Birchwood Private Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are happy and well cared for in this friendly and welcoming setting.

Staff and children have strong bonds. Children go to them to read books or if they need extra support and cuddles throughout the day. Staff gather information about children's interests and starting points from parents.

They observe the children and develop their next steps of learning. Children engage well in their learning and enjoy their time in the setting. They develop independence and self-help skills throughout all activities.

For example, pre-school children put on their own coats and younger children pour their own drinks. S...taff encourage toddlers to use the pedals on bikes. Babies start to feed themselves, using a spoon.

This starts to develop children's confidence and raises their self-esteem.The environment is well resourced, both inside and outside. This enables children to use resources to develop a variety of skills.

For example, inside, children develop their fine motor skills as they manipulate play dough or use scissors. Outside, they develop their large motor skills as they run around or use the swings and slides. Staff join in their game and the children squeal excitedly as they play 'What's the time Mr Wolf?' and staff chase them.

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

Babies enjoy a range of play activities. Some develop climbing skills as they scramble and explore the soft-play steps. Others 'wash up' and splash around in the water.

Staff use words such as 'pop' and 'splash' to broaden the babies' vocabulary. Pre-school children play in the home corner. They care for and feed their dolls and make 'phone calls' home.

All the children are happy in their environment; this promotes their security and gives a good base for learning.Since the last inspection, the setting has focused closely on mathematics. Mathematical concepts are skilfully interwoven through activities for all age groups.

For example, staff discuss numbers, colours and shapes in their daily conversations with children. Pre-school children have more focused learning and demonstrate a recognition of numbers up to 10. This helps children to develop some key knowledge and skills they need for their next stage of learning.

Language and literacy are a key part of children's learning. They sing songs, read books and discuss their day. Pre-school children take part in phonics activities where they show an awareness of sounds and letters.

Staff talk to the children constantly, ensuring the environment is language rich. However, the opportunity to further extend children's language and vocabulary is sometimes missed.Managers and staff support children with special educational needs well.

They adapt the curriculum so that all children are included and benefit through the flexible and caring approach. Managers and staff identify early concerns and work with parents and external professionals. Children receive targeted support to help them reach their full potential.

The manager and staff have a good vision for ongoing improvement. They have identified that although the teaching is good, and meets the needs of the children, it does not provide enough challenge or help extend children's learning fully. Therefore, they are working hard to embed the already good curriculum, and so further improve outcomes for the children.

Children's behaviour is good. They understand the routine of the day. For example, they know to line up before going outside and to wash their hands before lunch.

Staff praise children constantly. This helps to promote children's confidence and well-being.Parents are happy and feel well supported.

They value daily conversations with staff and regular feedback about their child's day. Staff share information with parents via a secure online app which gives a glimpse of the child's day, and parents appreciate the reassurance it gives them.The setting has hot food cooked on the premises.

It has a four-week menu and offers a range of healthy meals. Children have a choice of this or a packed lunch. All the children sit well for lunchtime and use cutlery appropriately.

At snack time, they have fruit and water. Children's health and well-being are supported effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Managers and staff understand their roles to safeguard children. They can recognise the different types of abuse and the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. They know procedures regarding allegations made against a staff member and who to contact in such an event.

Staff undertake safeguarding training to ensure their knowledge is up to date. Resources and equipment are well maintained. Children understand rules to keep them safe and are aware of possible dangers.

For example, toddlers tell the inspector that, 'Scissors are sharp.' There are effective recruitment procedures, and managers carry out appropriate checks to ensure staff are suitable to care for children.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: nenhance opportunities for children to extend their language and vocabulary help staff to embed their curriculum and provide more challenge to fully support children's learning.