Nanny Bears Childcare

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children share warm and secure relationships with staff. Staff get to know the children well and plan effectively for their individual needs. They are kind and caring in their approach and engage children effectively in a wide range of learning opportunities. Children enjoy a broad and interesting curriculum. They regularly demonstrate what they have learned through lively conversation with staff. For example, they recall dressing in the colour purple for Epilepsy Awareness Week and learning facts about the condition.

Children behave well. They understand the 'golden rules' and happily follow the routines. Children have a range of activities to develop their gross and fine motor skills. Outside, they confidently climb the ramp to go down the slide. They manipulate and mould dough, as they use their imagination and are creative. This helps strengthen the small muscles in their hands in preparation for early writing.

Staff are excellent role models and teach the children to be respectful towards one another, helping them to understand that everyone is different and that is okay. They help children to develop good communication and language skills as they provide a running commentary while playing alongside them and extending their learning.

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

• Staff plan a clear and well-targeted curriculum, which is based on what they know about the children and their interests. This enables staff to support children to develop their social and communication skills as they learn to be independent and help the oldest children prepare for starting school.
• Staff in the baby room know their children well and provide a caring and nurturing environment. They encourage children to learn new skills and provide targeted activities that develop their physical skills and emerging language.
• Staff are attentive and caring towards the children and ensure their individual care needs are met in respect of sleep times and nappy changes. Staff have a gentle approach that promotes children's feelings of well-being at nursery. Staff take time to cuddle and reassure children who are upset, which enables them to return to their play.
• Staff encourage children to listen well and communicate their thoughts and ideas. They use books successfully to support children's communication and language and build on their vocabulary. For example, children engage in lively conversation with staff about making nettle tea. They use familiar phrases from the story 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' as they walk through the long grass outside.
• Older children enjoy singing songs and linking sounds to letters. They show a keen interest in rhyming words and demonstrate a wide vocabulary. For example, on finding a molehill during a sound walk outside, children excitedly tell staff that the word 'mole' rhymes with the word 'bowl'.
• Staff teach children how to lead healthy lifestyles well. Children have lots of opportunities to be active. For example, they enjoy moving their bodies in a variety of ways as they practise yoga poses. Children's appreciation of healthy living is enriched through walks around the immediate vicinity, listening to and learning about different birds. Children benefit from the home-cooked meals prepared and provided by the nursery chef as they enjoy sociable mealtimes.
• Children engage in an interesting range of learning experiences that capture their attention overall. However, at times staff do not adapt the learning opportunities as well as they could, to ensure they meet children's individual needs and that all children in the pre-school and toddler room benefit.
• There are good partnerships with parents. Effective communication enables parents and staff to share and gain information about the children. Parents appreciate the staff's professional and friendly approach. They feel well informed about their children's progress and report that their children are very happy and settled.
• Managers are reflective and have a clear vision to provide a high-quality provision. Staff receive regular opportunities to discuss and identify their strengths and areas for development. Staff are enthusiastic and committed practitioners, who are happy in their role. Managers ensure that all staff receive focused professional development opportunities. This helps to build positive working relationships and ensures that staff feel valued. It also contributes to the happy and friendly environment, which impacts positively on children's well-being.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to engage and adapt their teaching further during activities, so that all children benefit as much as they can from the learning opportunities.