Little Bears Day-care

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The staff provide a nurturing home-from-home environment. They have strong settling-in procedures that help to ensure they are aware of the individual needs of children and their families right from the start. The staff greet children warmly, which immediately gives them a sense of belonging at the nursery. Children know their routines well. They confidently hang up their coats and belongings and engage in activities of interest alongside their friends. Those children in need of a healthy breakfast help themselves and enthusiastically chat to staff. All children are confident and happy during their time in this inviting nursery.

The staff plan a curriculum that places a strong focus on children's personal, social and emotional development. Children are learning how to deal with their emotions as they begin to socialise and share with their friends. For instance, when small disputes occur, staff encourage them to think about the feelings of others and manage these situations themselves. Children's behaviour is good and appropriate for their stage of development.

Children show good negotiation and problem-solving skills. For example, they delight in painting with rollers and adjust wooden blocks so they can reach higher. This helps to build their stamina, their muscle strength and an awareness of the space around them.

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

• Leaders and staff work well together to create a welcoming environment. They reflect on their practice and are constantly reviewing what needs to be improved to help benefit children. For example, they have significantly improved the outdoor play area. This has widened the outside learning experiences on offer and has supported children in developing a variety of new skills.
• Leaders plan a curriculum that is responsive to children's emerging needs. The staff regularly observe children and make accurate assessments of their on-going progress. However, they do not use information to plan rigorously for children's next steps in their development.
• The staff support children's early literacy skills well. For instance, children build on the small muscles in their hands and fingers as they practise using a variety of tools, for example during messy play activities. Older children use writing for a purpose, such as to write notes while they are pretending to be doctors and patients.
• Leaders' intent for children to become independent is implemented effectively. For instance, children put on their own coats and shoes ready for outdoor play. They are encouraged to use the toilet independently and wash their own hands. The staff encourage children to blow their own noses and place the used tissues in the bin. Children are keen to carry out small tasks and help to set up the table ready for their lunch.
• Children benefit from nutritious meals and snacks. They enjoy fresh air and exercise daily. However, the staff do not consider strategies to help build on children's awareness of why it is important to make healthy choices and live a healthy lifestyle.
• The staff establish secure and trusting relationships with children. This helps children settle quickly into the setting. Children are confident in approaching staff for hugs and sharing their thoughts and feelings.
• The staff treat children as unique individuals. They use diverse strategies, which reflect on children's individual learning needs, to help children understand how to share and take turns as they engage in their play. Children behave well and are learning how to be kind and considerate to each other.
• Partnerships with parents are a strength of the nursery. The staff share information through digital media, parent consultations, and discussions at drop-off and collection times. Parents receive newsletters and engage in the nursery forums that focus on aspects of children's care and development needs. They comment they feel involved in the nursery and their children's learning. Parents state that staff are always available to offer advice and support when needed.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to plan more precisely around children's individual next steps in learning
• build on children's awareness of why it is important to make healthy choices and live a healthy lifestyle.