Little Lights Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy to attend the nursery. They leave their parents at the door and come in happily. Children move freely and confidently around the nursery as they choose their own play. They benefit from a wide range of enjoyable activities and experiences across all areas of learning and development, indoors and outdoor. The staff team design activities that stimulate and intrigue children. For example, at the mud kitchen, children cut and grate real fruits and vegetables to make soup.

Children develop good relationships with staff, who are supportive and attentive to their needs. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. For instance, children feel confident to speak to new people. They share their play experiences with visitors and tell them about their family. Children feel confident to approach the staff team for comfort and cuddles.

Children are respectful with their friends and adults. They say please and thank you to each other and the staff. Children share their ideas with the staff team, who listen and respond intently. This gives children confidence and they are eager to try things. Children work together well. For example, they work cooperatively together to build a volcano from recycled materials, sharing their ideas.

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

• All children, including those with special educational and/or disabilities and those with English as additional language, are making good progress from their starting points. The staff team works closely with parents and outside professionals to identify and support children to achieve to the best of their ability.
• The staff support children's independence. They encourage children to manage their self-care, dress themselves and, share and take turns. For example, staff support children to use the toilet and wash their hands independently. Children serve their own food at lunchtime.
• All staff understand the nursery's positive behaviour policy. However, some staff are more confident than others in adapting the strategies used to respond to different situations. Most of the staff team recognises that some strategies work more effectively than others for individual children.
• Relationships with parents are very good. Feedback from parents is extremely positive. Parents comment that they are informed about what their child is learning. This is done through regular meetings and termly reports. They work together with the staff team to support their children's learning at home. Parents are clear about how their child has made progress during their time at the nursery.
• The staff team treat children with respect. They share the plan of the day with the children. Staff explain what is happening and what is going to happen, such as when a planned activity has to be postponed. They listen to children's ideas and views and respond appropriately. For instance, children discuss the texture and formation of ice with the staff, who ask them relevant questions and give them enough time to process and respond.
• The staff team support children who struggle in an activity well. They recognise children's efforts and achievements. For instance, at snack, staff praise children when they succeed in putting fruits on their skewer. This helps children's self-esteem and willingness to try things.
• Children have access to a well-planned outdoor area. They have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, all children, including younger ones, ride scooters confidently, negotiating their space well. They learn to take and manage risks while moving planks of wood across to build an obstacle course. As a result, children's self-confidence and resilience are supported.
• The management is sensitive to staff well-being They recognise the strengths within the team and successfully promote staff morale. Managers listen to staff wishes and support them through their training and development. They do this by carrying out regular one-to-one meetings. Staff say that they feel very supported.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• provide more support for less confident staff to understand how to adapt behaviour management methods to different situations.