Lambley Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children arrive eager to learn as they enter the nursery and quickly find their favourite toys.

Children in the pre-school room are supported by enthusiastic staff as they explore the outdoor area. They develop their large-muscle skills as they ride tricycles around the playground. Children are encouraged to develop their balance and core strength as they walk along beams.

They scramble up a climbing wall and squeal with delight as they travel down the slide.Children get excited as staff involve them in a bug hunt. They use magnifying glasses to explore plastic insects in the mud.

Children develop their small-...muscle skills as they place the insects into containers and scoop up mud to bury them. Children are supported to use their observational skills as they are given a tick chart to use as they move around the playground to find pictures of bugs. They shout excitedly, 'Look, I've found something.'

Children develop their early writing skills as they carefully tick the bugs they have found off their list.Younger children are supported to explore sensory play activities as they investigate oats. They squeeze them tightly and watch as oats drop to the floor.

Babies are offered challenge as they sit on ride-on toys. They develop their large-muscle skills as they push themselves forwards, turning the steering wheel as they play.

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

The manager and staff have developed a curriculum that prepares children for the next stage of their education.

It builds on children's knowledge as they progress through the nursery. However, at times, staff do not allow children to process their thoughts. Sometimes, staff answer their own questions.

This results in children losing focus during activities and becoming frustrated at times.Parents speak highly of the friendly and caring nursery. They say the family-orientated team of staff ensure that they communicate well with the parents about what their child is learning and how to support their learning at home.

For example, children regularly borrow books from nursery to help support their literacy development in their home environment.The manager and staff team ensure that children benefit from nutritious, home-cooked meals and snacks at nursery. Children access fresh water on a regular basis.

Older children talk about the importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables. They pretend to feed a hungry caterpillar toy snacks, such as oranges and strawberries, and staff encourage children to think about how fruit helps their bodies to be healthy.Staff ensure that children benefit from valuable experiences during activities.

For example, children develop their small-muscle skills as they squeeze and squash play dough. They use a variety of tools to roll and press out play dough, using cutters. However, during play, staff do not always use the correct words for everyday items.

This means that children do not always hear and learn the correct pronunciation of words. For example, as children use animal shape cutters, staff name the animals 'pussy cats' and 'doggies' instead of cats and dogs.Staff ensure that children learn about the routines throughout the day.

However, transitions during these routines are not always supported well. For example, children in the pre-school room spend prolonged periods waiting to go outside. This often results in frustration and disengagement, and good behaviour deteriorates.

Children develop good levels of independence. For example, they make choices in their learning and seek out activities that interest them. Staff encourage pre-school and toddler room children to help themselves to food at mealtimes by using tongs.

Children pour their own drinks and show confidence as they use the toilet and put their coats on independently.Staff ensure that children's emotional needs are met. For example, babies seek out staff to receive warm cuddles and gentle support.

Nappy changes are warm and respectful as staff engage with and sing to children. Older children seek out adults if they are unsure and need support or assistance to carry out tasks.The manager ensures that staff's well-being is given high priority.

Staff say that they are happy in their roles. They benefit from regular supervision and their workload is manageable. Staff work together well as a caring and compassionate team.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and her staff team understand their roles and responsibilities to ensure that children are kept safe. They recognise signs that a child may be at risk of neglect and understand how to escalate any concerns they have.

The staff understand their responsibilities for keeping children safe from radicalisation and female genital mutilation. The manager ensures that staff are suitable to work with children. Rigorous recruitment checks are carried out before staff begin their employment at the nursery.

The staff continuously ensure that hazards are minimised at the nursery. They regularly check areas and supervise children well.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: support staff to provide all children with enough time to think about and respond to questions strengthen how staff speak and model words so that young children can hear the grammatically correct pronunciation to help develop their speaking skills further support staff to ensure that transitions during routines are smooth and do not disrupt learning and engagement.