St Margarets Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff create an inviting environment that encourages children into the setting. Children separate well from their parents and carers and they are greeted by the friendly staff as they arrive. Staff have developed strong bonds with children. They are attentive to children's needs, offering cuddles and reassurance to help settle children. This helps them to feel emotionally secure.

Staff have high expectations for children. They recognise areas where children need more support, such as turn-taking. Therefore, they plan activities effectively which help children to practise these skills. For example, staff provide opportunities to encourage children to follow step-by-step instructions. Children display high levels of respect to staff and are eager to join in with adult-led group activities. Children display strong friendships. They develop their imagination as they create their own games using bicycles and planks.

Children thrive in the outdoor space. They enjoy the freedom of being outside, and display high levels of engagement as they play and explore. Staff deploy themselves well, ensuring children have plenty of opportunities to engage in meaningful learning and activities. For example, as children show an interest in the sand pit, staff extend their learning and encourage children to count the scoops of sand before pouring them into the bucket. This helps to develop children's mathematical knowledge.

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

• Staff promote good hygiene practices effectively, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Children have a secure understanding of the expectations regarding handwashing. For example, as they arrive, they know to wash their hands before engaging in play. Staff support children to stay safe in the hot weather. For example, they are encouraged to wear hats and help put on their own sun cream. This helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe.
• Staff take children on regular outings and trips around the local community. They plan outings effectively to give children experiences they may not otherwise have. For example, children benefit from visits to the church, castle and wildlife parks. These experiences allow children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider world we live in.
• Children are confident talkers. They display positive attitudes towards their learning and are eager to share their ideas. For instance, during a messy play activity, they use words such as 'gooey' and 'sticky' to describe the texture. However, staff are not fully effective in teaching children the importance of listening to their friends. This results in children talking at the same time, which increases the noise levels. This distracts children's ability to remain focused on the activity.
• The manager has established secure relationships with the local schools. They organise regular meetings for children to interact with older children from the school. This helps children to become familiar with their new learning environment, preparing them for their future in education.
• Staff support children to live healthy lifestyles. They offer hot, nutritious meals and work closely with parents to provide healthy packed lunches. Children show a secure understanding of the expectations at mealtimes. They know to find their name tags before sitting at the table. Children compare differences in their lunches, such as sandwich fillings, which promotes discussions about likes and dislikes. This helps children to develop a good awareness of healthy food choices.
• Staff provide opportunities for children to practise their turn-taking skills. Children receive praise and encouragement when they wait patiently. However, at times, staff are not consistent in ensuring children develop an understanding of why behavioural rules are in place. For instance, while playing on the bicycles, children crash into one another and are told to stop. Staff do not explain to children why they need to stop to help them develop an understanding of the impact of their actions. This does not help give them the knowledge to apply to the same situation in the future.
• The manager displays strong leadership skills. She is dedicated to enhancing staff's knowledge and skills. She works in collaboration with other agencies to share ideas on different areas of training. For example, staff have recently engaged in a Makaton course to further support children with their communication skills. This helps staff to keep their knowledge up to date, ensuring children have the best learning experiences.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help children to learn the importance of listening to others, to develop their social skills even further
• support staff to provide further explanations to children so that they learn why behaviour rules are in place.