Mommabears Day Nursery and Preschool Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thoroughly enjoy their time in nursery. Close relationships have formed between staff and children. Cuddles and affection are readily given and received. Children confidently move around the nursery environment and choose from a wide range of activities and resources. They thoroughly enjoy sensory experiences, such as exploring slime and sand. Children run their hands through the slime and then raise their hands and see how it runs through their fingers. Staff encourage children to think about how it feels with words such as 'soft', 'hard' and 'runny'.

Children work well together to create a train track and carefully manipulate pieces so that they link together. They delight in creating their own models using various body parts that they add to a potato body. Children laugh loudly, showing each other what they have created.

Children relish time spent outdoors playing in the garden. They create their own car wash and, together, become involved in washing the nursery's cars and sit-on motorbikes using sponges and different-size paintbrushes. Children concentrate on making lots of bubbles, squeezing the sponges over and over again to make as many as they can.

Children enjoy using their imagination and recreate known, familiar experiences. They concentrate as they undress and dress the different dolls and take for them for a short walk in the dolls' buggy.

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

• Staff plan an interesting curriculum that takes account of the differing ages and abilities of the children. They use information gathered from parents about their children to ensure a seamless transition from home into nursery. Staff use their observations and assessments of children involved in activities and children's interests to plan effectively for children's future learning. They share ideas with parents of ways that they can continue their child's learning at home.
• Managers and staff are committed to continually developing the service they provide. They work closely to ensure that children receive good-quality care and learning opportunities. Managers recognise the skills of their staff team and are proactive in their approach to supporting staff to continually develop their knowledge and skills.
• Interactions between staff and children are warm and loving. Children are eager to share their experiences with staff and talk fondly about their families. Staff enjoy listening to what children have to say. However, there are times when staff ask children questions but do not give children time to think about what they have been asked and reply before they ask another question or give them the answer.
• Parents and grandparents are very happy with the service provided for the children. They look forward to hearing about the children's day and the new skills that they are developing. Parents access lots of information through an online application used within nursery, which tells them about the different activities that children enjoy and their progress and development.
• Staff broaden children's understanding of the community around them, and they enjoy walks to places of interest in the local area. Staff use this time to reinforce to children the importance of staying safe when out, such as when crossing the road.
• Children learn about similarities and differences. Positive images of people from around the world and people with different abilities are reflected in resources and books. However, opportunities for children to see families who are different to their own are not yet established.
• Children enjoy freshly prepared meals each day that take account of their individual dietary needs and preferences. There is plenty of food for the children to have additional helpings if they wish to. Mealtimes are relaxed occasions and children develop independence, using appropriate cutlery. Staff provide support where needed. Fresh drinking water is available for children throughout the day.
• Time to rest and sleep is incorporated into the day, and quieter areas within the nursery rooms enable children to sit quietly if they wish to relax. Independence is encouraged at all times, and children are confident in the routines of the day. Older children access the bathroom independently and younger children have their nappies changed regularly so they feel comfortable.
• Behaviour within the nursery is good. Children learn the importance of sharing and taking turns as they play. Staff are positive role models and praise children throughout the day, recognising their good behaviour.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• give children time to think about any questions asked, formulate their response, and reply before asking another question or giving them the answer
• provide more opportunities for children to learn about families who are different to their own.