Greenacres Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children greet their carers with big smiles and open arms as they are warmly welcomed into the nursery.

Parents comment on the 'family feel' that staff create. They report that their children settle quickly. Staff build warm relationships with the children and know them well, ensuring their emotional and developmental needs are met.

Children receive regular praise for their perseverance and achievements, which builds their self-esteem. Babies enjoy looking at books of family pictures that parents have contributed to. They receive lots of cuddles and reassurance, helping them to feel safe and secure.

Children e...njoy healthy meals prepared on site by the chef and learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles. Children have daily access to fresh air and exercise in the large, well-equipped garden. Older children have the opportunity to take part in a weekly football session.

The nursery encourages children's love of reading. Children enjoy the stories that are read to them throughout the day. They go on regular trips to the library, where they choose books to take home to share with their family.

Children behave well. They quickly settle at activities and are focused and engaged. Staff have high expectations for all children.

Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive targeted support, including those waiting for referrals to outside professionals.

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

Parents say they are very well informed and encouraged to be part of their children's learning. They work closely with key workers to establish goals for their children.

Parents are given ideas for how they can help their children to feel well supported at home with, for example, potty training and food issues. Parental input is welcomed, and the management team is very proud of the extremely strong parent partnerships in place.Children who speak English as an additional language make noticeable progress.

Staff request key words in home languages to ensure individual needs are met. Parents and staff alike speak of the positive difference in the children's spoken English since starting nursery. Diversity is highly valued at this nursery.

Staff work hard to ensure that the cultural celebrations of all families are recognised throughout the year.Staff plan a range of adult-led and child-led activities throughout the day. They are linked to children's individual needs and interests and build on what children already know and can do.

Staff create fun activities, such as making fresh orange juice. Children squeeze oranges in their hands, collecting the juice in jugs, which they then pour into cups and taste. This promotes their independence.

Children use their senses and develop their language as they describe how the juice tastes and smells.Staff's teaching encourages children to use their imagination and embraces all areas of learning. For example, they question children about what specific animals look like and how they move.

Children consider how many legs an animal has, and then they move around the room pretending to be the animal. Staff teach children additional techniques, including sign language, for the names of animals, which enhances their language skills further.During the day, children are given plenty of opportunities to hear stories and sing songs.

However, there are times when children are unable to focus on the story because they are called to carry out other tasks. As such, their concentration and learning are interrupted.Children are attentive listeners and respond to instructions promptly.

Independence is encouraged throughout the nursery. Children are well prepared for the next stage of their learning. For example, they put on their coats, serve themselves at mealtimes, learn to use cutlery and pour their own drinks.

Staff work closely with local schools. They arrange for children to meet their new teachers and plan activities that help the move to school go smoothly.Staff receive regular training to ensure their skills and knowledge are up to date and built upon.

Management implement a number of incentives to motivate staff. They reflect on their training and record how they are applying what they have learned to their practice. Management regularly evaluates practice with staff and takes account of parents' views to ensure continuous improvement.

The management team plans for future developments, such as enhancing the garden even further. Members of the longstanding staff team report that they feel well supported by leaders.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff demonstrate good knowledge of how to keep children safe. They carry out regular risk assessments of the indoor and outdoor areas and remind children how to stay safe in the nursery. They know how to identify signs of abuse and the procedures for reporting concerns.

They are clear about the procedure if an allegation is made about a member of staff. The management team has clear systems for checking the suitability of staff.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: review the organisation of routines to ensure learning opportunities are not interrupted.