Clarendon Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are safe and happy in this setting. Staff know the children well and develop close relationships with babies, children and parents. Throughout the day, children choose books and staff read out loud to support a love of books and reading.

Staff point to the words, so that children learn to follow writing left to right and top to bottom. Children participate in a range of physical activities during outdoor play. They climb, slide and balance over a range of equipment.

Children play in the large sandpit and staff use song, rhyme and counting to introduce vocabulary. Children enjoy filling pots and sprinkling sand.... They pretend to plant flowers in the sandpit.

Staff support children's language development and model language and playfully encourage children to repeat familiar words and phrases. For example, children repeat 'see you soon'. Children develop their mark-making skills.

For instance, they paint walls with water and brushes. Staff are attentive around children and knowledgeable about what it is that children need to learn next.Children show curiosity and kindness to each other and visitors.

Children ask questions and help. Children listen to requests and communicate well. They work together to help put things away.

The setting is inclusive. Staff provide consistent and sensitive support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and this ripples through the setting.

Staff are available for children and respond well, getting down to their level and interacting positively.The curriculum focuses on promoting communication, language and supporting children's transitions. However, staff do not always offer more complex words to children to help widen their vocabulary even further.

Leaders develop a growing vision for the setting and consult with staff to include their views. Meetings and conversations involve the staff in the journey to improve. Leaders are reflective, considering feedback and taking action to change when necessary.

Staff consult with children. They observe them at play and ask questions to gather their ideas and responses.Leaders and staff have worked creatively to build partnerships with parents and to support children and families.

Staff recognise the uniqueness of each child and adapt their teaching to meet the interests of individual children. Staff work sensitively with parents and other professionals to support the development of children.Parents appreciate the established key-worker system, that provides individual care and connection between carers and families.

Whenever possible the key worker takes responsibility for the personal care of key children and building good rapport and emotional well-being. The setting has developed a rigorous monitoring process to ensure that accidents and nappy changes are recorded and reported to parents. Staff share information with parents daily in conversation and through an app.

The nursery is well resourced, inside and out. Outside children have opportunities for physical activity and to explain, repeat and practice. Children are independent learners and manage their self-care needs well.

However, children are not always given opportunities to extend their ability and challenge themselves. For instance, participating in tasks and real activities, such as serving themselves during mealtimes.Children show that they enjoy their time at the setting.

Babies use different textured rings and blocks to build towers. Staff sit alongside children, offering an abundance of praise and encouragement. They count with babies.

Babies join in with clapping and smiling as they successfully build their tower before it crashes to the ground. This shows that children have good levels of self-esteem.Children enjoy circle time.

They learn about oral health and healthy eating. Children discuss how carrots and cucumber are healthy foods. They pretend to brush their teeth.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges. Due to the setting being in the grounds of the city hospital, staff are required to wear masks. However, they use transparent masks to aid children's communication and language development during individual focused activities.

This helps to promote children's speech and pronunciation.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff are trained and can identify signs and symptoms of abuse.

Information about safeguarding is displayed prominently in the entrance. The NHS trust offers regular training and support about safeguarding. Staff know who to go to for support and how to make a referral.

Systems are in place to record and share accidents and personal care with parents. Staff are knowledgeable and well informed, they benefit from regular staff meetings and training.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: nexpand on children's opportunities to extend their ability and challenge themselves and build even more self-belief nextend practice to expose children to a rich, varied and challenging vocabulary.