Merry Poppets Nursery Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children enjoy their time in this nurturing and welcoming nursery. The friendly and caring staff help them to settle quickly. Children develop strong relationships with staff who they seek out for support and comfort. This, and the familiar daily routines, helps children to feel safe and secure. Children develop focus and concentration as they fully engage in activities, both indoors and outdoors. For example, younger children enjoy group singing times as they rhythmically tap their knees and copy actions. Staff provide a good range of opportunities for children to practise their small-muscle skills and hand-eye coordination. For example, children squeeze oranges into jugs and confidently use pipettes to transfer the juice into other receptacles.

Staff are positive role models as they demonstrate kindness and good manners. As a result, children behave extremely well. Older children happily share resources and take turns, showing respect and kindness to each other. Younger children listen carefully to adults who gently support them to wait for their turn. Good manners are encouraged from an early age.

Children learn to be independent and make their own choices about their play. Younger children use spoons to feed themselves. Older children serve themselves and use knives and forks. Older children are independent in their self-care. They learn how they can stay safe when they help a soft toy called 'Risky Rhino' to make checks around their environment. Parents are very positive about the care their children receive. They feel well supported and informed by the staff.

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

• Leaders have designed an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum that builds on what skills the children already have. This is clearly displayed in each of the playrooms to support staff in helping children to gain the key skills and knowledge they need.
• The nursery staff gather detailed information about the children from parents when they first start. This helps to set an accurate starting point. They use this information to plan activities to support the child's interest and next steps. This helps children make good progress in their learning. Staff gather information about children's care routines. This helps staff to incorporate familiar routines from the start. For example, nurturing staff settle babies to sleep in similar ways to their parents, helping them to feel safe and secure.
• Parents are very happy with the nursery. They report that they receive lots of information about their children's learning and development. Parents explain how they can support their child at home. They say that their children enjoy coming to the nursery and chat about their activities when they come home.
• The quality of teaching is generally very good. Staff provide a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences that are open-ended and promote curiosity. Children are eager to participate, and staff engage with them during their play, following their interests. However, occasionally, staff do not always identify times in children's play when they could extend their learning and vocabulary further. This means that children are not consistently provided with high levels of challenge.
• Staff ensure that children are beginning to understand what they need to do to be healthy. Children are provided with nutritious, balanced meals and snacks, which they thoroughly enjoy. Older children enjoy serving their own vegetables. There are robust procedures in place for children with allergies or dietary requirements to promote their good health. Children understand hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before meals. They have lots of opportunities for physical play outdoors in the fresh air. Children learn about caring for their teeth through songs and cleaning pretend teeth.
• The nursery has made good links with the community, particularly for the older children. They enjoy visits from the fire service, helping them to learn about people who can help them. Children regularly use the local library to borrow books to follow their interests.
• Children are well prepared for their next stage of learning and move to school. For example, older children are supported by staff to recognise their names through self-registration. They put on their own coats and shoes.
• Staff feel very supported by the leaders. They have regular supervision sessions where managers ensure that they check the well-being of staff and are alert to workload issues. Staff report that they love their jobs and enjoy working in this caring nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to recognise opportunities when children's learning and vocabulary can be extended more effectively as they play.