Par Moor Preschool and Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff welcome children warmly into the nursery and spend time talking to parents to find out about children's start to the day. This helps children to settle quickly and enjoy the activities that await them. Staff are kind and caring and clearly know children well. Children show that they are secure in the routines of the day and develop confidence and a sense of belonging. Staff caring for babies are gentle and responsive, giving cuddles and reassurance when needed.

The curriculum is ambitious for all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff sequence learning so every child can build on the skills they have already achieved. Throughout the nursery, children are busy exploring, showing positive attitudes to learning. Staff play alongside children, helping them to explore their own ideas. Children spend long periods creating skyscrapers from a variety of construction materials, for example. They are enthusiastic and copy staff when they model how to play cooperatively together.

There is a focus on children's developing independence. For example, at snack time, children become adept at serving themselves and smile broadly, saying, 'I did it!' when they succeed. Staff are encouraging and give lots of guidance and praise, which supports children's good self-esteem.

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

• The provider is very reflective about the service they provide for children and families. Together with the dedicated staff team she has made significant improvements since the last inspection. For example, the provider has reviewed the support for children with SEND. The provider and staff monitor children's development to notice any gaps in their learning promptly. They now make timely referrals and work closely with other professionals to ensure children receive extra help when they need it. Children are safe and secure in the nursery.
• Parents are very happy about the care their children receive at the nursery. They speak highly of the staff and say their children enjoy attending. Overall, staff keep parents up to date with the activities that children are enjoying in the nursery, for example, through detailed conversations at pick-up times. However, they recognise the need to extend partnerships with parents further so that they are more informed and involved in their children's learning.
• Staff say they love working at the nursery and feel valued and supported by the provider. There is a comprehensive programme of professional development, and staff are very enthusiastic about developing their knowledge and skills further.
• Children are confident communicators. Older children talk enthusiastically about pictures they are creating, for example. They use a wide and varied vocabulary as they describe the colours and textures that make up their creations. Babies smile with delight as they join in with familiar songs and rhymes. Staff encourage them enthusiastically using interesting props to inspire their interest and extend their developing vocabulary.
• Staff know children well and encourage them to develop good social skills. Toddlers enjoy rolling a ball back and forth and saying the name of the child they roll it to. They show great delight as they play, learning to take turns and build relationships with their peers. Children are physically active indoors and enjoy playing outdoors in the fresh air. They benefit from freshly prepared, nutritious food and try vegetables they have been growing.
• The provider now has a settled team of staff who bring their individual strengths to the nursery. Overall, staff have a good understanding of child development and interact with children effectively to support their learning. However, this is not yet fully embedded consistently to improve the delivery of the curriculum. Occasionally, when staff interact with children during activities, they do not extend children's knowledge and thinking.
• The provider has developed strong links with other settings the children also attend and with local schools. This supports consistency and continuity for children and helps them in their ongoing good progress. Children look forward to moving on to school and eagerly talk about their new schools and teachers.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen the quality of staff's interactions with children to consistently support and extend children's thinking and learning as they play
• extend partnerships with parents to fully involve them in children's learning and development.