The Lodge Pre School And Nursery Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children and parents are greeted warmly by the friendly and professional staff. Children arrive happy and settle quickly into the routines of the nursery. Staff provide a stimulating and inviting learning environment, both indoors and outdoors. Children select from a range of interesting and age-appropriate resources. They are confident in choosing the direction of their play. Staff provide fun and exciting activities to capture children's attention. Children with English as an additional language are comforted as they enjoy listening to recordings of stories and songs in their home language. All children make good progress from their starting points. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported effectively.

Children are supported well to manage their own feelings. Staff give clear instructions and children know what is expected of them. Staff consistently praise children for their efforts, achievements and positive behaviours. As a result, children's behaviour is extremely good. All children enjoy regular access to the outside area, where they have fun exploring a range of interesting activities and practise their physical skills.

All children develop secure and trusting bonds with their key person and all staff. Babies and toddlers are relaxed and smile when they see familiar staff. They look to staff for reassurance and cuddles when unsettled, which they receive in abundance. Children seek staff out to show them their accomplishments and share their ideas. Children are confident and supported well to develop independence skills in preparation for the next stage in their learning.

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

• Children, including those in receipt of funding or who have additional needs, make good progress and develop foundations for future learning. Staff provide stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments and a well-planned curriculum. This is informed by staff's knowledge of children's level of development and home experiences.
• Staff create a calm and relaxing space for younger children to explore and engage with a variety of resources. They become involved in hitting the ball with a golf club, displaying good hand-to-eye coordination. Staff understand the importance of children developing good communication and language skills. They make use of opportunities to join in with children's play and conversations. Staff build on younger children's communication skills, introducing new words while they play. Older children confidently hold conversations with staff and describe past events. Children are confident talkers; they chat away to each other and staff.
• Children have good physical skills. Staff have attended recent training about
• 'tummy time', and have incorporated this throughout the setting for all children. Younger children enjoy regular tummy time. Older children are encouraged to be on their tummies while painting in the outdoor classroom. This builds their muscles to develop the skills necessary for holding a pencil.
• Children have excellent concentration, and exhibit extremely positive attitudes to learning. Staff identify children's learning needs and support them to build on what they know and can do, using activities and resources that capture their interest and imagination. However, at times, staff do not routinely participate in children's conversations during activities in order to further their learning to the highest level.
• Children are supported well to develop a love of books. Staff provide cosy and inviting reading areas where children handle books with care. Staff are skilled at capturing children's interest in stories. Older children listen intently as staff read stories in an expressive way. Staff encourage children to participate and make predictions about what will happen next.
• The dedicated and passionate manager shows a good commitment to the professional development of her team. Staff work well together, which plays an integral part in the development of the nursery and how staff promote children's progression. The manager places a high priority on the well-being of staff. As a result, staff feel valued and enjoy working at the nursery.
• Staff provide ample opportunities for children to learn about being healthy. Children enjoy tending to the vegetable patch and are eager to harvest the vegetables when they are ready. This encourages children to try different foods.
• Parent partnerships are good and parents praise the staff. Parents are positive about how the setting supports children individually from settling into the setting to preparing them to be ready for school. Parents share their views, for instance through questionnaires. Feedback is valued by the manager who acts on suggestions for improvement.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to better recognise and make more effective use of spontaneous opportunities to extend and deepen children's learning.