We Care Child Care

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children confidently interact with staff, each other and visitors. They join in enthusiastically at group time, calling out answers to questions about the current day, week, month and season. Staff remind children about the rules, and children enjoy a game of sharing a toy and asking for it back. Children behave well and understand what is expected of them. Children choose to speak in Spanish with the staff. For example, when they sing the hello song, some children say 'hola' in response. Children are encouraged to recognise their own feelings. Staff use cartoon facial expressions to help the children identify and express their emotions. Children behave well.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. Staff liaise with parents and refer to other professionals appropriately. A speech and language therapist offers regular advice. The curriculum covers all areas of learning. Staff have high expectations of all children and support children's play well. For example, children pretend there is a fire. They are delighted when staff produce a pop-up fire engine. Staff help them decide how to put the fire out. Children's self-help skills are promoted well. They help themselves to food at lunchtime and get themselves ready for outdoor play. Children show kindness as they spontaneously help each other.

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

• Staff have warm relationships with the children and know them well. An effective key-person system is in place. Staff teach children about nursery rules at group time. This supports children to know what is expected of them. Children behave well. They are confident with staff and each other. Friendships between children are evident. Children show respect for each other, as they help each other during activities. For example, when getting ready for outdoor play.
• The experienced manager supports the staff team well and is committed to the ongoing development of the nursery and the learning environment. Staff report that they are happy in their role and have good access to ongoing training. Staff reflect on their training and record how they are applying what they have learned to their practice.
• Staff plan a broad curriculum based on children's interests. They provide a range of activities which promotes all areas of learning and development. They keep ongoing observations, which they use to inform next steps for children.
• Staff talk to children and comment on their play. They introduce mathematical language, such as 'long' and 'short', as children pull stretchy toys. However, occasionally, staff use closed questions, which does not fully support children to use their increasing range of words, to build even further on their communication skills.
• Staff provide a wide range of useful information for parents on notice boards and in the termly newsletter. Furthermore, termly reports inform parents about their child's progress. This helps parents to know how they can extend learning in the home. Parents speak positively about the setting and the care that their children receive. They describe how happy their child is to attend and feel well informed about their progress and development.
• Children gain new opportunities in the nursery to learn another language. Staff speak in English and Spanish with the children. This supports children's awareness of different languages and confidence to speak it. This helps them learn about diversity and develop respect for other cultures.
• Children learn about the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles. The setting provides a range of healthy meals for all children. Staff use these opportunities to discuss healthy eating with the children.
• Staff identify potential areas of need and then use funding effectively to fully benefit each child. For example, funding is used to purchase resources and provide children who struggle with settling in with opportunities to spend longer at the setting.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• further promote children's communication and language skills by using open-ended questions that encourage children to use their increasing range of words.