Little Hulton Children's Centre Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children settle well at this inclusive nursery. Staff create an interesting learning environment in which children are safe and secure. Children arrive eager to learn. They greet staff as they enter with a smile and a hug. A culture of respect is evident in this nursery. Staff chat to parents, offering reassurance, guidance and support when needed. Staff use their knowledge of children's interests along with what children need to learn next to plan learning for the day ahead. Staff are excellent role models who carry out their roles with care and compassion. Children are learning to follow rules and understand the nursery routines.

The learning environment allows children to play and become immersed in learning. Leaders plan the curriculum with emotional regulation at the heart of it. They want all children to feel secure and happy. Staff are supported to create an environment in which all children feel a sense of belonging. Children have access to an abundance of activities and multi sensory experiences that help them feel ready to learn. Staff plan activities for children to discuss their emotions and identify feelings. Overall, the curriculum is focused to ensure all children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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

• Managers and staff are committed to removing barriers that families face in accessing education and care for their children. They adopt a proactive approach to support families. Staff complete thorough assessments of children's development. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities get rapid and targeted support to help them thrive. Managers create robust links with external professionals. Staff work closely with parents and carers. They swiftly put interventions in place to ensure all children progress.
• Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. Parents receive precise information about their children's progress and a wealth of information on how they can support and extend children's learning at home. Parents report the support they receive from the nursery as 'life changing' for their children and themselves. They explain how staff go the extra mile to ensure their children can thrive. As a result, parents feel valued, and a respectful culture exists.
• Children show good levels of independence for their age. They select their fruit at snack times and pour their own drinks independently. Babies drink from open cups and confidently use cutlery to feed themselves. Staff explain the journey to school readiness starts in the baby room. The planned curriculum supports children to build their resilience and confidence by completing tasks for themselves from an early age.
• Staff promote children's physical development very well. Babies and young children enjoy exploring the outdoor area. Children enjoy acting out 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'. Children giggle as they walk, run and climb. This helps children to develop their large muscles and stamina. Children love to learn outdoors and enjoy being physically active.
• Staff talk to children as they play and provide them with new vocabulary. Overall, children are supported to develop their communication skills. However, staff sometimes ask children questions in quick succession. Children do not have time to think, process and respond. This approach does not build children's knowledge of back-and-forth conversations effectively.
• In the main, children have positive attitudes to learning and are eager to take part in adult-led activities. However, staff do not ensure that they adjust the delivery of the curriculum, when needed, to help all children build on what they already know and can do. This means some children become disengaged and their learning is not fully extended during these times.
• The ethos in the nursery is based on respect and real care. Staff work tirelessly to ensure all children feel valued. They want children to enjoy their time in the nursery. Staff give all children specific praise and encouragement. This helps children to develop an abundance of self-confidence as they believe that they are unique and special.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help staff to improve their knowledge of effective questioning to further develop children's communication and language skills
• further strengthen the support for staff to help them to enhance the delivery of all aspects of the intended curriculum.