Ladybird Childrens Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children show curiosity and enthusiasm in this friendly, caring nursery. Staff demonstrate high standards of care for children through well-established daily routines and their warm and positive relationships. Children behave well and happily take part in all activities and routines. Staff know children very well and they use this knowledge to tailor their support to meet the needs of each individual child.

Staff ensure that children's progress in all areas of learning is carefully planned and sequenced. For example, staff purposefully arrange the baby room to support babies' physical development. Babies learn to crawl, climb and cruise. As they grow and move through the nursery, children progress to participating in dance and yoga sessions. This provides opportunities for children to enjoy physical activity and helps to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Staff support children's independence skills. Children are happy and confidently explore the nursery's resources and activities They demonstrate their imaginative, creative and communication skills as they lead their own play. For instance, pre-school children decide that they would like to make pirate hats using scissors, and staff fully support this and share in their enthusiasm. As a result, children are highly engaged in their play and learning.

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

• Staff take time to get to know each child in their key-person group. They use this detailed knowledge to plan for children's next steps in learning. The manager carefully monitors the progress which children make. She uses this information to ensure that children's immediate needs are responded to.
• Staff seek to deepen children's knowledge and skills across all areas of learning. For example, during a yoga session, children show fantastic listening skills and demonstrate coordination and balance as they move their bodies into animal poses. Children giggle with delight as they join in with their friends making the accompanying animal noises.
• Staff support older children to use and understand high-level vocabulary, such as by including new words in conversation. For instance, at lunchtime, staff tell children they will be very 'hydrated' after drinking their water. Children are keen to practise and use new vocabulary with staff and their peers.
• Some members of staff in the nursery have excellent interactions with children. For example, they confidently engage children in exciting activities and children are very enthusiastic in their participation. Children's progress is visible. For instance, staff skilfully support children to use their bodies in new ways during yoga or carefully support their scissor control while making pirate hats.
• However, less-experienced staff members do not yet have the confidence to engage in interactions at this higher level. Managers have identified this as a key area of focus and have plans in place to mentor staff who are less experienced in their role.
• Staff take pride in their relationships with parents and other settings and agencies. This strength is evident in feedback from parents, who state they are very happy with the quality of care and education provided. Parents comment that they receive good communication from staff regarding their child's progress. This joined-up approach supports the needs of all children.
• The nursery cook works in collaboration with the wider nursery team to ensure that all children's dietary requirements are adhered. In addition, information regarding children's dietary requirements is clearly communicated across the nursery. This ensures that children's good health is prioritised.
• Staff recognise the specific challenges which children face following the return to nursery after the COVID-19 restrictions. Staff have implemented effective strategies to support children through this time. As a result, children have made good progress in their communication and social skills.
• The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) works alongside families and healthcare professionals to ensure that children with additional needs are well supported in their care, learning and development.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• continue to develop the skills and confidence of less-experienced members of staff to raise the quality of their interactions with children to an even higher level.