Haslemere House Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Staff provide a welcoming environment for children and have established close bonds. This means that children enjoy their time at the nursery, and they feel safe and secure.

The manager has focused on developing the quality of the curriculum to ensure that all children make good progress from their starting points. Children enthusiastically explore their surroundings and are inquisitive to learn new things. Children excitedly talk about the butterflies they have hatched and are introduced to new language such as 'chrysalis'.

Staff are kind and caring and they have fun with the children. They know each child well and ma...ke adaptions to meet their needs. As a result, children laugh and giggle and have positive attitudes towards their learning.

The environment is inclusive, and each child is valued. Older children play cooperatively together and form secure friendships. Younger children are nurtured and are developing important independence skills.

Staff are good role models. They take time to listen to children and support children's behaviour positively. Children understand the routines and know what to expect.

Younger children learn to share as they wait their turn during the 'what's in the box' activity. Older children learn that teamwork makes tasks easier, such as working together during tidy-up time.

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

Since the last inspection, the manager has been reflective and has worked hard to make secure improvements.

The team is proud of what it has achieved through effective evaluation and its ongoing commitment. The manager is a good role model for staff, and she provides effective support and guidance to ensure that staff build their skills. As a result, children are safe at the setting and they receive good-quality care and education.

Staff enjoy working at the nursery and they feel valued. They say that the manager supports their well-being and offers reassuring guidance. Staff have good opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills to support better outcomes for children.

Staff in the baby room have received targeted training in caring for babies which has helped them to focus more on planning for children's interests.Staff skilfully support children to develop their speech and language. They model words clearly as children play and introduce varied and new vocabulary.

Toddlers are introduced to the word 'spiky' as they play with the dinosaurs. Children sing many songs throughout the day. Babies giggle as they sing 'Five Little Ducks' and are fascinated by the hand puppets.

Older children learn early mathematics skills as they count and subtract while singing familiar rhymes.Babies show perseverance as they practise posting shapes into sorters. They are building their physical skills as they throw balls and push wheeled toys.

Overall, the planning for babies supports their needs, although sometimes there is a lack of available sensory play for them to explore through touch and feel.Toddlers show sensitivity as they brush the dolls' hair and dress them. Staff engage children well as they explore the drum and skilfully introduce concepts such as fast and slow.

This supports children to develop important listening skills. Children explore the water play and talk about the pace of the water flow. However, some painting activities do not support children to develop their own personal creativity.

Pre-school children are confident and good communicators. They listen intently to stories and anticipate what might happen next. They excitedly join in the game where they have to guess which item is missing from a tray of objects.

Their responses are quick, showing well-developed observation skills. Outdoors, they can confidently use hoops and balance on beams. However, there is a lack of challenge to extend and develop their large motor skills.

Arrangements to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are good. Staff understand the importance of working closely with parents and other professionals to offer a consistent approach. Children who are learning to speak English as an additional language are also well supported.

Staff make good use of pictorial prompts and sign language to support children's communication and language. Subsequently, children receive good levels of targeted support to maximise their learning.Parents are happy with the care provided to their children.

They say their children enjoy attending and have made good progress in their development. Parents value the feedback they receive from staff through daily discussions and planned meetings. They enjoy listening to their children sing songs that they have learned at the nursery.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: review planned activities for the younger children to provide them with more opportunities to explore with their senses and develop their own creativity nextend the outdoor physical play opportunities available, so that the older and most-able children are provided with an increased level of physical challenge.