Toddlers Inn Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The nursery is a happy and welcoming place for children. They have lots of fun learning and playing. Children are safe and well cared for by staff who want the best for them. Even the very youngest children settle quickly and happily in the calm and nurturing environment. They giggle with delight as staff roll vehicles down a ramp. They ask for 'more' and are encouraged to join in with 'ready, steady, go'. Toddlers use a variety of spoons and scoops to transfer gravel from one utensil to another, developing their fine muscle skills and concentration. Staff encourage them to be careful and extend their vocabulary by using words such as 'transfer'. Pre-school children play imaginative games cooperatively. They decorate the outdoor area using water and paintbrushes, while others make 'birthday cakes' for staff in the mud kitchen. They all join in with singing 'Happy Birthday'.

Children in all rooms enjoy stories and books. Babies confidently turn the pages of their picture books and enjoy snuggling with their key person listening to a story. Older children nestle into the cushions in their reading corner, listening to a member of staff bring the story to life. They ask questions and discuss what is happening in the story.

Children are well prepared for the move to school. They are encouraged to be independent in many aspects of their self-care. Staff provide the school uniform for dressing up, so children can become familiar with it. Children enjoy listening activities, which help to build the skills needed for early reading.

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

• Leaders continually strive to improve the outcomes for children in the nursery. They are passionate at driving improvements forward. They are currently implementing an exciting and ambitious new curriculum to support children's learning further.
• All children make good progress, and parents are fully involved. The nursery staff gather detailed information from them, which helps to set an accurate starting point. They use this to plan activities that support the child's interest and next steps. This helps children make good progress in their learning. They also gather information about care routines and dietary requirements. This helps staff to incorporate familiar routines from the start, such as settling babies to sleep in the same way parents do.
• Parents speak highly of the nursery. They feel their child receives individual care, and even anxious parents become relaxed as they receive photos of their child happily engaged with activities early in the day. They know what to do to support their child's learning at home. They receive detailed information about care routines through an app, and staff give comprehensive feedback when handing the child back to their parents.
• Staff provide a broad range of stimulating activities that children are eager to join. The curriculum promotes both communication and independence, with children encouraged to serve their own food, manage their coats and shoes, and develop vocabulary through daily routines and play. However, staff do not consistently plan for these skills to be extended across activities and routines. This means children's progress in developing language and independence is not fully maximised.
• Staff ensure that children are beginning to understand what they need to do to be healthy. Children are provided with nutritious and balanced meals and snacks, which they thoroughly enjoy. There are robust procedures in place for children with allergies. Children understand hygiene routines, such as washing hands before meals. They have lots of opportunities for physical play outdoors in the fresh air. Children learn about caring for their teeth and enjoy cleaning model teeth. Leaders have invited local dentists to visit the children.
• Staff are vigilant in ensuring that children are safe. They put into place secure risk assessments when taking the children on outings, such as when they visit the local shops to buy ingredients for their cooking activities and items for their role play area.
• Staff feel very supported by leaders. They have regular supervision sessions. Managers ensure that they check the well-being of staff and are alert to workload issues. Staff report they have good opportunities to develop their practice and enjoy working at the nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to more consistently extend children's language and independence through the curriculum.