Little Blossoms Day Care Nursery Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and settled in this warm and welcoming nursery. On arrival, they are greeted by their friends, who hug them affectionately. Children have good relationships with staff who know them well. They chat happily about their journey and the day ahead. Children are excited to get started and smile with anticipation. This is because the activities on offer are carefully planned around children's interests.

Babies enjoy exploring with paint and other sensory resources. They giggle as brushes tickle their toes. Those who are learning to walk have lots of opportunities to develop their physical skills, both indoors and outdoors. Older children talk enthusiastically with the inspector about 'Karen the T-Rex' and her many adventures, while others make a 'tea party for a tiger'. The curriculum is focused and ambitious for every child. Staff have set clear expectations for behaviour. As a result, children are focused and engaged in their learning.

Children benefit from many opportunities to learn about the world around them. They enjoy trips out in the local community, where they visit a variety of shops and parks. Children visit places of worship and learn about different faiths and cultures. They enjoy trips to the local travel agents where they learn about countries and travel. They thoroughly enjoy their time at the nursery.

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

• Children benefit from a programme of activities that they enjoy. The curriculum is designed to promote all areas of learning through a mix of child-led and adult-focused activities. Activities are planned around children's interests, and as a result, children are motivated to learn. However, some staff do not understand the building blocks of knowledge that children need to develop early literacy skills. For example, the curriculum planned to support children to recognise and write their name is not sequenced in a way that supports their understanding. This hampers children's ability to develop their early literacy effectively over time.
• Staff demonstrate clear expectations of behaviour, and as a result, children behave well. Children are kind, caring and always happy to help. For example, when water is spilt onto the floor, a child brings a cloth to help clean it up. This is quickly met with lots of praise and encouragement from staff.
• Children's communication and language development is supported well. Staff offer a narrative as children play. They provide lots of opportunities for children to sing songs and rhymes. Children of all ages enjoy listening to stories that are read enthusiastically by staff. As a result of these supportive strategies, children are becoming confident communicators.
• Mealtimes are a social occasion. Older children enjoy helping to set the table. They carefully pour their own water and talk with their friends. Staff encourage discussion about living a healthy lifestyle and the importance of brushing teeth. Babies and younger children are supported to eat independently. They receive lots of praise and encouragement as they give it a go. As a result, children develop a good understanding of the importance of eating healthy foods.
• Children are keen to be independent and are proud when they accomplish a task. For example, a child is excited to tell the inspector that she has done up the zip on her coat. However, sometimes, opportunities to promote the development of younger children's independence skills are overlooked. For example, staff sometimes do not allow younger children to do things they can already do for themselves. Children are not consistently encouraged to wash and dry their hands or sit on a chair independently.
• Parents speak very positively of the nursery. They are happy with the care and education that their children receive. They mention the many communication strategies used to inform them about their children's learning. They talk about the great relationships their children have with staff.
• Leaders and managers work hard to support the training needs and well-being of their staff team. Staff benefit from access to an online learning platform that supports their professional development needs. Staff also have regular catch-ups with leaders to ensure that their well-being is monitored. Subsequently, all staff feel happy and valued.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• ensure that younger children are consistently supported to develop their independence skills
• ensure that staff understand the building blocks of knowledge that children need to develop early literacy skills.