Mimi's Nursery LTD

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive happy and are warmly greeted by staff at this extremely friendly and welcoming nursery. They develop strong attachments with their key persons and, as a result, new children settle with ease. Staff are extremely positive role models and have high expectations for children's behaviour. They support children in a calm and gentle manner. Consequently, children rapidly learn the rules in the nursery and behave well. They are eager to develop their independence and try things out for themselves. For example, they self-register, recognising their names and photos, and learn to dress themselves and hang their coats on their pegs. Children use jugs skilfully as they pour brightly coloured rice and help to clear away at lunchtime.

Staff plan a fun and exciting curriculum and use children's interests to create highly motivating activities and experiences. Children learn valuable skills and gain knowledge to progress as they move through the nursery. For instance, staff teach children about sea life and the concept of sharing as they read a favourite story about a rainbow fish. Children enjoy exploring their natural surroundings and show great curiosity. For instance, staff recently encouraged children to help to create a nature area for wildlife. They support children to observe the many different butterflies and bees that visit the garden. Staff teach children about the important part bees play in the environment. All children make good progress from their starting points in learning. Staff identify any children at risk of having gaps in their development.

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

• Staff promote healthy lifestyles. Children learn about the different fruits and vegetables that they share with their friends during snack time and why it is important to eat healthily. Staff provide children with plenty of opportunities to be physically active. For example, when outdoors, they encourage children to use wheeled toys, take turns on the slide and complete obstacle courses.
• Managers offer regular supervision sessions and encourage staff to reflect on their practice. They are always evaluating the nursery. Managers and staff work together to make changes to drive the nursery onwards and make improvements. Staff feel very well supported and managers ensure that they get the training they need to maintain high standards.
• Partnerships with other professionals, including speech and language therapists, are effective in helping children to achieve their goals. Staff monitor all children's progress closely. They support children extremely well with their language as they use what they have learned from training to plan highly stimulating activities, such as 'special time', using musical and illuminated animated toys. Staff constantly repeat new words and encourage children to join in with key phrases and songs. Where appropriate, staff use visual cues and picture representations to help children with their understanding.
• Staff use settling-in arrangements to build strong relationships with parents and carers and children. They gather information to plan familiar care routines for children, helping to ease the transition. Staff continue to strengthen the relationships with parents using a range of communication methods, including face-to-face meetings and through an online system.
• Parents are extremely appreciative of the care and support that they and their children receive. Staff share educational activities with parents to extend their children's knowledge at home. This helps children to refine their skills and continue to develop. Staff are aware that children use technology at home. However, they do not teach them about online safety as part of the planned curriculum. Furthermore, they do not share information with parents about the importance of keeping their children safe while using the internet.
• Staff introduce children to a wide range of books and use a range of props to create sensory stories. This enhances children's enjoyment and helps them to develop a love of books. Staff model language effectively through singing and read enthusiastically to children in groups.
• Children learn about the people and places that make up their own community. For example, staff plan visits for children to the local library and farm. They organise special celebrations throughout the year to help children to gain an understanding of different cultures and festivals, such as Lunar New Year and Diwali, and what life is like in modern Britain.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• provide a greater focus in the curriculum on helping children to develop an understanding of online safety.