House Martins Childrens Day Care Centre

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are very happy and settled at the nursery. Babies snuggle happily with their familiar adult until they go to sleep. They doze off contentedly because their individual sleep routines and preferences are matched by staff.

Parents and staff believe the warm trusting relationships, and the firm bonds at all levels, are a key strength of the setting. This is evident in all aspects of nursery life. Children behave exceptionally well.

With only a little adult prompting, they share and take turns very well according to their stage of development. They often say 'please' and 'thank you' spontaneously as they play. Chil...dren beam with pride when they are praised for their efforts and their successes.

They become confident motivated learners. The provider acknowledges the impact that the COVID19 pandemic has had on children, parents and staff. Staff worked hard to minimise any impact on children's well-being and development.

For example, they kept in touch with families via an online application. They shared ideas for activities, read stories and checked that children and families were safe and well. Some parents told us that the support they received during those very difficult times was second to none.

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

Staff know the children in their care exceptionally well. They talk fondly about children's developing personalities, preferences and aptitudes. They plan an exciting, well-sequenced curriculum that helps children to make consistently good progress.

For example, younger children enjoy number rhymes. Older children go on to have great fun counting how many ducks they have fished out of the water.Staff share insightful observations on children's learning and development with parents.

This sometimes includes specialist support for children's language development. Parents say that the photographs and detailed explanations of their children's learning are useful. This helps them to support their children's development at home.

The cook works closely with childcare staff. They easily meet the children's individual needs and preferences. Children enjoy the healthy meals and snacks.

Older children capably serve themselves and often have more than one portion. They develop very pleasant table manners and use cutlery increasingly well.Children learn to keep themselves healthy.

Hygiene procedures are followed at all times. Babies are relaxed and happy while they have their nappy changed. Older children know that they need to wash the germs off their hands before having lunch.

They wash their hands independently as they come indoors. Staff are vigilant in helping children to blow their noses.Children engross themselves in the well-planned outdoor area.

There are lots of opportunities for children to explore and create. For example, they concentrate well as they build habitats for the dinosaurs and compare them to the pictures in the book. They develop their strength and balance as they move the planks and walk along them.

Parents say that their children's access to outdoor play and learning is a strength at the setting.Children develop a love of fiction and non-fiction books. Babies often explore the cloth and board books.

They investigate the moving parts and different textures. Older children talk with enthusiasm about the book they have chosen on their regular library visit. They join in enthusiastically at story time.

There is considerable support for children's early language development. This includes the involvement of other agencies and support for parents. Staff working with babies help them to make the sounds they will need as they begin to talk.

Babies particularly like singing 'E I E I O' and making other repetitive sounds. Staff help older children to increase their vocabulary. Children speak increasingly clearly.

However, there are times when songs are sung a little too quickly for young children to join in. There are also times when children might have their dummy in their mouths a little longer than necessary. This means that not all children practise their developing skills as often as they could.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is a strong culture of safeguarding throughout the nursery. This relates to children, their families and staff.

Staff are confident in the signs that might mean a child is at risk of harm. They understand the difficulties that families sometimes experience. Leaders have considerable experience in working with other agencies and services to ensure that everyone gets the support they need.

Safeguarding training is prioritised for all staff. Children learn the necessary skills to keep themselves safe. Toddlers learn to use the staircase safely.

Older children's impeccable behaviour supports their safety when they are out and about. They are used to listening to and heeding adults when they are spoken to.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: continue to monitor the quality of teaching to provide even more consistent support for children's early language development.