Circle Of Friends Day Nursery - Tile Hill

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children arrive happy and settle quickly into their play.

This includes children who are new to the nursery and have only been attending for a few weeks. Staff warmly welcome parents and their children. Babies receive warmth and comfort from the staff who care for them, especially as they show signs of tiredness.

Staff sing lullabies to the babies as they gently rock them and settle them down to sleep. Resources in all of the playrooms are easily accessible to children. They have a good range to choose from as they make many choices for themselves.

Adult-planned activities for younger children support them eff...ectively to develop new vocabulary and have fun with the language staff introduce them to. Children learn to repeat words such as 'squashy' and 'squishy' as they manipulate play dough.Staff expressively introduce words to the children alongside an action.

For example, staff say 'pull, pull, pull' as the children pull play dough from the staff's hands. Children spend time frequently engaging with older residents in the local community. They sing and dance together and thoroughly enjoy one another's company.

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

The manager is fully aware of where the nursery could improve even further. Since registration, she has guided her staff team to implement many changes in the environment to improve outcomes for all children and their families, most specifically babies and toddlers. Planning for children's learning is currently the focus for the whole team.

The manager frequently observes individual staff's practice and identifies specific learning points that they can each improve upon. Opportunities for professional development are provided. All staff frequently access in-house training and development meetings and training delivered by outside agencies.

Children's emotional security is supported well by staff. Many staff have nurturing qualities and a calm and warm approach towards the children. Children with additional needs are cared for by staff who are passionate about ensuring they have as many opportunities as possible.

Staff are mindful about planning for learning to broaden these children's experiences, to ensure progress is made across the seven areas of learning.Older children create their own games and act out familiar events in their lives. They use shopping bags to carry their groceries home from the shops and pretend to cook for their peers and visitors.

Babies and young children have opportunities to explore the texture of sand and use tools and resources to build small sandcastles. They enjoy getting messy in creative activities where they make marks in a tray of yoghurt.Staff support children to manage their own behaviour and develop positive attitudes towards one another and adults.

Children are reminded of what is expected of them. For example, staff remind pre-school children not to run indoors and to be careful that no one is in the way when they slide down a small slide in the outdoor area. Staff promote good manners and praise the children when they use them.

Children are learning to look after their environment. They actively participate in tidy-up time and help to clean up after lunch.Staff encourage children to wash their hands following messy play activities and prior to mealtimes.

However, occasionally staff do not encourage children to practise their growing skills in self-care effectively.Older children have access to resources such as acorns and conkers to help them become more familiar with our natural environment and changes in the seasons. However, staff do not consistently support children's language skills as they use these resources during adult-led activities.

Parents are very happy with the care that their children receive. They share that the staff are proactive in helping them to access the additional support their children may need. Parents especially appreciate how warm the staff are towards their children, helping them to settle in quickly when they first attend and on arrival each day.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager has many years of experience working in childcare. She fully understands what she must do to protect children from abuse and neglect.

The manager guides her staff to ensure they understand what they must do in the event of a concern about a child in their care. Staff are aware of the signs that may suggest children are being drawn into situations that may put them at risk. Robust recruitment and selection procedures ensure the suitability of staff.

Risk assessments eliminate and minimise potential hazards to children. Well-considered plans are in place to evacuate the premises in the event of an emergency.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: consistently support older children's language skills and widen their vocabulary during adult-led activities nutilise all opportunities that arise throughout the day to support children in practising their growing skills in self-care.