Piglets Playgroup (Wolviston Base)

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are greeted at the nursery door by kind and smiling staff, who help them to settle quickly. Staff have close bonds with the children and know them well. They create inviting, stimulating and eye-catching environments that entice children into play. This means that children become focused on activities for prolonged periods of time.

Babies are cared for by attentive staff, who offer cuddles and reassurance, and ensure their individual routines are followed. Toddlers and pre-school children initiate their own play and choose resources that are easily accessible for them. While outside, children use hoops and beanbags to create their own game. They throw the beanbags in an attempt to get them to land in the hoops. They enjoy counting how many they throw, saying what colours they are and rejoicing when they are successful. Children of all ages develop a love of books as they independently access them. Staff are attentive and read to children as they self-select familiar stories, which they listen to intently.

Children's behaviour is good. They learn about the nursery rules and boundaries and what is expected of them. Children are kind and friendly towards each other. Staff regularly praise them for sharing and being kind to others.

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

• The manager and her staff work well together as an enthusiastic and dedicated team. They are committed to providing an inclusive environment, where all children and their families are welcomed. They work effectively with other professionals to support children's learning. This means that all children receive the help they need to enable them to make good progress.
• The manager and staff are passionate about delivering high-quality care and education. They have a clear understanding of the learning intentions within their curriculum, which is well sequenced to help children to remember previous learning. This helps children to consolidate and build on their prior knowledge. However, very occasionally, some adult-led group activities are not organised as well as they could be, which impacts on children's engagement.
• Staff prioritise communication and language development in their curriculum. They speak clearly to children. They listen and respond, modelling language and repeating new words and phrases. This results in children of all abilities making good progress in their communication.
• Staff in the pre-school room prepare children well for their move to school. They ensure that children are emotionally ready and have the practical skills that they will need. For example, they encourage children to take care of their personal possessions and follow routines. Staff liaise with feeder schools, and teachers visit the setting to meet the children. This helps children move comfortably to the next stage of their education.
• Staff support children to form friendships and play cooperatively together. They focus on teaching children how to understand and manage their own feelings. However, not all staff consistently help children to understand the consequences of their actions and the impact this can have on others.
• The on-site chef cooks nutritious food for children. There are robust systems in place to ensure that all children's dietary requirements are met. For example, different coloured plates are used for those children with specific dietary needs. All children are closely monitored when eating, which means children are kept safe at mealtimes. Children follow good personal care routines. For example, they know to wash their hands before they eat. Staff teach children about oral hygiene. This helps children to understand the benefits of healthy practices.
• The well-being of the staff is a big priority for the leadership team. Staff are supported to complete training and further their qualifications as continuous professional development is positively encouraged. Staff are extremely happy to work at this nursery, and the morale is good.
• Parents say how well their children settle at the nursery. They appreciate the regular updates that keep them informed about their children's day and their developmental achievements. This means that parents can extend their children's learning at home.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff's understanding of how to consistently support children's understanding of the consequence of their actions on others
• review the organisation of the environment during adult-led activities to ensure children have sufficient space to participate fully.