Millie's House Nursery & Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are safe and settled in this welcoming and calm environment. They develop close and trusting bonds with the staff, who have a caring and friendly manner. This helps to create a good foundation for children's future development. Children behave very well. Staff are positive role models and have high expectations of the children's behaviour. Children copy staff's positive interactions. They learn to speak respectfully to each other, take turns and be kind to their friends. Staff interact warmly with children during care routines, such as nappy changes, mealtimes and while washing hands. They talk about what they are doing with the children, make eye contact and sing songs. This helps children feel safe and secure.

Children are enthusiastic and active learners. They have lots of opportunities to play, indoors and outdoors. Children learn about nature through exploring in areas, including the mud kitchen, planting and gardening. They care for newly hatched chicks and discuss how much food and water to give them to help them grow big and strong. This helps children to understand the world around them. Children look forward to eating the healthy snacks and nutritious home-cooked meals that staff provide. They describe them as 'yummy' and 'delicious'. Children talk about the importance of eating fresh fruit and how eating grapes and oranges helps them to be fit and strong.

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

• Children develop their independence and self-care skills well. Staff support children to complete tasks, including dressing, going to the toilet and washing and drying their hands independently. Older children show confidence when putting their coats on and taking their shoes on and off. Staff use mealtimes to teach children how to use cutlery safely. Children pick up their toys when they have fallen and understand that this helps to maintain a safe environment.
• Staff provide creative and exciting experiences that children engage in. All children are making good progress. Any possible gaps in learning are quickly identified and appropriate support put in place. The curriculum is well sequenced, ambitious and challenging. Children are well prepared for the next stages of their learning, including moving on to school.
• The manager and staff build good relationships with parents, overall. Parents receive regular feedback on what their children have been doing during the day. Parents comment that they appreciate the hard work the staff do to support their children. Parents access an online system to view the progress their children make. However, some parents comment that they would like communication to be stronger and have more opportunities to support and extend their children's learning.
• Children are motivated and curious to learn. Babies enjoy playing with musical instruments and hearing the different sounds they make. Toddlers like to explore with paints, using rollers and paintbrushes to mix it together. They are excited to see the colours change and show their friends what they have created. Older children build an obstacle course so they can balance, jump, roll hoops and throw beanbags. They work together, carefully considering where to place resources and encouraging one another to carry on if they fall over.
• The manager and leaders have worked hard to address the weaknesses identified at the last inspection. They work closely with staff to support their learning through training and development. For example, staff complete professional qualifications in childcare. This is beginning to have a positive impact on children's achievements.
• Children of all ages develop their physical skills very well. Babies learn to sit up, crawl and walk confidently. Older children learn to run, jump, throw and balance on wooden beams. Staff plan opportunities for children to strengthen the small muscles in their hands. Children use spoons and squeeze tongs to serve themselves food. They confidently handle sieves, paintbrushes, rollers, spades and jugs. This helps to ensure that all children are well prepared for when they begin to write.
• Managers and leaders have high expectations and work hard to achieve the best outcomes for the children they care for. They work with parents to address any concerns about children's learning and development. All children, including those with special educational needs and or/disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen communication and partnerships with parents so they are able to contribute to their children's learning.