Little Poppets Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children at this setting make good progress. Staff provide them with a language-rich environment where their communication skills and vocabulary are well supported. 'Snack and chat' is a unique time. Children enjoy their snack, while they sit in a circle. The children talk to each other and initiate conversations. Children talk about bicycles and helmets and staff talk about bicycle safety. All children join the conversation, sharing their experiences from home and enjoy listening to their peers. They develop language and social skills needed for the next stage of their learning.

Children behave well. They share toys and interact with each other. Children demonstrate strong friendships and look after each other. Children wave and say, 'good morning', and make sure that everyone is included.

Children are motivated and eager to learn. They join activities with excitement and have a positive attitude to learning. Children listen carefully to adults reading a story. They answer questions and are fully engaged in their learning. Children are independent. They have many opportunities throughout the day to develop these skills. Children put their coats and bags away, pour their own drinks and serve themselves lunch.

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

• Staff provide many resources for excellent home-learning opportunities. Children can choose a book to take home and share with parents. The manager also provides children and families with regular activities that link to what the children are currently learning. For example, the children are learning about autumn and collect autumnal resources from their gardens to share in the setting. Parents comment that these activities are enjoyable, and they appreciate being involved in their children's learning.
• Staff provide children with a well-sequenced curriculum. They appreciate the importance of children's well-being and prioritise this, along with personal and social skills. Some members of staff are very experienced and knowledgeable. Staff use their knowledge of child development to plan purposeful activities for the children. They track children's learning and progress and quickly identify any delays.
• Staff arrange the environment well to support children's language development. Children initiate conversations and staff provide activities that develop their communication skills further. However, staff do not consistently use skilful questioning techniques to encourage children's critical thinking. They sometimes answer their own questions before allowing children time to respond.
• Children have access to a large, exciting outdoor environment. They explore a range of activities that they select independently. Staff promote children's self-confidence and self-esteem. They support children to take well supervised risks. For example, staff watch closely as children take a ladder and place it against a tree. Children check the ladder is sturdy and take turns climbing up.
• Staff promote children's mathematical development. They skilfully weave mathematical concepts and language into activities. For example, they discuss the sizes and shapes of the natural objects the children have collected. This helps children to develop their mathematical skills and prepares them for their next stage of learning.
• Children learn about the community and different people. They read a range of books and celebrate traditional events, such as Chinese New Year. This helps children develop respectful attitudes. However, staff do not fully explore opportunities for children to learn about the culture and heritage of those attending the setting. This means children's understanding of diversity in modern Britain is less developed.
• The manager has a high regard for the staff's well-being. She ensures the staff receive tailored support, dependant on their circumstances. All staff receive regular supervision, which is embedded in the setting's practice. Staff access regular online training.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help staff develop effective questioning techniques to further enhance children's critical thinking and extend their learning to the highest level
• enhance opportunities for all children to celebrate their own cultural backgrounds, and learn about the people and cultures around them.