Little Hands Nursery School - Melbourn

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thoroughly enjoy attending this welcoming and friendly nursery. They show that they feel safe and secure. All children form close relationships with their key person, who knows the children and their families very well. Children display a very strong sense of belonging in the nursery. They play and explore with great confidence and independence. Children behave extremely well. Books and songs help them to manage their feelings and behaviour. Staff are very good role models and encourage the concepts of kindness, courtesy and respect for others. Children learn to share, take turns and play cooperatively with their friends. Babies receive lots of individual attention and enjoy cuddles in familiar and attractive surroundings.

The manager and staff arrange the nursery environment imaginatively and creatively. Children are eager to choose their activity and explore the many exciting resources. For example, they enjoy making their own play dough. They explore how it feels as they create objects. Children eagerly roll, pat and use cutters to make shapes. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise every day. This helps them to develop their physical skills and supports their good health and well-being. Staff expertly support and prepare children for their next stages in learning and for their move to school. They ensure that all children have a happy and enjoyable nursery experience.

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

• The manager is knowledgeable, highly skilled and dedicated to her role. She has regular discussions with her staff. This ensures that she is aware of any pressures of workload affecting their well-being. The manager recognises strengths in the staff's practice and provides them with constructive feedback. Staff work extremely well as a team and say that they feel very well supported.
• Staff support children's communication and language skills well. For example, children eagerly choose a 'Christmas song spoon' and enthusiastically sing the songs together. They take part in group activities that help them to listen, take turns and become confident talkers. However, some group times do not always fully engage and motivate the younger children, so they learn as much as possible.
• Staff plan many activities that promote investigation, exploration and experimentation, with children using all their senses. Children excitedly explore the water tray with lemons, oranges, tea bags and herbs. They also love to explore everyday objects and the many fascinating items on the curiosity shelves.
• The manager and staff encourage children to be respectful and contribute positively to society. They have discussions about people less fortunate than themselves and collect items for the local food bank. Children enjoy their visits to the local care home and share stories and songs with the residents.
• Staff know the children well and understand their developmental needs and interests. They interact enthusiastically with children's play and learning. However, sometimes they do not make the most of the opportunities that arise to fully extend and challenge children's learning.
• Children's cultural diversity is respected and valued. The manager has attended recent training to support her in providing an inclusive environment for all children. Staff use very effective books and resources to support children's learning about diverse cultures. Children take part in activities to celebrate festivals and special days that are important to the families at the nursery.
• Staff attend specialised training to help them to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They develop strong partnerships with parents, schools, other early years settings and professionals. Staff ensure that all children receive the support they need. They use additional funding well to benefit individual children in their learning and development.
• Parents speak very highly of the staff and they are extremely happy with the nursery provision. Parents have access to the online assessment system, which means they receive continual updates of their children's progress. Parents comment positively on the many opportunities their children have to explore the outdoor area. They describe staff as professional, enthusiastic and very well suited to their role.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review and improve the organisation of group times to engage and motivate younger children, to help extend their concentration and increase their participation
• support staff to make more effective use of spontaneous opportunities to extend and challenge children's learning.