Little Giggles Private Day Nursery & Preschool - Great Moor

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff give children and their families a warm welcome as they arrive at the nursery. Close bonds are evident, and lots of giggling and laughter can be heard throughout the day. Staff motivate children to notice what is unique about themselves. For example, they help babies to recognise their reflection and facial features. Staff plan activities in the local community to provide children with an understanding of the world in which they live. These outings provide children with experiences they might not otherwise have.

Children demonstrate high levels of confidence and self-esteem. Staff teach them to be considerate towards each other. The children play cooperatively and follow each other's ideas. Babies enjoy exploring activities together. Staff teach babies to play peekaboo. Staff have established consistent routines and are skilled at supporting all children to follow them. For example, they use visual representations of the daily timetable and remind children of them before moving from one activity to another. Children particularly enjoy helping the staff. For example, at mealtimes, they help with setting tables and filling jugs with drinking water. Children are confident in their abilities and make good progress in their learning.

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

• The nursery has a well-embedded curriculum to support children's personal, social and emotional development to a high standard. As a result, children become confident and independent and develop a deep understanding of their feelings. The nursery staff are consistent role models, providing positive reinforcement. Children are resilient in their approach to learning, and develop meaningful friendships. The nursery equips children to regulate their emotions, meaning they use safe strategies when their emotions begin to feel challenging. Consequently, children are in tune with their emotions, which helps enhance positive learning outcomes.
• Overall, the education provided to support children's communication and language development is positive. Staff sing and read to children regularly. They plan learning to enhance children's vocabulary. However, this practice is inconsistent. Leaders are aware that there is more to be done to enhance the quality and consistency of interactions between staff and children. For example, children are not always given sufficient time to think and respond, or the opportunities to give detailed answers. Sometimes, others receive interactions that are too advanced for them to understand. This means that, at times, some children are not being challenged to expand their vocabulary and communication skills.
• The nursery provides families with ever-evolving support to help extend children's learning at home. For example, parents praise the shared information about children's different learning styles, or on how to support children with a current learning focus such as emotional regulation. This ensures that parents are well informed to help consolidate their children's learning at home, be it, for example, regarding the development of the small muscles in their children's hands or self-care skills such as toothbrushing.
• The support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is a notable strength. Leaders ensure that staff receive expert training and development. This means that the nursery truly understands the needs of the children, and tailors the education and care offered accordingly. The nursery understands that by meeting the needs of children with SEND all children benefit greatly, and make improved progress.
• Leaders strongly support staff's well-being and professional development. Arrangements for the supervision, coaching and mentoring of staff are well embedded. Leaders are experienced in delivering targeted training to support staff in their roles, and this has had a positive impact on the quality of education.
• Staff understand how to support children to develop their physical skills. They provide exciting activities that children eagerly explore, based on their interests. Babies stretch and reach for toys, pulling up to stand, and take their first steps as they develop the strength to begin walking. Children confidently climb steps and negotiate slides with support as they develop their balance and coordination. Older children show confidence in their spatial awareness and physical strength as they climb challenging equipment outdoors and learn to use wheeled toys. As a result, children make particularly strong progress in all aspects of their physical development.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen the delivery of the communication and language curriculum, to more consistently engage children in high-quality back-and-forth conversations that enhance their speaking skills.