Little Peanuts Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in the nursery. Staff create a calm, nurturing environment, which enables children to play and explore. Babies benefit from a range of sensory experiences and thoroughly enjoy splashing in the water tray. Toddlers develop physical skills outdoors and explore the natural wildlife in the garden. Older children begin to develop the skills they need to move on to school. For example, staff encourage children to be independent and confident from an early age. Children know how to use the toilet and ask staff for help if they need it. Children's behaviour is very positive. Staff are very good role models and consistently model good manners.

Staff have high expectations for children and monitor the impact of the pandemic on children's learning. They complete regular assessments in partnership with families and create any specific target plans when appropriate. This helps to minimise gaps in children's development. The director and manager work closely with staff to support them and drive forward continual improvements. For example, staff welcome parents into the nursery to have settling-in visits with children. Children benefit from having a secure bond with their key person and relationships with parents are very positive.

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

• The director and manager have a clear vision for the curriculum. They support staff to focus on helping children build secure foundations for the future and promote a love of learning through play. Staff say they feel valued and supported by their leaders and managers. They are passionate about their work with children and strive toward excellence.
• Children show enjoyment in activities staff prepare for them. For example, young toddlers explore the sand tray with diggers. Older children use mirrors to draw their facial features and talk about the letters in their name. However, there are times when staff miss opportunities to challenge children further, such as moving onto bikes with pedals or extending their imaginative play.
• Staff who work with older toddlers have an excellent knowledge of what children need to learn and how they can support them. For example, children show excitement to go into a forest school session. Staff lead a story through the woods and extend this into making clay animal models. Children recite favourite story parts and have exceptional levels of concentration for their age.
• The key-person system is effective. However, children have strong relationships with all staff and show they feel safe in the nursery. Staff have an excellent knowledge of how to meet children's specific care and medical needs. For instance, staff access specific medical training and follow in-depth risk assessments to promote inclusion for all children and keep them safe.
• Children develop good personal, social and emotional skills. Young children show they can work in a small group and discuss safety in the forest. Older children learn about a range of feelings and begin to discuss why they might feel a certain way. Staff encourage children to 'be good listeners and be kind'. They provide specific praise for children, which helps them to know the things they have done well. Children show pride in their achievements and have high levels of self-esteem.
• Staff are supported by leaders and managers to improve their practice and skills. For example, staff who work with babies are aware of the importance of physical movement. The director has a comprehensive understanding of how to promote children's language skills and provides staff with training. However, staff do not consistently use new strategies to fully support young children.
• Partnerships with parents are very effective. Staff have face-to-face meetings with them on a regular basis to find out the most up-to-date information about children. This promotes continuity and consistency. Parents are highly complimentary about the staff and nursery. They say how they are continually impressed with the high standards and trust staff to provide the best care for their children.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• enhance staff's understanding of how to provide consistently high levels of challenge and extend children's learning through their play
• support staff to use their skills and strategies from their training to help young children to further develop their communication and language.