Nightingale Nursery Sawley

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff warmly welcome children and families as they arrive at the nursery. Children happily leave their parents and carers and show excitement as they greet their friends. They demonstrate a positive attitude to learning as they quickly engage with the activities on offer. Children freely explore the resources and confidently make their own choices about what they want to do. Staff know children well and carefully consider their developmental stages and individual interests when planning the curriculum. This helps all children to build on their skills and develop positive attitudes to learning. For example, staff recognise children's interest in water play, so they encourage them to wash and clean the dolls. Children become engrossed in the activity and develop their physical skills and coordination as they handle toothbrushes and squeeze sponges.

Staff skilfully foster warm and affectionate relationships with children. They work closely with parents to help all children to settle-in quickly and feel secure. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. They use consistent strategies to support children to manage their emotions and learn how to play cooperatively with their friends. Children are polite and show consideration for others. They take turns during activities and pass toys to one another. The harmonious and supportive atmosphere helps all children to thrive and make good progress in their learning and development.

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

• Since the last inspection, the provider has worked hard to address the actions raised. Intensive training has been undertaken to ensure that all staff understand and know the procedures to follow should they have any safeguarding concerns. This has helped to improve staff's knowledge of whistleblowing procedures, should they have concerns about a colleague's conduct.
• Staff supervision arrangements help leaders and managers to identify appropriate training and additional support staff may need to further develop their practice and skills. The leadership team recognises that systems to monitor teaching throughout the nursery is an area they are continuing to improve. Further coaching will help to support staff to enhance their teaching skills and recognise how to extend children's learning to the highest level.
• Leaders and managers work effectively with staff to implement an ambitious curriculum that is relevant and meaningful for children. For example, they plan activities around children's specific needs and developmental stages, while remaining focused on each child's personal interests. This ensures that children thoroughly enjoy their play experiences.
• Staff give good attention to promoting children's health. Children benefit from frequent opportunities to go outside and get fresh air. They have fun as they engage in physical games, such as riding on wheeled toys and using equipment to climb and balance. In addition, children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and freshly cooked meals. However, staff are not consistent in the way they organise snack time. This limits the youngest children from engaging in quality interactions with others and further developing their social skills.
• Children learn to be independent from a young age. Babies and toddlers confidently make choices and select their own play equipment. Older children find their name labels and hang up their belongings. They learn to use cutlery appropriately and pour their own drinks. Staff help to prepare children well for their transition into school.
• Staff know the children well and work closely with parents to identify and meet children's individual needs. They are quick to recognise when children might benefit from additional support and take action to involve relevant agencies. This ensures that all children are supported to make progress.
• Staff interact well with children. They reinforce key language and vocabulary as they play alongside children. This helps children to build on their communication skills as they confidently engage in conversations with others. Staff ask relevant questions to establish what children already know and encourage them to use new words they have learned. Children beam with delight as they are praised for their efforts.
• Parents comment that staff build positive relationships with children and families. They value the communication systems in place that help them to know what children are doing and the skills they are developing. Staff provide a range of information to help parents extend children's learning at home. Parents are encouraged to share their family activities to help staff understand children's previous experiences.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help staff to improve routines to further support children's social and communication skills
• continue to improve monitoring systems that support staff to further develop their teaching practice, so children gain the most from learning opportunities.