Ladygrove Day Nursery And Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children demonstrate that they are settled, happy and confident within the nursery. They benefit from a good range of activities that are planned purposefully to meet individual learning needs and developmental stages, ensuring all children are supported effectively. All children have their individual needs met well. Staff are good role models and, overall, maintain a welcoming and clean environment for children to play and learn within.

Staff are kind and considerate to the children. They implement a good curriculum that is focused on developing children's curiosity and independence well. For example, children of all ages have fun exploring with a wide range of sensory materials, such as mixing flour with ice water and mark making. Activities such as these help children to develop their finger muscles as they manipulate, stretch and explore the materials in their hands.

Children are motivated learners. They are continuously busy and well supported by staff who know them well. Children, including those that are new to the nursery, show they feel safe in the environment by approaching and interacting with inspectors. They are starting to make good friendships and enjoy playing with and alongside each other. Staff communicate and engage purposefully with children, supporting their understanding, listening and speaking skills.

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

• Leaders and staff create a warm and welcoming environment for the children and provide inclusive care for all. Staff work well together to plan and implement the nursery's overarching curriculum ethos. The key-person arrangements are well established, with staff knowing the children well. Staff understand how children learn, and evidence shows that children make good progress.
• Staff support children's physical development well. Older children are encouraged to be curious and to take managed risks as they create and test out obstacle courses. Children show enthusiasm for outdoor play, engaging actively with resources such as balls and climbing equipment. Staff are well deployed throughout and maintain a safe environment to give children the freedom to explore.
• Staff foster a love of language and literacy by introducing children to a wide range of stories and books. Staff read books with enthusiasm to children to enhance enjoyment and engagement. Furthermore, they model language effectively through singing, where they creatively adapt songs to reflect children's ideas, such as linking lyrics to the snacks being eaten or animals featured in play. This responsive approach supports children's communication and language skills successfully.
• Children develop mathematical language well, as staff thread this through many activities. For example, children are encouraged and supported to explore shapes of puzzle pieces and problem solve as they turn them to fit within the puzzle board. Alongside this, staff promote positive behaviour well by encouraging children to be kind and helpful. As a result, behaviour across the setting is consistently well managed.
• Staff have professional and friendly relationships with parents and carers. They keep appropriate information about the children's health and care needs. However, not all parents feel this is communicated as effectively as it could be to help them feel well informed about their children's learning. Despite this, parents speak positively about the care and support their children receive, noting that any concerns are addressed promptly.
• Children benefit from freshly prepared, healthy, and nutritious snacks and meals that support their individual health and dietary needs. Staff understand children's healthcare requirements and consistently follow the nursery's policies and procedures for medication administration, illness management and nappy changing routines. Parents are kept informed of any incidents or changes in their child's well-being, helping them make informed decisions about their child's care when needed.
• Staff promote children's independence well. Overall, younger children are encouraged to feed themselves, while toddlers receive support in using open-top cups. Children regularly manage their own self-care, such as washing hands and changing clothes after sensory play, helping them to build self-sufficiency and confidence.
• Leaders are confident and foster a supportive culture, as reflected in staff's feedback. Staff benefit from regular supervision and training opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills. However, at times, the ongoing coaching and mentoring of staff does not focus enough on providing clear feedback on their practice so that they can use this to further develop the quality of teaching.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• further extend the information shared with parents and strengthen consistency between home and the nursery
• sharpen the monitoring and evaluating of staff practice to help to identify any inconsistencies and raise the already good levels of practice even higher.