Millies House & Nursery Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are very happy and secure in this homely nursery. They quickly form close relationships with their key person, who interacts warmly with them. They form friendships with other children attending. This means they are eager to come to nursery. Children behave very well, they know to share and what is expected of them.

Managers and staff have high expectations for every child attending. They find out about their individual interests and needs from the onset. Children spend their time purposefully engaging in a variety of stimulating and age-appropriate activities, which capture their unique interests. For example, children have great fun identifying different animals and the sounds they make. They recall trips they have made to the zoo and farm. Children learn about the importance of recycling. Babies thoroughly enjoy exploring sand and grasp objects.

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

• The nursery has made significant improvements since the last inspection and have addressed all previous actions. The new manager works closely with early years advisers to make improvements. Ongoing support and development opportunities have been implemented to help all staff build on their knowledge and teaching skills. An effective key-person system is in place, which helps children to feel secure and settled in the nursery. The revised curriculum has improved opportunities and outcomes for children. For example, increased opportunities for physical development and a stronger focus on communication. The managers continually look for ways to improve the quality of the provision.
• Staff share good relationships with parents. Parents comment staff are caring and their children enjoy attending nursery. Staff find out about children from the start. Newsletters, online communication and meetings help keep parents informed. However, not all parents are clear about ways to work with the nursery to extend and support their children's learning at home. As a result, children's learning is not being extended as far as possible.
• Children's health is supported well. Children have opportunities to role play people who help us, such as dentists and nurses. They learn about keeping their bodies and teeth healthy. They learn about the importance of a healthy diet. For example, staff talk to children about healthy eating as they pretend to cook in the mud kitchen. Children recognise the importance of good hygiene. They demonstrate this as they pretend to wash their hands before cooking, during role play.
• All children make progress in relation to their starting points. Staff observe children and track the progress they make. They identify any areas where children may need support, to ensure they don't fall behind. Staff understand the importance of working with other professionals when the need arises. This helps to ensure that children receive consistent support in their care and learning. Children are confident, motivated to learn and develop independence from an early age. This helps prepare them for the next stage in their learning. The nursery shares links with local schools to support and prepare children for their move on to school.
• Staff encourage children's communication and language. They make eye contact with babies and response to the sounds they make. Children focus, listen, and learn new words as they explore flour, water and leaves and talk about textures. They become engrossed in a story about caterpillars. Staff capture children's interest by using props. Children learn new words, such as "cocoon". Children who speak English as an additional language are supported well, and they have opportunities to use and hear home languages in the nursery.
• Staff help children to grow in confidence, and support their care need well. For example, babies' routines are known by staff, and sleep and changing routines are conducted with sensitivity. Staff talk gently to babies and explain what they are doing. Staff help babies develop their large muscles by encouraging them to stand. Children learn to understand feelings. and to respect others. They celebrate different events throughout the year.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review sharing of information about children's care and learning with parents to ensure that all parents are helped to support children's learning at home to enhance their learning even further
• identify an even more targeted plan for professional development to increase knowledge and skills further.