Loversall Farm Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive enthusiastically at nursery and greet staff warmly. They confidently say goodbye to parents and settle quickly into the routine of the day. Staff are good role models. They help children to understand how to work together to create a calm, respectful environment. Children behave well and understand the rules of the setting. They know how to play cooperatively with their friends and are kind and well mannered as they talk to staff and to each other. Children display a firm sense of belonging and make their own choices in their play and learning to support their evolving likes and interests.

There is a firm focus on immersing children into their immediate community to help them gain important social skills. Children enjoy the extensive outdoors and benefit from exploring the vegetable garden. They enjoy taking part in planting and cookery activities and visits to the adjoining farm. This helps children to become more curious of nature and the wonders of the wider world around them. They also develop a healthy attitude towards, and understanding of, food that they eat.

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

• Children are making good progress in their early literacy skills. They learn to recognise their own name and are beginning to become interested in the sounds that represent the letters of the alphabet. Children show great delight in listening to engaging and lively stories. Children enjoy repeating rhyming words.
• Effective self-evaluation is informed by staff's and parents' views and children's progress. Management and staff take rapid action to address any areas for improvement identified. Additional funding is used well to enhance children's learning and development. As a result, children make good progress from their starting points.
• Partnership working with parents is exceptionally strong. Staff work closely with parents to build relationships that will benefit the children. The effective key-person system ensures that staff provide children with emotional comfort during the day. Parents are fully involved in their child's learning and are extremely happy with the service provided. They say that it is the best nursery in the area, that staff are fantastic and that children love to attend.
• Staff help children to develop positive attitudes towards healthy lifestyles. They provide healthy snacks and meals that are balanced and nutritious. Children thoroughly enjoy exploring the outside play area. They benefit from regular physical activities, including football with an outside provider.
• Children thoroughly enjoy singing songs and nursery rhymes, joining in with actions and words. Staff give children time to develop their own narrative as they engage in imaginative role play. In addition, children play with real fruit and vegetables to explore the taste and smell. They are eager to develop their imagination and mathematical skills.
• Overall, the curriculum is well thought out. Staff plan and provide an exciting range of enjoyable activities that build on children's interests. They identify what children need to learn next. However, they do not consistently share this information with all staff working with children. As a result, staff are not always able to build on this when supporting children's play and learning.
• The manager makes good use of supervision meetings and staff meetings to provide staff with regular feedback and discuss management of their workload. For example, she ensures that staff receive time within the working day to complete paperwork. Staff are appreciative of the way in which the provider supports their well-being.
• Staff support children to develop their confidence, overall. However, when it comes to carrying out small tasks for themselves, such as putting on their aprons, taking off wellington boots and blowing their noses, staff are are sometimes too quick to step in and complete these for them.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• ensure that all staff are aware of what children need to learn next and use this information effectively when supporting children's play and learning
• strengthen opportunities for children to build on their independence.