Bright Beginnings

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are happy and busy throughout the day. Staff are very attentive, which helps children to settle quickly.

Babies show their delight as they move and bounce as staff sing rhymes to them. Toddlers gain good control of their small-muscle skills as they fill small jars and stir these with spoons. As children do this, staff make good use of words, such as 'mix' and 'sparkly'.

Staff remind children to be careful of others nearby, such as when they are using long-handled spoons. This promotes children's safety, good behaviour and listening skills. Older children balance tubes in dishes and fill these easily, demonstra...ting good physical control.

Staff encourage children to count the scoops they use to fill the tubes and children talk about what they are doing. This helps prepare children with many of the skills they need for their next stages of learning.Overall, staff have high expectations for all children.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get the additional help they need. Staff work closely with other agencies. This group of children settle quickly and thrive.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period, the nursery remained open. Leaders and staff have communicated well with parents. For example, children's daily activities and ideas to support home learning are shared with parents in various ways.

Parents comment positively about the information they receive.

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

The provider makes good use of additional funding to ensure children meet their planned targets and make good progress. For example, staff provide one-to-one support for children with SEND.

Also, early years pupil premium funding is used to purchase larger outdoor equipment.Leaders and staff have a good overall understanding of what they want children to learn and experience at the nursery. They have a clear view of how children's learning develops over time as they progress through the nursery.

Leaders prioritise staff mental health and well-being. They provide ample opportunities for them to not only continue their professional development but to discuss work, life and themselves. Staff comment on good levels of support and job satisfaction.

Children enjoy stories. They snuggle up with staff and listen to their favourite book being read. Children listen closely as staff read stories enthusiastically.

Toddlers repeat familiar words and older children enjoy adding their own expressive words. This promotes children's communication, listening and literacy skills well.Children develop good physical skills through a range of stimulating experiences.

Babies develop muscle control and coordination as they explore instruments.Older children develop their large-muscle movements as they move to music, following staff's lead. They develop their small-muscle skills as they draw and follow actions on a large scale.

Children play in the stimulating outdoor area with enthusiasm. They show high levels of independence and imagination in their play. However, there are times when staff miss opportunities to support children's learning to a consistently high level.

They do not always enable children to follow their own lead and fully engage in their learning.Children have close bonds with staff and show that they feel happy, safe and secure. Babies have their care needs met well.

They begin to develop their social skills from a young age, sitting together with toddlers to enjoy a healthy lunch. Staff invest time ensuring that babies develop strong bonds with them. This means babies feel secure and settle quickly.

Children enjoy nourishing meals and snacks with their friends and staff. Leaders ensure that children receive a healthy, balanced diet that does not contain too much sugar. Children develop independence skills with the help of staff.

For example, older children pour drinks and serve their own food. Toddlers show good physical development and control as they eat using cutlery. Staff praise children for their good manners, achievements and positive behaviour.

Children's behaviour is good.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Leaders and staff have a thorough knowledge of their responsibilities to protect children.

They have a secure understanding of the correct procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child. Leaders have robust recruitment and vetting procedures in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. They use staff's induction and ongoing supervision sessions to ensure that all staff continue to be suitable.

Staff are vigilant about safety and put in place a range of procedures to help keep children safe. For example, staff are on hand when parents drop off and collect children.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: strengthen staff's understanding of how young children learn to raise their achievements to an even higher level.