Ditchingham Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children smile with excitement as they begin their day and are welcomed by caring staff.

Staff gain information on what children already know and can do during tailored settling-in sessions with parents. They use this to inform their planning and teaching. Staff create a stimulating environment tailored to children's individual needs and interests.

They excitedly join children in their play and introduce new ways children can contribute effectively to society. For example, children enjoy learning about recycling and explore different ways they can reuse different items. Staff value the importance of children's well-bei...ng.

They support children to develop emotional security and provide them with cuddles and comfort during the day. Staff teach children the language of feelings during story time, discussing different 'worries' and how they make them feel. Children's independence is well supported.

They are encouraged to hang up their own belongings on their peg when they arrive. Older children benefit from helping to prepare fruit at snack times. This helps to give them a sense of responsibility.

Children make independent decisions in their learning and are supported in their play by nurturing staff. Younger children engage in a painting activity and show delight in exploring the colours of their hands with staff.

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

Children generally behave well.

Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. Older children are confidently supported to develop an awareness of right and wrong. Attentive staff support children to regulate their behaviour, and support older children to resolve conflicts by talking about the situation and ways they can solve the problem together.

Leaders and managers place significant focus on promoting children's literacy skills and developing a love for literature. Children benefit from visiting the local library bus. Young children enjoy listening to stories snuggled up to a member of staff, highlighting they feel safe and secure.

Staff read to children in a way that excites them and captivates their attention.Overall, children's communication skills are well supported. They enjoy participating in group activities with their friends.

Older children show delight as they share their own ideas and thoughts using the 'talking stick', while exploring the forest. However, at times, staff do not effectively use opportunities to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to develop their vocabulary. This means they do not fully benefit from group activities provided.

Transitions into the next room of the nursery are supported effectively by staff. Staff work in collaboration with parents to identify what children have learned and how they will support them further. Children are provided with regular visits into their next room alongside their friends, to help prepare them for their next stage in learning.

Children are provided with a wealth of experiences to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Staff regularly plan outings in the local community. They are linked to children's interests and provide them with new experiences, such as participating in their first forest session.

Children are provided with a range of opportunities to explore the outdoors during the day. Older children enjoy hunting for 'treasure' when they are in the forest. Young children enjoy jumping into the mud pit and looking at the marks they make with their boots.

Staff engage with children at mealtimes. They discuss with older children the foods they eat and the importance of drinking water to stay hydrated. Children enjoy explaining that the carrots they eat feel 'crunchy'.

Young babies skilfully feed themselves with a spoon and let staff know when they have finished. However, during mealtimes, children often experience long periods of waiting, and this leads to them becoming restless and unsettled.Parents are extremely happy with the care their children receive at this nursery.

They highlight the kindness and affection their children receive from staff, and state that they feel staff genuinely care about their children. Parents praise the continuous communication they receive about their children's learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager and staff demonstrate a secure knowledge of safeguarding practices and how to keep children safe. Staff confidently identify the signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk of harm. They receive regular training to ensure they are aware of wider safeguarding issues, such as female genital mutilation and the importance of monitoring children's attendance.

A vigorous recruitment and induction process helps to ensure staff are suitable for their role and are aware of their own responsibilities. Detailed risk assessments are carried out daily to ensure that all activities and outings are safe and suitable for the children.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: nimplement ways to promote good communication skills for children with SEND to allow them to make good progress in their learning review the organisation of mealtimes, so that the needs of all children are considered and the length of time children spend waiting is reduced.