Playsteps Kembrey

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This nursery is welcoming and supportive, with a focus on helping children grow in a safe, happy environment. The staff work closely with children, promoting their emotional and physical well-being by making sure they feel secure, cared for and valued. The nursery creates a warm, nurturing atmosphere, where children are encouraged to explore, ask questions and build confidence.

The nursery offers a curriculum that challenges every child to do their best, with extra support for children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff quickly notice when a child needs help and make sure they get the right support. They also work closely with other professionals to ensure all children thrive, ensuring no one is left behind. The nursery is committed to providing equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their background or additional needs.

Staff expect children to be kind, helpful and involved in their learning. They set a positive example and encourage children to share, play together and express themselves. This helps children develop good social skills, emotional resilience and a positive attitude towards learning. Staff also encourage independence, making sure children feel confident to try things on their own.

The curriculum has a positive impact on all children, helping them become confident and independent learners. It focuses on developing both their social and academic skills, preparing them for the next steps in their education. Children at this nursery are well prepared for school and for life, with the support they need to reach their full potential.

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

• The nursery provides a clear and well-structured curriculum that is focused on children's independence and communication skills. Staff are attentive to each child's individual needs, planning to support their development and helping them reach their full potential. The curriculum encourages children to become confident communicators, fostering both emotional and cognitive growth.
• Children are happy and content, benefiting from strong, trusting relationships with staff. Staff know the children well and use this knowledge to inform curriculum planning, ensuring that each child's learning is tailored to their needs. For example, staff identify next steps in children's learning and provide support that helps them develop.
• Staff know how to positively promote children's social skills. Children are polite, share resources, and show kindness to their friends, particularly during mealtimes and group activities. These social interactions are essential for their overall development and help them build important relationships. Staff role model good behaviour and set clear expectations, which children respond well to. Staff support each other to reinforce consistent expectations, although further improvement is needed in sharing important information between staff to enhance the individualised support for all children.
• The outdoor environment is a key part of the nursery's approach, where children have the freedom to explore and take risks. They engage independently in activities that help develop their physical skills, such as balancing on planks or rolling objects to knock over skittles. This promotes resilience, confidence and creativity.
• There is a strong focus on communication and language development. For example, staff use sign language, singing, storybooks, and visual timetables effectively to support children's learning. They introduce new vocabulary and ensure children's language progress is tracked and monitored.
• Leaders and staff use their knowledge of child development to identify early signs of concerns, especially for children at risk of falling behind. They take proactive steps to address emerging needs, collaborating with other professionals and providing the necessary support, even when delays in specialist services occur.
• Staff value parents' feedback and use this to improve the care and learning environment. However, while staff maintain regular communication with parents and respond to their concerns, there is room to improve how next steps in children's learning are consistently shared to help all parents support their child's development at home.
• Leaders support staff with regular supervision meetings and provide ongoing training to ensure staff are equipped with the skills they need. This collaborative approach helps staff to feel valued and ensures that they are continuously developing professionally to meet the needs of all children.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to consistently share important information to better meet each child's individual needs
• improve how next steps in children's learning are shared with all parents to help them support learning at home.