Little Doves Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children show great enthusiasm when they arrive at the nursery and are greeted by staff, who welcome them warmly.

The atmosphere is extremely relaxed, homely and calm, and children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They show incredibly positive attitudes towards their learning. Younger children express delight as they look at books with staff.

They enjoy making the noises of the animals and stomping their feet. Older children burst with pride and excitement when they are chosen to play characters in books. They are keen to demonstrate what they know and can do, and show great resilience if they need to persev...ere to succeed.

Children develop their independence during daily routines, such as clearing their plates at lunchtime and having a go at putting their boots on. Opportunities for outdoor play are plentiful. In the garden, children run around and ride on bikes.

They are hugely respectful of each other and demonstrate excellent social skills. Children's behaviour is exemplary. Younger children play happily alongside their peers, and older children develop friendships.

Children take turns, share resources, respect others and use good manners. When they would like their turn to play with a toy, staff teach children to use their voice. Children respond by saying, 'Please can I have.

.' They are keen to invite visitors into their play and are confident to talk about their experiences.

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

Staff have extremely high expectations of themselves and the children.

They use their expert knowledge and understanding of how children learn to provide exciting, enjoyable and challenging activities. Children use scales to weigh potatoes and carrots. They compare the sizes and weights of the vegetables and sort and count them, showing their skills in measuring and counting.

Staff place significant importance on children developing their independence. As a result, children are extremely confident, independent and motivated learners. However, during some spontaneous learning experiences, staff do not always recognise when to adapt their teaching to enhance opportunities for children and to move their learning on even further.

Staff support children well to learn good hygiene routines, such as handwashing and disposing of used tissues in the bin. When younger children begin to use the toilet, staff encourage them, exceptionally well, to take an active part in their own self-care. Children grow and harvest fruit and vegetables.

They develop positive attitudes towards trying the foods they have nurtured.Staff bring stories alive. They are skilful in creating a sense of wonder.

They help children to sequence events through the art of storytelling, and every child maintains attention throughout. Staff provide plentiful opportunities for children to participate in retelling stories. Children become confident and able communicators.

They receive constant praise for their efforts. This gives children the confidence and desire to try harder.Children are happy and settled in the nursery, including those who have recently joined.

Babies benefit from highly knowledgeable and experienced staff, who regularly gather detailed information from parents to ensure that they can mirror home routines in the nursery. The key-person system is effective. Children have a consistent familiar face when they are new to the setting and develop secure emotional attachments with staff who understand their needs.

Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that they meet children's individual needs. Parents speak extremely highly of the owner and staff.

They appreciate the efforts staff make to maintain effective communication. Parents express how staff have kept in touch with them during the COVID-19 pandemic, for example through emails, phone calls and by setting up virtual links. This contact has helped children to be able to continue their learning by taking part in activities remotely.

The provider leads the nursery with a strong sense of direction. This motivates staff to continually improve their knowledge and skills. The provider values staff as the most important asset of the nursery.

Staff are respected and receive extensive recognition for their hard work. The provider continually monitors and reviews the nursery to further improve the ongoing quality.Older children manage their own risks and understand how to keep safe.

For example, when handling scissors, they explain that they are sharp and that they need to be careful.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of what to do if they have concerns about children's welfare.

They are able to identify the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. Staff know and follow appropriate child protection procedures and are confident of what to do if they have any concerns about children or staff. The provider follows safer recruitment procedures when employing staff.

This helps to ensure that staff are suitable for their roles. The provider ensures that staff attend relevant training to deepen their knowledge of safeguarding issues.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: support staff to be even more aware of children's spontaneous interests, to move children's learning on even further.