Kids Planet Woodstock Road

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children demonstrate that they are happy and settled at the nursery. They clearly enjoy the curriculum activities on offer and have fun participating in them. Children are interested and excited by the activities and become absorbed in these. For example, younger children enjoy sensory play where they have great fun exploring with herbs, flowers and real vegetables in the garden. Staff have strong expectations for children. They know them well and have a clear vision of what they want the children to learn. For instance, staff understand the intent behind all activities is to support children's communication and language. Therefore, staff engage purposefully with the children, providing a narrative of what they are doing to help children hear spoken language fluently.

Children play in a safe, inviting and child-friendly environment. All children enjoy being outside and there is a strong focus on outdoor play. Children of all ages are learning to take risks as they use various equipment to create obstacle courses, climb and balance. This promotes children's physical development well. Children behave well, and many have built meaningful friendships with each other. For example, children play well together and older children are heard checking in on their friends to ensure they are alright. All children, including those who receive additional funding, demonstrate that they are making good progress.

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

• The manager and leadership team have made significant improvements to the nursery since the last inspection. They have taken action to address the previous actions raised and minimised all safety concerns. All staff have received regular support and training to enhance the quality of their teaching. For example, recent training has strengthened staff's knowledge and understanding of the care of babies.
• The staffing team has increased sufficiently in the last few months and overall, staff provide good quality care and education for all children. However, at times, some staff's teaching and practice are not precise enough to support children's independence and fully extend their learning. For example, some staff undertake tasks for children that they are capable of doing by themselves. In addition, at times, they do not allow children time to process their thoughts and respond to the questions they ask of them. The manager is aware of staff's strengths and aspects of their practice that can be developed further.
• Staff plan and provide a varied curriculum which helps children make good progress in their learning and development. Staff support the children well and follow their interests. For instance, as babies explore different textures, such as sand, staff talk to them about how this feels. They model feeling the sand through their fingers to encourage the babies to explore.
• Children behave well. They show kindness and consideration for each other and have clearly developed lovely friendships. This is seen as children call out to one another to play with them on the slides and sing songs using their pretend microphone. Staff support children's understanding of rules well and talk to them about consequences to their actions, such as kicking the cones. Younger children are taught how to sit safely, when staff ask them if their feet can touch the floor.
• Staff promote communication and language well. Staff increase children's vocabulary as they read stories and sing spontaneously with children throughout the day. For example, as toddlers play with pretend animals in the water, staff sing 'Old MacDonald had a farm'. Older children use scientific language, such as 'pipette' and 'syringe' when they explore fruit juice and create potions.
• Children have a good understanding of the importance of maintaining good hygiene routines. For example, as children wash their hands before meals, staff encourage and talk to the children about the significance of washing between their fingers. Staff understand how to cater for children's specific requirements, such as those with food allergies. All children enjoy a healthy and well-balanced snacks and meals, freshly prepared for them by the chef. Children benefit from regular cooking activities with the chef which helps them to build skills for their future.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• monitor the quality of teaching even more closely to identify further areas where staff can develop their practice and extend their teaching.