Little Diamonds

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

The manager and staff are passionate about creating an environment where all children can grow and develop in their own individual ways.

Staff spend a great deal of time getting to know the children and use this information to plan activities that cater to each child's individual needs and interests. The curriculum is ambitious and well thought out. Children of all ages are motivated and excited to try new experiences and build on what they know and can do already.

Older children who are learning about autumn, joyfully paint leaves and create their own autumn pictures. Staff link topics and themes to all areas of their... curriculum effectively. For instance, children who are learning about farm animals enjoy visiting their local farm and exploring with diggers and hay during their sensory play activities.

Children have established strong bonds with the staff. Babies giggle and reach out for cuddles. Older children enthusiastically share ideas and have meaningful conversations.

All staff demonstrate a consistently respectful and calm manner, and this makes a strong contribution to children's good behaviour. Children follow instructions and understand staff's expectations of them. The manager has created a friendly and inclusive setting.

This has contributed to a warm and nurturing environment, felt throughout the whole nursery.

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

Staff have high expectations of the children. The strong key-person system means that staff have a good understanding of what their key children already know and what they need to learn next.

This has contributed to children demonstrating high levels of motivation and curiosity in the activities and experiences available to them.The setting's curriculum places great emphasis on children's personal and emotional development. Staff teach children how to look after themselves, and self-care routines such as toileting and handwashing are deeply embedded.

Staff use their regular assessments of the children to plan activities which support children to become independent. This has enabled children of all ages to be highly self-sufficient.The manager observes staff regularly, giving feedback and guidance where needed.

Staff are extremely well supported, which leads to them feeling positive and passionate about their role. The manager is dedicated to creating a strong and well-cared-for team. She makes sure all staff have non-contact time to complete paperwork but is mindful that paperwork is limited to what is essential.

Communication is good throughout the nursery. Staff use signing so that children who speak English as an additional language and children who are still developing their language can participate. However, some staff in the baby room do not consistently model language or provide a narrative of what babies are doing, in order to help babies' listening and speaking skills develop further.

Staff use regular assessments of what children can do to plan children's next steps in their learning. They then use this information to create activities and experiences that will provide the children with the essential knowledge they need for future learning. This enables children to make good progress in their learning and development.

They are well equipped and prepared for the next stage in their learning, including school.Partnerships with parents are good. Parents speak highly of the staff and the care they provide.

Staff hold meetings with parents to share children's progress and development. However, this communication could be further strengthened, to provide parents with more opportunities to learn about the different activities being delivered and consequently support this learning at home.Children enjoy story time and concentrate well.

Staff read stories with enthusiasm and passion. They use this activity to extend children's learning in a range of ways. For example, when reading stories to the children, staff regularly stop and ask questions about what might happen next.

This encourages older children to form their own opinions and share ideas with each other.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff are extremely well trained and knowledgeable with regards to their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe.

They know the signs and symptoms of abuse and have a clear understanding about how to report a possible concern. The manager ensures all staff have regular safeguarding training, and that their knowledge and understanding are always up to date. She uses robust safer recruitment procedures and reviews these processes to check staff's ongoing suitability.

The manager makes sure all staff are kept well informed and updated regarding children with allergies and dietary requirements. Allergy posters are located in all rooms around the setting, and different-coloured plates are used at lunchtime.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: provide even more opportunities for babies to hear language, in order to help them develop their listening and speaking skills effectively strengthen the communication with parents, allowing them more opportunities to learn about the activities being delivered and how to support their child's learning at home.