Little Bunnies Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are safe, happy and settled in this welcoming nursery. Following COVID-19, staff greet children at the door.

Children are not fazed by this and readily go into nursery to find their friends. Staff plan the classrooms effectively, supporting children of all ages to engage in purposeful play. Children benefit from a wide range of age-appropriate toys and resources to support their learning.

Staff pay good attention to planning for outdoors, helping to ensure that those children who learn best from being outside can do so. All children have daily opportunities for outdoor play. Children play well together and lea...rn to share and take turns.

They confidently seek out their friends and staff to share in their play. Children enjoy sitting with staff to listen to stories. They demonstrate positive attitudes to learning.

Babies snuggle up with staff to look at books together. Older children sit quietly, listen and concentrate as they participate in simple phonics activities. Younger children thoroughly enjoy music and rhymes.

Children in the toddler room join in enthusiastically with music and movement. They readily follow instructions and move their bodies, bending, stretching, jumping and squatting. Children make good progress and develop the key skills needed to be ready for school.

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

Staff know the children well and talk confidently about them. They use what they know to plan interesting and stimulating activities that are rooted in children's interests. Children who have special educational needs are supported well to help them make good progress.

Staff engage well with the children, playing and supporting their learning through planned and child-initiated activities. Staff know what they want children to learn from activities that they engage in. Children are eager to participate and display strong, natural instincts to discover and explore.

However, while some teaching is of a very high quality, this is not consistent to always challenge children's learning and development to the highest level.Staff across the whole nursery are very good at supporting children's developing communication and language skills, including children who speak English as an additional language. They respond positively to the gestures and babbles of babies and provide a running commentary about what children are doing.

Older children are given time to consider questions before responding.Children respond positively to the high expectations of staff. Staff talk to children in a calm, respectful manner, gently reminding them about the need to share, take turns and consider the needs of others.

They support children's self-esteem well. Staff show a good respect for children's work and give meaningful praise for their efforts.Staff help children develop a positive sense of themselves.

Each child has a named person to take responsibility for their daily well-being, learning and development. In the baby room, the child chooses their key person. Staff manage children's transitions from home to nursery well.

They are exceptionally caring towards the children. Children readily go to staff for cuddles and reassurance.Children learn about the importance of good hygiene routines.

They manage their personal hygiene needs relevant to their age and stage of development. Meals are varied and nutritious. Special dietary needs are met.

Staff respond appropriately when children are unwell, ensuring that their health needs are always met.Staff benefit from an effective programme of supervision. They report that they are happy in their work.

Some staff are working towards recognised early years qualifications. The management team fosters a culture of mutual support to promote staff well-being. Management and staff reflect on the service that they provide.

They are committed to providing a high-quality experience for all children.Parents who contributed their views at the inspection hold staff in very high regard. They are particularly grateful for the unwavering support that they receive as a family in times of crisis.

Parents describe staff as 'caring and friendly'. They feel well informed, both through online communication and the verbal handover reports that they are given when they collect their children. Parents are encouraged to continue to share what they know about their child.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The management team have effective recruitment and selection procedures in place, to help ensure that those working with children are suitable to do so. There is a whistle-blowing procedure in place.

Staff state that they are confident to report concerns about colleagues. All staff complete regular training in child protection. They are aware of the indicators of abuse and know the process to follow if they have a concern.

Staff know how to identify if vulnerable families are being drawn into extreme views or behaviours. They know what to do if concerned.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: build on staff's teaching skills, so that they consistently provide children with the highest quality learning experiences to help them make the best possible progress.