Little Explorers Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children love their time at the nursery.

They delight in every aspect. Children endlessly explore and investigate the many imaginative activities the staff organise for them. They are confident, thriving learners who show high levels of curiosity.

They settle quickly, eager to participate in their chosen activity. Children feel safe and secure and this underpins their learning. Staff plan the exciting environments and continually review the impact these have on children's independent learning.

For example, children are encouraged to use their imagination and problem-solving skills and work collaborative...ly as they construct a car from recyclable materials such as tubes, chains and wheels. Staff expertly encourage children to gain resilience for their learning, to see a task to its completion through trial and error. For example, children work out how best to thread the chains through the holes to join the wheels together.

Managers and staff carefully observe and rigorously track children's progress. They use the information highly effectively to set targets and plan next steps. There is a strong focus on developing children's communication and language skills.

For example, the superb use of sign language supports those children with limited communication skills. Staff's use of excellent questioning helps children to extend and challenge these skills. For example, children are encouraged to describe the sound made by various objects hidden in an exploration box.

They delight in finding words for themselves, such as 'crunch', 'snip', 'click', 'shake' and 'ding'.

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

The staff expertly increase the level of challenge and frequency of adult-focused activities. This ensures older children are well prepared for the move to school.

For example, they take part in phonics sessions (letters and the sounds they represent) to learn the importance of listening well, to use words to describe sounds and to evaluate their own performances. Staff skilfully take every opportunity to extend conversations and activities to challenge children's thinking.Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make huge strides forward in their learning due to the excellent teaching.

Staff have an unwavering commitment to making sure that they achieve the highest outcomes possible.The manager takes an extremely active role within the nursery and fully supports the team of very enthusiastic and devoted staff. They have participated in a wide range of training to further update their already excellent skills and knowledge.

They use and adapt the latest initiatives to achieve exceptionally high levels of progress. For example, following recent training, staff have refined ways in which they develop children's interest in literacy and mark making. This has been particularly effective in arousing children's interest, especially that of boys.

Staff are inspirational role models, and children are exceptionally polite and behave impeccably. Children follow instructions precisely, and quickly respond to any requests from adults. They willingly approach staff for comfort and support, knowing they will receive plenty of reassurance.

The outdoor environment provides children with stimulating learning experiences, which are of a remarkable quality. There are a myriad of opportunities for children to read, write and develop their number skills as well as their confidence and risk taking. All children access this area together and enjoy the variety that it brings.

They laugh and chat to each other as they investigate pouring water down pipes, watching carefully as it flows away.Parents are very enthusiastic to share highly positive feedback about the nursery. They are involved in their children's learning at every stage.

Information is continually shared to encourage and support learning at home. This partnership contributes greatly to the children's success at the nursery.Staff encourage children to develop extremely healthy lifestyles and meet their dietary requirements very well.

Children are taught about the importance of good dental hygiene. They benefit greatly from the large open areas in the indoor and outdoor spaces that encourage physical activity. For example, children are able to participate and enjoy activities such as 'hide and seek' in the garden and musical movement inside.

The manager and the deputy manager are highly experienced leaders. They steer their staff extremely well and provide excellent support to maintain the highest quality of teaching and learning. They demonstrate and role model the activities and initiatives they would like to introduce.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a broad understanding of wider safeguarding issues. They have extensive knowledge of how to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and they understand fully the procedures to follow to ensure children are safe.

Staff consistently implement the manager's robust policies and procedures. Rigorous risk assessments ensure that children's health, safety and well-being are fully promoted. Robust recruitment and selection procedures are in place to ensure that the staff who work with the children are suitable to do so.