Bearhugs Nurseries Ltd

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children positively thrive and flourish in this home-from-home, family feel nursery. Pre-school children hold articulate conversations.

They befriend and show an interest in visitors and are confident to ask questions, such as 'what's your name?' Children talk about what they like to play with and say, 'my favourite bit is playing in the big garden'. Babies initially show anxiety when visitors come into their room. However, they quickly feel safe and secure within the room and begin to accept visitors, when comforted by familiar, caring staff.

Pre-school children develop good independence skills. When they attempt to p...ut on their shoes they say, 'I can't do it'. Children respond positively to staff's encouragement to keep trying.

They succeed and show good levels of self-esteem and confidence and are proud of their achievements. Children's behaviour and levels of patience are impressive. They learn about the nursery rules and boundaries and what is expected of them.

Children are kind and friendly towards each other. For example, when babies pass through a room to access outdoor play they are greeted with a big hug from their sibling.

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

The manager is ambitious about providing quality care and education for all children.

Staff report high levels of well-being and feel very well supported by the manager. Both parents and staff are encouraged to share their views and ideas. For example, when a parent expressed a concern about the menu being too 'sweet orientated', these were assessed and amended.

This shows parent's views are listened to and taken on board and also helps to promote a healthy eating regime for children.The curriculum for each age group is well planned and sequenced. Staff recognise what children know and how they want them to progress.

For example, babies explore and investigate the texture of paint. Toddlers develop their listening and attention skills in small group singing times. Pre-school children are encouraged to explore the different habitats animals live in to extend their knowledge of the wider world and nature.

Any gaps in children's learning are identified and appropriate interventions are implemented.Staff play alongside children and remind them to share resources. For example, with support, younger pre-school aged children's social skills develop as they take it in turns to build with bricks.

Children spend long periods of time happily engaged and persevering to build a house using small bricks.Staff make sure children get plenty of fresh air and exercise in the well-used, inviting garden spaces. Children develop a good sense of responsibility for their own health, welfare and safety.

Pre-school children negotiate the outdoor area on wheeled toys. They stop and wait for their friends to be out of the way before they proceed through a puddle. Toddlers learn the correct steps needed for washing and drying their hands.

Older children know and follow this routine with little prompting. Babies copy staff, using a towel to clean the table after the painting activity.Staff interact with, and play alongside, children as they explore.

Children demonstrate curiosity and enthusiasm in their play. For example, toddlers use their small motor skills and master using pipettes to suck up water in an outdoor tray. However, occasionally, some staff's interactions with children are not precisely focused on what they need to learn next, such as by expanding their knowledge.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the manager and staff, through discussions with parents, know children have been limited in their social interactions with children of all ages. Consequently, they make sure the children broaden their experiences by playing with all age groups as often as possible.A strength of the nursery is the partnerships with parents and carers.

Parents express their thoughts and comment very positively on their children's experiences in the nursery. They value the information staff share with them about their children's day and the ideas for learning they can provide at home. This contributes to children continuing their learning at home.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have good knowledge of child protection issues and they are clear about their roles of safeguarding children. The manager and staff can recognise if a child is at risk of harm and any concerns are acted upon promptly and appropriately.

Safety of the building is good. Staff ensure the door is locked as soon as children arrive and remains locked throughout the session. This means no one can enter uninvited and children cannot leave unsupervised.

There are robust recruitment and vetting procedures in place to help assess the suitability of staff. There is an effective process to ensure ongoing staff suitability.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: nenhance staff's skills and knowledge so that they can use their interactions to further introduce challenge and extend the knowledge of children.