Little Blossoms Childcare

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children's experiences at this warm and welcoming nursery provide them with an excellent start to their early education. They benefit from nurturing care, in a calm and purposeful environment. Highly skilled staff pay close attention to ensuring children's emotional needs are met effectively. There is a strong-key person system in place, but it is also evident that all staff know all of the children extremely well. There are always cuddles available from staff if children feel unsettled. All children are valued. Staff implement effective systems to help even the youngest children to express their preferences, for example about what they want to drink or where they want to play. Older children play together exceptionally well. They often become engrossed in their play and talk to their friends about their ideas, even when staff are not involved in the activity. Staff help children to resolve any minor conflicts themselves. This helps to create an atmosphere where children show respect and empathy for each other.

The progress children make from their starting points is exceptional. Staff spend time observing children as they play. They find out about their family lives and their interests. This supports staff to make sure that the opportunities for children to learn and develop are relevant and engaging. Staff show considerable skill at knowing when to join children in their play, and when to allow them time to explore independently. This means children remain motivated. They also develop their concentration and perseverance. Children are extremely well-prepared for their next stage in learning.

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

• The inspirational manager, with valued support from her deputy, leads the staff team with very clear direction. Staff welcome the support and encouragement they receive in order to improve their own practice. They also comment on how their well-being is promoted. Considerable emphasis is placed on ensuring staff recognise how young children learn. This helps to ensure the experiences provided are appropriate for individual children's age and stage of development. The manager is an excellent role model. She seamlessly coaches staff so they fully understand how to deliver the highest standards of care and learning.
• There is a strong curriculum vision within the nursery. Staff have worked together, taking inspiration from a variety of different sources, to decide what they want children to learn. This is then translated into opportunities to promote children's curiosity. Every area within the nursery and all resources, both inside and outdoors, have a clear purpose. Staff speak confidently about the intent of the activities and experiences they plan. This is both what they hope children will learn in general, and also specific learning goals for individual children.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive superb support. Staff are alert to identifying children who may not be making as much progress as they should. Where appropriate, referrals are made to other agencies. The manager ensures that staff have dedicated time to spend with other professionals when they visit the nursery. This helps to ensure staff benefit from the expertise of specialists, such as physiotherapists, and information can then be shared with parents after the visits. Additional funding for children with SEND is used effectively to support their development.
• There is a strong focus on supporting children to become confident communicators. Babies are exposed to a rich variety of vocabulary as they play. Staff sit with children at mealtimes and support them to join in with conversations. Children are given time to formulate responses to questions and to express their opinions. Staff know how to sequence children's learning, so they become increasingly fluent when speaking.
• Children's needs are at the centre of decisions about the operation of the nursery. Extra support is provided for children who need it when settling in or moving to a new room. This helps to ensure they feel safe and secure. Mealtime and sleep arrangements are carefully considered and reviewed regularly. Staff are mindful not to interrupt children's learning unnecessarily. At the same time, they recognise that children do need to be introduced to some routines. Children clearly enjoy being given responsibilities such as setting the table. They beam with pride when they are praised for remembering to put things away when they have finished playing with them.
• Children benefit from healthy snacks and meals. Arrangements for children with specific dietary requirements are appropriate. Children's good health is further promoted through spending plenty of time outdoors. Younger children enthusiastically learn to kick and throw balls. Toddlers help to invent their own obstacle courses. Older children have opportunities to learn about keeping themselves safe when climbing on tyre swings. This supports their physical development and their understanding of risk.
• Partnerships with parents are a considerable strength of the nursery. Parents greatly appreciate the regular updates they receive about their children's learning and development. They say that the manager is highly approachable and invests a great deal of time in offering them advice and support if it is required.
• The nursery has established strong links with the local community. This includes visits from residents of an elderly care home. Children also learn about the wider world through a link with a nursery in India. These opportunities help children to gain an understanding of differences and similarities between themselves and others. It also enriches their learning experiences.