Star Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

There have been significant improvements since the last inspection. The new manager and staff team have worked very effectively together to strengthen educational programmes. Children make very good use of the well-organised and attractively presented resources. They confidently explore the refurbished learning environments, inside and out, and become engrossed in their chosen play.

Children respond well to the warm, caring interaction of staff. They seek to include staff in their play and confidently share their views and ideas. Children are enthusiastic learners, eagerly joining in with planned activities. For example, they watch as staff show them how to print by painting the feet of toy animals. Children are soon creating pictures, as they happily stomp dinosaurs across their paper. Outdoors, children engage in a broad range of experiences, including role play, reading and drawing. They also develop their physical strength and coordination, for example, as they load and manoeuvre a wheelbarrow in the new construction area.

Children benefit from the targeted support they receive to help them share and take turns. With gentle reminders from staff, children wait patiently when needed and behave well. This helps them to develop valuable skills for the next stages in their education and later lives.

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

• The leadership of the nursery is effective. The new manager and staff team are highly motivated and create a positive and warm atmosphere. They communicate well together as they work to embed the new, ambitious educational programme. The manager provides support and supervision for all staff, who also benefit from ongoing input from the company's training coordinator.
• Each staff member has a secure knowledge of the children in their key group. They accurately identify what they want each child to learn next and plan experiences that they are confident they will enjoy. However, staff sometimes plan so many learning intentions for an activity that the aim becomes confused. For example, staff ask a range of questions and pose different ideas while children are engrossed in their play. Much of the time, this is effective in enhancing children's learning and enjoyment. However, there are times when too much adult input distracts from children being able to focus and fully absorb a particular idea or skill.
• Children's language is promoted well. Staff speak to them as they play and skilfully introduce new vocabulary. Children chat very happily with their friends and with staff. There is a strong focus on supporting children who speak English as an additional language. Staff learn key words in children's home languages. They work closely with parents to promote children's all round communication.
• Staff plan a range of experiences that reflect the different backgrounds and cultures of the children attending. For example, they invite parents into the nursery to share stories, food and music enjoyed by their family. Staff also provide opportunities for children to learn about the lives and traditions of people outside of their own experience.
• Staff promote children's health and hygiene well. The environment is well maintained and tables are cleaned thoroughly before food is served. Children enjoy nutritious snacks and meals and their individual dietary needs are fully respected. Staff teach children to be independent in their self-care, such as supporting potty training. Children also learn about the importance of washing their hands before eating.
• The manager has successfully strengthened arrangements to keep parents informed about the day-to-day life of the nursery. In addition, staff effectively communicate with parents about their child's specific progress and next steps in learning. Parents feedback that they are very happy with the service they receive. They state that their children enjoy attending and are progressing well.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to develop greater confidence in planning and implementing activities that allow children to focus more precisely on the intended learning.