Little People Day Nursery Aspull

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff expertly guide children through their development. Each experience is highly sequenced to ensure children have a secure foundation of learning to build upon. The manager has devised a curriculum which focuses precisely on the individual needs of all the children, with communication and language at the heart of everything they do. Children absorb the language-rich environment that surrounds them. As a result, they are exceeding in their language skills. For example, children from a young age use a wide range of vocabulary to describe and explain their understanding.

Staff ignite children's interests and are developing highly motivated children who are eager to learn. For example, children excitedly run to join in with the 'talking tub' activity. As the member of staff announces the end of the activity, the children eagerly ask for it to be repeated. Children have extremely positive attitudes to learning. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. The clear and consistent approach staff implement helps children to manage their own behaviour with ease.

Developing children's personal, social and emotional development is a significant strength within this nursery. Children are highly independent and confident to openly express their views. They show they are extremely secure in their surroundings.

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

• The manager is passionate about providing children with a high quality of education. Due to the impact of COVID-19, there is a strong focus on supporting communication and language. For example, staff use visual props throughout the nursery to help develop children's understanding. From this, babies show impressive understanding of what is happening next when they are shown a nappy. The coherently planned curriculum helps children make exceptional progress.
• All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are thriving. Staff have a comprehensive knowledge of all children. They act swiftly when they find an area of a child's development that may need further support. Staff's extensive understanding of the children is helping to ensure gaps are not forming in their development.
• The curriculum for literacy is impeccably sequenced throughout the nursery. Staff go above and beyond expectations to promote and improve children's literacy development. For example, from a young age, babies develop their whole-hand grasp with activities such as shredding paper. Toddlers pour water from jugs to strengthen these muscles. Pre-school children are enticed to make large marks in the air and transfer these marks to paper to refine these small-muscle mark-making skills. Children display strong motivation to develop their early writing skills.
• Children are exceptionally well behaved. Parents comment on how sharing the nursery's 'golden rules' with them has helped promote consistency with managing behaviour at home. This continuity for children helps them understand exactly what is expected of them.
• Immense consideration is given to children's health and well-being. For example, throughout the day, children engage in sensory calming experiences to soothe them and create a relaxing environment. All children excitedly join in with the 'daily mile' to support both physical and mental health. Pre-school children explain about oral health as they brush their teeth. Children have an impressive understanding of what helps them to feel calm and how to support their health and well-being.
• Promoting individuality and respect is a high priority for this nursery. Children are highly respectful of others. They learn about what makes them unique and develop an understanding of others' differences. The manager ensures staff are highly knowledgeable on supporting children who speak English as an additional language. For example, staff read bilingual books with children to develop language and help children feel included. Children are well prepared for life in modern Britain.
• Reflective practice is exemplary. Staff reflect on each area of the curriculum to continuously improve. For example, pre-school staff are aware that not all children have had experiences to develop their core muscles. Therefore, specific apparatus such as a climbing frame and tunnels have been introduced to the outdoor area to embed these skills. Children benefit from a thoughtful and reflective team which strives to achieve the best outcomes for them.