Dee’s Childcare Ltd

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children greet each other enthusiastically in this very happy, home-from-home nursery. They enjoy deeply trusting, warm relationships with all staff, not just their key person. Children have great understanding of themselves and their emotions.

For example, they say, 'I can play with you if you are sad', to other children. Staff perform puppet shows to help children to fully understand and deeply explore a range of feelings. They have high expectations of children and value each child exceptionally well.

The curriculum is deeply rooted in developing children's curiosity. It is firmly and securely linked to child...ren's interests and areas of learning. All children make excellent progress in preparation for school.

Children have an excellent understanding of the world. For example, staff take children on scavenger hunts in the garden to discover minibeasts. Children rake through fallen leaves and turn over damp logs.

Staff deepen children's thinking extremely well. For example, they ask children to describe the differences between worms and woodlice. Children greatly enjoy a range of vibrant and unique creative experiences.

For instance, they walk across a sensory path in the garden to feel the textures of pebbles, grass, sand and pine cones underfoot. Children enjoy discovering a wide range of sounds by using a variety of interesting instruments on the music wall in the garden. Children behave in very positive ways.

Staff teach children skills to try to resolve situations for themselves, intervening only when necessary. Older children remind younger children of group rules.

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

Children are highly articulate and have excellent vocabulary.

For example, children excitedly create their own imaginative and complex stories as they gather around a tree decorated with fairy-tale characters in the garden. Staff extend children's learning very effectively. For instance, staff teach children new vocabulary as they walk around the garden to collect food for animals in a story.

Children develop excellent mathematical skills. For instance, they use different shapes and colours to create complex sequences and patterns. They have very good counting and number recognition skills.

Children use a wide range of mathematical words to describe shape and size.Staff help children to gain an excellent understanding of difference. They invite parents into the setting to take part in candle making for Diwali.

Staff read stories about Black history and different religions. They provide children with an excellent range of toys and resources that reflect disability and different family compositions.Children are highly independent.

They get tissues to wipe their noses and dispose of these hygienically. Children confidently put on their outdoor boots and coats to go into the garden. Babies select their own toys and resources and learn to feed themselves competently at mealtimes.

Children share and take turns exceptionally well. For instance, without prompting, children kindly offer to share toys with each other as they play in the mud kitchen in the garden. They are extremely well mannered and say 'please' and 'thank you'.

Children develop an excellent understanding of oral hygiene. For example, a community nurse visits the nursery to offer advice, and children regularly brush their teeth. While singing nursery rhymes during group time, children spontaneously add, 'this is the way we brush our teeth', to a line in the song.

Children gain excellent physical skills. They enjoy the challenge of a very well-designed, highly resourced and spacious outdoor area. This includes exceptional opportunities for children to take part in obstacle courses, climbing challenges and balancing on logs.

Children attend regular soft-play sessions to enhance their physical development further.Staff provide excellent emphasis on healthy eating. For instance, they provide a comprehensive plant-based diet to children and ensure that they have nutritionally very well-balanced meals and snacks.

Children plant and grow vegetables, such as courgettes and sweetcorn, with staff, which are used to prepare meals for children. Staff teach children the value of eating well.Staff have exceptional partnerships with parents.

They use highly effective and flexible methods to give parents comprehensive feedback on children's progress and activities. Staff provide innovative ways for parents to support children's learning. For instance, they voluntarily award a 'parent of the month' to those who, for instance, read regularly to their children at home.

The manager monitors staff performance robustly. She spends time in group rooms observing staff and provides full feedback on ways to improve practice. The manager meets with staff individually and regularly to give targeted, precise support to promote best outcomes for children.

The manager is highly committed to the continual development of staff skills and knowledge. She ensures that training courses offered are well targeted to staff needs. For instance, staff attended a course on developing the role of the key person, which led to precise improvements in this area.

The manager evaluates all aspects of the nursery thoroughly. She sets precise goals for improvement, such as to enhance the evaluation of activities to promote best outcomes for children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff place high emphasis on children's safety. They carry out robust risk assessments, covering indoor and outdoor areas, to reduce the risk of hazards. Staff have exceptional knowledge of what to be alert to that might indicate that a child is at risk of abuse.

They have full knowledge of procedures to follow to report any concerns. Staff attend regular training to update their skills and knowledge. The manager carries out comprehensive background checks on staff to ensure they are suitable for their roles.