Little Gems Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children develop warm and friendly relationships with the staff.

All children are new to the setting. Some children have had long periods of being at home, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are a bit apprehensive and upset when separating from their parent.

However, they very quickly settle and begin to explore the toys. Children receive reassurance and cuddles from staff, who explain that their parent will be back soon.Children behave well.

They follow the positive examples and guidance staff provide. Children learn to be kind and caring towards each other and share as they play together. For example, childr...en play with cars and take turns to push the cars down the garage ramp.

They count and recognise the colours of the cars. Children have fun as they explore paint. Children watch while staff model how to use the brushes and then have a go.

They begin to experiment further, painting their hands to make prints.

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

Overall, the manager has a clear understanding of the curriculum and what they want children to learn. Due to children's recent start at nursery, staff focus on children's personal and social skills and communication and language.

This has had a good impact on the children's social skills and language development.Staff set up the environment to ensure a balance of toys and resources that cover all areas of learning. They ensure activities reflect the children's interests and focus on what they want children to learn next.

Children quickly settle and engage when they see the dinosaurs. Staff add other resources, for example adding sand and water to enable children to extend their ideas.Overall, staff support most children's communication and language well.

Children take part in circle times and enjoy singing and action songs. There are many picture signs displayed around the nursery to support children's communication. However, staff have not gained key words from parents for children who speak English as an additional language.

At times, children try to indicate their needs in their home language and staff are unsure what they want.Staff encourage children's independence. They remind children to wash their hands before eating and allow them time to find their lunch boxes.

Children make a choice about what they want to eat for their snack. Staff have worked with parents to ensure packed lunches are healthy, however, some children have drinks with high sugar content. These do not fully support children's good oral hygiene.

The manager reflects effectively on practice with the staff team. She liaises closely with the local authority development worker and a private childcare consultant to advise and guide her. Staff have regular meetings and supervision and are, overall, aware of where they could make improvements to their practice and the service they provide.

The manager has a secure awareness of how to make a referral to other agencies to support any children with special educational needs and /or disabilities. She understands about working collaboratively together to support children's needs.Parents speak positively about the nursery and say they have seen lots of progress in their children's development since starting.

Regular parent consultations are held to keep them well informed and agree on their children's next steps to focus on. The manager is enthusiastic in the support she provides for parents. She organises parent workshops and online videos to give parents knowledge of ways they can extend learning at home.

Staff support children's individual needs well. They ensure that all children are included and support them to achieve their goals.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager and staff have a sound understanding of child protection procedures, they know what to do if they have concerns about children's welfare. They understand the procedures to follow if an allegation is made against a member of staff. There is a clear flow chart to follow and guide to ensure staff promptly report any safeguarding concerns.

The manager ensures her recruitment processes are robust, so all staff working at the nursery are suitable. She is currently looking to recruit another member of staff and is aware of ensuring they have relevant childcare qualifications. The premises are safe and secure.

The manager completes daily checks in the nursery and garden to ensure there are no hazards. She ensures the front gate is locked once children have arrived to keep them safe.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: gather more detailed information from parents whose children speak English as an additional language, so that key words are known by staff to enable them to communicate effectively and help children settle continue to work on ensuring food and drinks provided are healthy options and support children's good oral health.