Kindercare (Hgte) Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This is a friendly, welcoming nursery. The caring staff form warm relationships with children, who are eager to enter and find their friends. Older children enthusiastically talk about their experiences at home and make good friendships. Babies and toddlers confidently explore a variety of safe and interesting resources.

Children's behaviour across the nursery is very good. Children are kind and considerate to each other. Staff use effective explanations to ensure that children are learning to understand the needs of others. They consistently talk to children and babies about being kind and helping each other. They give clear reasons for any boundaries set, ensuring that everyone is kept safe. For instance, when staff ask, 'Why don't we run inside?', one child says, 'we might fall over', and another says, 'we might wake the babies up', and one says, 'we can run and run outside'.

Children develop confidence, agility and their large-muscle skills. For example, pre-school children confidently move their bodies around and thoroughly enjoy an outdoor 'animal yoga' activity. They show determination and resilience as they try hard to capture the selected pose of a dog, frog and butterfly. They learn to listen and follow instructions from adults. This helps children develop the skills they need to be ready for school when the time comes.

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

• The new manager is focused and ambitious for the nursery. She is very clear about what she wants children to learn. Overall, most aspects of the curriculum are planned well, particularly for older children. Staff help build on what children already know and offer challenge to help them develop their learning. However, at times, the intended learning is not as well understood by staff working with the younger age groups. This means that babies and toddlers do not benefit consistently from the same high-quality education to help them make the best possible progress.
• Children's safety is given high priority by all staff. For example, the team has recently reviewed and tightened the staff whistle-blowing policy; the team has also tightened the outdoor risk assessments, as long-term building contractors are working next door to the building. The senior leadership team evaluates practice effectively and makes improvements, such as developing staff's knowledge in areas including 'safe sleep', to better support younger children.
• Children's key persons are quick to notice their well-being and are sensitive and reassuring at all times. This supports children's sense of belonging and helps to develop self-esteem. Staff ensure there is good continuity as each child moves from one room to another. Children visit their new rooms until they are comfortable to play and learn independently.
• Overall, staff support children's language development effectively, including for children who speak English as an additional language and for those with speech delay. However, on occasion, staff working with younger children do not consistently build on children's attempts to speak. For example, during a song session, staff did not recognise which songs excited all the toddlers to sing, so they did not take the opportunity to repeat it again.
• Staff help children to learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and children are offered home-made, nutritious meals throughout the day. The chef and staff are aware of children's individual dietary needs and have very effective procedures to ensure these are safely supported.
• Staff know families well and maintain regular contact with them about their children's learning. Key persons build trusting relationships. Parents mention the regular reassurance given, particularly when their children first started at the nursery. In recent feedback, parents state that 'The nursery is amazing, and staff are very helpful and explain everything.'
• The nursery has undergone a number of staff changes following the COVID-19 pandemic. The new team works well together and is enthusiastic. The manager is sensitive and respectful in supporting staff's well-being. For example, she values their ideas for improvements. The senior leadership team is keen to support staff's professional development. This includes welcoming a representative from the nursery to group quality assurance meetings.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help staff working with younger children to develop a clearer understanding of what they want children to learn and build sequentially on their learning
• provide even more opportunities to enhance children's communication and language skills across all age groups.