Activeplay Nursery and Preschool

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are very happy and settled throughout the day. Staff form good relationships with children and get to know their individual personalities.

Children enjoy each other's company and make up games as they play in the garden.Children engage well in learning and often return to activities throughout the day that spark their interest. For example, children mix a range of herbs and spices with dough for a sensory experience.

They roll different shapes and pretend to make pizza and birthday cake. The staff work hard to create an environment that is engaging and interesting, to help children's learning. For example, the...y review and adapt what is available based on children's interests.

Children behave very well. Staff rarely have to give guidance and children understand agreed rules. For instance, they understand how to use the timer when they have a turn with the large tablet, and know when their turn has finished.

Children enjoy freshly prepared meals together in the dining room. Staff work with parents to understand what children like to eat. Children with allergies are well catered for.

Children enjoy the opportunity to be independent, and use their skills well to serve their food and use cutlery.

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

Staff value children's opinions and use these well as they plan activities and support children's learning. For example, children discuss their interest in snails, and staff help them explore the garden to find them.

They talk about the shells and where the snails may have gone. Children gain confidence to share their thoughts and interests, and know that their views will be valued.The manager and staff review their practice regularly to help make ongoing improvements to the setting.

For example, they have recently rearranged the rooms and combined the ages of children. Children now have the opportunity to flow between rooms and play with a wider age range of children. This has had a positive impact on children's behaviour and overall development.

The provider, however, has failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event as required, this event being the absence of the nursery owner for an extended period following an injury. Following discussion, they now understand their responsibility to do so, and the event did not impact on the running of the setting.Staff have strong relationships with parents and other settings that children attend.

Parents comment that staff are approachable and their children have made good progress since starting. Staff make contact with other settings that children attend. They discuss children's development and share their knowledge of individual children.

This helps children to receive continuity in their care and learning.The manager supports the staff well, and the staff are happy. They comment that they are able to share how they feel during one-to-one supervisions and during staff meetings.

Staff value the opportunity to take part in training. For example, they have recently developed their knowledge about online safety and how to support different ages of children. However, although the management team is aware that staff require additional support to help children who show an interest in letters, this is not yet in place.

As a result, staff's teaching of early reading skills is not yet consistent.Staff have a good understanding of children's development and are aware of children's strengths and how to support their progress. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support to meet their needs.

The special educational needs coordinator works with staff to help identify where children may need support, and puts plans in place to help them succeed. All children gain the skills they need to be ready for the next stage of learning at school.Children engage in new experiences beyond what they may have encountered already.

For example, staff help them learn how to use a spirit level to find if something is balanced. Children use their good communication and language skills to listen to the explanation and try out making it level on different surfaces.Staff sequence the curriculum to support children's continued development well.

They have carefully considered what skills children need to move on to the next room. For example, babies and toddlers in the nursery room have the opportunity to learn to safely climb stairs. This key skill is needed for their move to the pre-school room based upstairs, as well as to support their physical development.

However, sometimes, staff do not consistently implement all of the curriculum plans to further support children's learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager places a high emphasis on creating a safeguarding culture.

Staff attend regular training to ensure that have up-to-date safeguarding knowledge. They know the signs that show a child may be at risk of harm, including female genital mutilation and radicalisation. Staff know the internal procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child.

They know what steps to take if they need to escalate their concerns to wider services. Staff maintain a safe and suitable environment for children.

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 fully implement all curriculum plans, to ensure all children consistently benefit from high-quality experiences and make even more progress in their learning strengthen staff's knowledge about how to best support children's early reading skills for those who show an interest, to help them benefit from a consistent approach.