others. However, these are not always applied consistently, which means children do not always receive clear or consistent messages about behaviour and its impact.
• Partnership working is a strength of the nursery. Parents comment the nursery and staff are 'fantastic'. Parents are heavily involved in the nursery and have a voice. For example, the nursery has introduced a parent committee. Although this is in its infancy, leaders have noticed a positive response. Staff share children's progress and ideas to support learning at home. The nursery provides home learning bags with a variety of topics to support parents. This provides continuity of care for children.
• Leaders prioritise all staff's well-being. They ensure their workload is managed well. Staff feel supported and enjoy working at the nursery. Staff benefit from supervision sessions and have access to a wealth of training and development opportunities. Leaders are reflective and continuously seek ways to improve the already good quality of care and learning they provide.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff understanding of the curriculum intent, so all staff can confidently identify and implement the specific skills leaders intend children to learn
• support staff to consistently help children to understand the impact of their behaviour on others.