Little Muffins Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Recently, the nursery has gone through some changes. However, staff have worked hard to provide consistency for the children. This is through their nurturing approach and through fostering positive relationships. The children are cared for by staff who know them well and have high expectations for their progress.

Children play happily and show high levels of concentration. Staff play alongside children and respond to their ideas and interests. Children delight in blowing foam out of cardboard tubes and making 'snow'. Staff support children to extend their play as they use the foam to make a 'snowman'. They help children to share ideas and problem-solve by encouraging language for thinking. Children work together to achieve their goal and show pride and joy when it is done. Young toddlers enjoy knowing what comes next in a familiar book. Staff help children to make connections by offering corresponding toys.

The nursery is clean and well presented. Children enjoy activities set out for them or self-select from a variety of age-appropriate resources. Staff visually risk assess each room to keep children safe. The nursery 'golden rules' give clear expectations for behaviour. Staff remind children to use their manners and to show kindness to each other.

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

• Children show positive attitudes towards learning. Staff help children to follow ideas, which means that children are motivated and interested. Children wash dolls outside and enjoy squeezing the sponges to make bubbles and running the water through their fingers. Staff teach children about hygiene by reminding them to gently wash all parts of the dolls to get them clean. Young toddlers learn new language as staff introduce new words while they play.
• The nursery offers opportunities for physical play and exercise in an enclosed garden. Staff help children to master riding tricycles by pushing them along and helping them to place their feet on the pedals. Children are congratulated for their efforts and show happiness in trying. Older children enjoy an adult-led game of 'traffic lights'. They all listen and respond well to instructions. More children join in the game as the excitement and laughter grow.
• Parents are happy with the communication from the nursery. Staff share information on a parenting app and by email. A recent parents' evening also served as a social event where parents and staff could meet and chat. Staff share information about next stages in learning to help with consistency for the children. Staff help children with life events, such as the arrival of a new sibling, by using books, toys and discussion to help to prepare them.
• Staff support babies to settle by rocking them gently and showing affection.
• Babies are encouraged to stand and strengthen their core muscles by putting favourite toys just out of reach. Staff encourage toddlers to paint with coloured water in the garden. Children explore textures by adding sand to the mix and use their fingers and paintbrushes to paint the fence. This develops children's muscle strength in their hands in preparation for writing.
• Leaders are focused on training staff and improving their knowledge of child development and how children learn. The acting manager supports staff by being visible in the rooms and modelling good practice. Staff use planning to create activities. However, frequent changes and adaptations mean that the system is not robust. Nonetheless, children's needs are met by staff who know the children well and follow their interests.
• Staff support children who speak English as an additional language by learning keywords and phrases. Children are welcomed and spoken to in their home language by multilingual staff. The nursery works with outside agencies to support children with additional needs and disabilities. Targets and next steps are agreed and shared to help to provide consistency for children. Staff respond to individual needs and are knowledgeable about individual requirements. Staff manage food intolerances and allergies well. There is a robust system for dietary requirements and medication to keep children safe.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• settle into a consistent planning system, allowing staff to clearly understand expectations.