Kangaroo Pouch Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children thrive in this caring and welcoming nursery.

They settle extremely well and develop very strong attachments to their key person. Staff skilfully support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They use a variety of strategies exclusively designed to support children's individual needs.

The environment is highly stimulating with a broad range of activities and easily accessible resources. Staff create 'cosy areas' to support children who require time to work quietly with an adult or on their own. Children enjoy making their own scented play dough, adding lavender to the flour and wat...er they are mixing in their bowls.

Staff extend children's vocabulary as they use descriptive words while narrating what the children are doing. Children engage in small-group activities to learn specific skills and knowledge. Sometimes, however, the organisation of small-group activities hinders potential learning opportunities.

Overall, children behave well. The manager and staff strive to provide a wealth of experiences in the wider community. They take the children on an extensive range of outings to teach them new skills and broaden their knowledge.

For example, children visit interactive museums, local libraries, a Hindu temple, and take part in organised forest-school experiences.

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

The manager and staff are passionate about providing a motivating and nurturing setting. They deliver excellent support for children with SEND and children who speak English as an additional language.

Staff work closely with other professionals and children's families to support their welfare and all-round development. There are close links with other settings that children also attend and they regularly share information to provide continuity in children's education and care.Planning systems are continuously adapted to meet the needs of the current cohort of children.

Activities are meaningful and help children to make good progress in preparation for school. For example, outside, children choose to conduct a survey of different types of transport that pass the nursery. They record the total number of vehicles by using marks or writing recognisable numbers.

Staff are good role models. As a result, children demonstrate excellent manners. They say 'please' and 'thank you'.

They display empathy towards each other, comforting their peers when they get upset and asking the children if they are alright.Children regularly participate in small-group activities to learn specific skills and knowledge. For example, children develop their understanding of rhyme and linking letters to sounds.

However, children who are not yet ready for more targeted work can distract others and subsequently, their usually good behaviour declines. This means that planned activities to further challenge the more-able children are missed.Parents are highly complimentary about the nursery.

There is good sharing of information using the online system, and several opportunities to meet with their children's key person to discuss their children's progress. Parents comment that they enjoy the activity packs, which they use to help support their children's next steps in learning at home.The manager supports staff to develop professionally with effective supervision sessions.

She undertakes observations of staff, and peer observations are in place to help them identify development points and set targets. Staff have access to an online training package that helps them to remain professionally up to date. The quality of teaching is good.

Children are provided with healthy snacks and opportunities for physical exercise inside and outdoors. Every chance is taken to develop children's independence, such as spreading butter on their crackers or pouring their own drinks. Children are praised as they persevere in taking off their outdoor clothing and putting it away.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and her staff have a good understanding of the signs that may indicate children are at risk of harm. They know the procedures to follow to report any concerns.

Staff are alert to signs that children may be at risk of extreme views and behaviours. The manager ensures all staff receive safeguarding training and regular updates. When appointing new staff, safer recruitment procedures are followed.

Staff are effectively deployed to help ensure that children are always supervised. Risk assessments are regularly carried out to identify and reduce hazards.

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 some small-group activities to ensure they meet the needs of all the children participating.

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