Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Otley

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children show that they feel happy, safe and settled in every room of the nursery. They develop strong bonds with staff and their care needs are met effectively. For example, staff prepare sleeping areas for babies with their comfort items from home. They follow babies' individual routines and know them very well. This has a positive impact on children's emotional well-being. Staff have high expectations for all children who attend. Toddlers thoroughly enjoy activities outdoors. Staff encourage them to talk about what might happen to the water in the pipes. Older children demonstrate a good knowledge of festivals and celebrations. Staff help them to develop their understanding of the wider world and people beyond their own community further.

Since the last inspection, the provider has strengthened the management team and raised the quality of care and learning for children. Staff have worked exceptionally hard to ensure that children's needs are met. They continue to evaluate the provision to maintain high standards. For example, staff focus on supporting toddlers to develop their physical skills and communication. Older children are encouraged to make choices about their learning. This has had a positive impact on children's levels of concentration and their behaviour is very positive. In addition, staff have responded to children's emerging needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They regularly take children into the community and local area, which has helped to rebuild their confidence in social situations.

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

• The curriculum is challenging, coherent and stimulating for children. Staff regularly gather information from parents about their children's knowledge and interests. They use this to accurately assess children's stages of development and provide exciting activities to help them to make good progress. For example, babies and young children show enjoyment as they make marks with chalk and paint. Staff encourage them to draw big circles and develop their physical skills. Older children further develop their small physical skills and begin to write numerals and words.
• Staff help children to develop good social skills and self-confidence. For instance, they sit with babies, and sing nursery rhymes and model the actions. Babies show delight as they join in with favourite songs. Toddlers learn the names of others in their group. Older children are encouraged to put their hands up and take turns in conversation. However, on occasion, some groups are too large for all children to join in and take an active part.
• The manager provides support to staff and inspires them to take pride in their roles. For example, she regularly completes learning walks and observations with staff to help them to reflect on their practice. Staff talk confidently about their group of children and are proud of the changes they have made. For instance, they contact local teachers to discuss how they can help older children to develop the skills that they need to prepare them for school.
• Staff say they feel valued and happy in the nursery. The manager prioritises staff's well-being and provides one-to-one meetings for them to discuss any issues. For instance, she has recently looked at how staff's work and life balance can improve, and gathered their views on this. New staff say that they feel welcomed and are happy with the induction process. They have recently developed their knowledge of the revised early years foundation stage and made changes to reduce the pressures of unnecessary paperwork for staff. This means that staff have more time to spend with children and provide better quality learning experiences.
• Children benefit from regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They thoroughly enjoy spending time in the garden and develop good physical skills. Staff encourage children to try a wide range of healthy food and are aware of any allergies or dietary requirements. Children wash their hands thoroughly indoors to promote good hygiene. However, there are times when this is not consistent outdoors, specifically when older children have their snack around the campfire.
• The manager and staff team develop and maintain effective partnerships to promote continuity for children. For instance, they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities effectively and work towards targets alongside parents and other professionals. Parents are very happy and leave positive feedback for the staff. They feel their children have 'hit many developmental milestones with staff' and the 'care provided for children is amazing'.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• consider ways to enhance group times so that all children can take an active part and benefit fully from learning experiences
• provide consistent messages to children about the importance of good hygiene, particularly during outdoor snack times.