Baby Gems Playhouse

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision requires improvement Children are very happy and settled in this warm and nurturing nursery.

Some children who are newer to the setting and who struggle to separate from their parents, build their confidence rapidly. They receive comfort from staff to help them to adjust when arriving, which helps them to quickly settle and get involved in their play and learning. This shows that children feel safe and secure.

Staff are highly ambitious about children's learning. They plan and provide a broad range of challenging experiences which support children to make progress in their development. Children start their day by taking care of their belongin...gs.

They recognise their own name and know where to put things away. Staff are clear about what they want children to learn and adapt the activities they provide to meet children's individual needs. Children use beaters to hit different colours they recognise on a drum.

Older children then begin to count the beats they make and listen to different sounds. Children thrive when exploring the world around them. They explore the texture of leaves and are excited to see squirrels when on an outing.

Staff take the opportunity to teach them how to behave courteously around animals to keep themselves and the animals safe. They explain how squirrels use their claws to climb trees. Children demonstrate their care and understanding as they collect chestnuts and leave these in places nearby for the squirrels to eat.

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

The provider has not ensured that they fully understand and implement all requirements of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. An oversight of their understanding means that staff have not maintained a full and valid paediatric first-aid certificate. While staff have completed some training online, they have not completed practical training to ensure their understanding remains up to date to respond in an emergency.

The manager has clear and high expectations for every child's learning. The curriculum is planned well to help children gain knowledge and skills in readiness for the next stage of their learning. Managers and staff provide a varied range of exciting and challenging activities that help children to make progress in their development.

Staff's teaching skills are consistently strong. They are highly dedicated to their roles as educators and spend all of their time with children. Staff guide children to complete activities to build on their knowledge and skills.

However, there is less opportunity for children to lead their own play and learning because the environment does not consistently challenge children's development.Staff recognise that many children attending speak English as an additional language. They continuously talk to children and model vocabulary to them.

Staff use books to help children to understand different body parts and what they are used for. Children practise saying new words throughout their day and become very fluent communicators.Children develop sound early mathematical skills.

Staff maximise opportunities to help children to understand about numbers, sizes and shapes. For example, on outings, children count different objects they see. They recognise numbers written in the environment.

Staff help children to differentiate between 'large' and 'small' when choosing their spoons at snack times.Children are continuously busy and remain engaged in their learning. As a result, they behave exceptionally well.

Staff teach children how to share resources, take turns and care for the equipment they use. They explain how things may become broken if they are not used correctly. This helps children to understand what is expected of them.

The manager is passionate about supporting children's individual needs. She works closely with staff to identify any gaps in children's learning. The manager liaises promptly with parents and other professionals to help children to gain any extra support they need.

Parents are pleased with the service that the nursery provides. They explain that their children are eager to attend the nursery to see staff and their friends. However, parents are not yet clear about who their child's key person is.

This means that relationships and partnership working is not yet fully embedded to benefit children.The manager is highly supportive of staff. She provides regular opportunities for supervision, which helps staff to feel well supported in their roles.

The manager closely monitors staff's knowledge and teaching. Regular feedback and training opportunities are provided so that staff continuously build on their own professional development.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff and managers complete regular training to maintain their sound knowledge of safeguarding issues and procedures. They are alert to different safeguarding issues that the children may be at risk from. Staff know how to report any concerns they may have to the manager or other agencies.

Staff and managers know what action to take if they have concerns about the conduct of a member of staff. Rigorous procedures are followed when recruiting staff. Appropriate vetting checks are carried out to help assess the suitability of adults who have direct contact with children.

Staff are effectively deployed at all times, including on outings, to supervise children and keep them safe.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date ensure that at least one person who is available and present holds a current and valid paediatric first-aid certificate.27/10/2023 To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: strengthen the key-person system to build secure relationships with parents and extend partnerships even further nexplore ways to enhance the environment to provide children with a broader range of learning experiences.