Partou Longlevens Day Nursery & Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Leaders and staff prioritise getting to know children and their families from the very beginning. This helps children and staff to form strong bonds, helping children to feel safe, valued and secure. As a result, children settle quickly and grow in confidence. Staff provide children with an interesting environment where they have opportunities to explore and make their own choices in their play. This motivates and encourages children to be independent and explore using their own ideas. As children play imaginatively, staff follow their lead. For instance, as children use props in the garden to make a pretend train, they excitedly tell staff where they are going and talk about what they need for their journey.

Staff are attentive and caring to the needs of children. For example, they offer comfort and cuddles and create cosy moments by inviting children onto their laps to enjoy books and to share stories together. Younger children eagerly choose books to look at and take to staff to read. Older children demonstrate independence and motivation in their learning. They have confidence to ask staff for help when they need it. For example, they wait patiently for staff to support them as they learn to use scissors and other tools to create their own artwork.

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

• Since the last inspection, leaders and staff have worked hard to make the necessary improvements to the nursery and the experiences that children have. Together, they have created a curriculum that clearly reflects what they want children to learn. Staff focus on helping children build the skills they need to progress to the next stage of their learning alongside using children's interests. Older children show enthusiasm for learning and are keen to take part in the activities provided. Staff working with older children offer appropriate challenge to support them to extend their learning. However, the implementation of the curriculum for the younger children is still developing. Although younger children are happy, they could benefit from more challenging learning opportunities.
• Throughout the nursery there is a clear focus on promoting children's communication and language development. Staff frequently read with children, narrate as they play, introduce new language and use children's love of singing to engage them. Children confidently talk about their games, recite familiar songs and talk about their favourite stories.
• Since the last inspection, leaders have worked closely with staff to ensure that their key-person system is strong and effective. Staffing arrangements are now consistent, and staff have a good understanding about children's needs. Partnerships with parents are strong, and parents reflect positively on the individual support that their children receive.
• Children throughout the nursery demonstrate positive behaviours and attitudes.
• From a young age, children learn to share, take turns and show kindness towards others. Children develop good friendships, engage well in activities and listen and respond positively to adult guidance. However, on occasions when children struggle to manage their feelings, staff are not consistent in supporting children to understand how to manage their feelings and behaviour appropriately.
• Children benefit from lots of fresh air, exercise and outdoor learning opportunities. Children of all ages enjoy being outside, and staff adapt their interactions well to engage children in physical play. Younger children enjoy using utensils to pour and scoop ingredients and make mud pies. Older children fill buckets and transport water together to fill up the water tray. They enjoy balancing, climbing and using hoops and balls to practise throwing and catching.
• Leaders and staff know the children well. Staff monitor children's progress closely to ensure that any gaps in children's learning are swiftly identified and support is put in place. Staff have a good understanding of how to support children's learning. They work in close partnership with staff and parents to develop personalised plans that address each child's individual needs.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• continue to develop the implementation of the curriculum for younger children
• implement consistent procedures for staff to support children to understand and manage their feelings and behaviour.