Little Plums Nursery Rotherham

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children show that they feel safe and secure at this welcoming nursery. They develop a strong sense of belonging as there is a very effective key-person system in place. Staff know the skills and knowledge they expect children to learn and develop over time. They regularly assess children's progress, which helps them to plan for what children need to learn next. Children show curiosity and enjoyment as they explore a broad range of fun and stimulating activities. For example, older babies play in the mud kitchen. They scoop soil onto plates and delight as staff join in. Older children have fun playing with water. They observe with amazement how blue-coloured dye mixes with green as they pour it into the water.

Staff have high expectations for all children, including those with additional needs. They are good role models. Children behave very well and know the routine. Staff are aware of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's communication and language skills, and have strategies to support them. For example, they make excellent use of a puppet, 'Barry', across all age groups, to engage children in stories and discussions. Children respond eagerly to questions and comments made by the puppet.

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

• Staff understand the importance of developing children's communication and language. They support children who speak English as an additional language very well. They know the language that children speak at home and try to learn a few key words. For example, posters are displayed around the nursery, together with basic signs, in Malayalam, Punjabi, Urdu and French.
• Children of all ages sing nursery rhymes. This helps them to develop intonation and rhythm in their speech. Toddlers have fun choosing which rhyme to sing next. They pick a wooden spoon from the pot and look at the picture on the bowl. The toddlers begin to accurately match the pictures to the rhymes. This helps to promote early reading effectively.
• Staff demonstrate that they know their key children well. They understand their level of development. Leaders provide 'umbrella topics' which build on and ignite children's interests. Staff then plan activities based on children's individual interests and developmental needs.
• There is a strong focus on children's well-being and emotional health. For instance, staff regularly use a five-point scale to measure children's emotional well-being and involvement. This assists staff to give children the emotional support they may need.
• Staff plan activities for children, such as recognising numbers and counting plastic sea-life creatures, to help develop their mathematical skills. However, they do not always support children to extend their mathematical knowledge.
• For example, staff do not make frequent use of mathematical words in children's everyday activities or help them to practise their counting skills as they play.
• Staff promote children's independence, well-being and healthy living. The cook prepares well-planned, nourishing meals and snacks in line with children's dietary needs. Children confidently select their own cutlery and crockery at mealtimes. However, tissues are not always available or accessible at a height suitable for the children. This means they cannot help themselves when they need a tissue to clean themselves. Staff do not always encourage children to sanitise their hands after they have wiped their nose or coughed. This compromises children's good health.
• Inclusive practice is securely embedded at the nursery. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) is effective in her role. She takes prompt action to address identified gaps in children's learning. She works in close collaboration with other professionals to work on shared targets and to provide continuity of care.
• Staff build strong bonds with parents. They use an online application and face- to-face communication to keep parents informed about children's progress and their care. Parents feel that staff are extremely supportive. They speak highly of the manager and staff. They comment on how happy their children are.
• Leaders are highly qualified, knowledgeable and ambitious. They regularly reflect on the service they provide to families. Staff receive regular support and coaching to help them develop their practice. Staff express they are happy in their roles and feel their personal well-being is well supported. This creates a positive atmosphere for children to learn in.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• develop the implementation of the mathematical curriculum to support children to use numbers, count and develop their understanding of mathematical concepts during their play
• enhance learning opportunities for children to consistently develop their independence skills and extend their knowledge about health and hygiene routines.