Little Footprints Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Children are exceedingly eager to learn.

They readily take on new challenges and become extremely confident and self-assured. The staff are skilled in knowing when to interact with children to enrich and add depth to their learning. Older children have superb opportunities to develop their early reading and writing skills.

Babies and toddlers enthusiastically explore a variety of natural or sensory materials. They experiment and immerse themselves in trays filled with edible sand, shaving foam, play dough and spaghetti. Children's behaviour is excellent.

Staff support children to find ways to acknowledg...e and recognise strong feelings. For example, staff and children read stories, play games and look at pictures that show different emotions. Children confidently explain how they are feeling.

They show great concern and kindness towards their friends. Staff expertly promote children's understanding of how to keep themselves healthy and safe. Staff have the highest expectations for children's development.

The learning environment is filled with stimulating and varied activities that inspire children's curiosity and desire to learn. Staff understand each child's individual character, motivation and capability. They use this knowledge successfully to implement individualised activity plans.

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

The utmost priority is given to ensuring that all children and babies are settled and feel completely secure in the nursery. Every child's transfer, from their home into the nursery, is carefully managed through a gradual introduction process. In addition, parents provide photographs of family members and familiar people or favourite items from home in a 'comfort box'.

This gives children and babies confidence and a real sense of belonging when joining the nursery.Children and babies experience consistently high-quality learning experiences throughout the nursery. Staff provide language-rich activities and constantly introduce new vocabulary.

They use visual clues, objects and role play extremely well to help all children overcome communication and language barriers. Staff use carefully formed questions to develop conversations especially when encouraging children to recall past events in their lives.Children are enthralled by both new and favourite stories.

They act out what happens when a character flies on a 'jet-pack' and learn what it means to 'hatch a plan'. Children continually look at books for pleasure and often take storybooks home to share with their parents.Children and babies thrive because there are superb arrangements for them to learn about healthy lifestyles.

The routine allows plenty of opportunities for energetic play, as well as time for relaxation or peaceful sleep. The nursery garden supports activities linked to all areas of learning. Children also benefit from the large open spaces in the school's playgrounds and playing fields.

Sports instructors visit the children to help them build on their physical skills.Managers and key persons work as a team to make sure all children learn exceptionally well. They keep an extremely close check on the progress each child makes.

Children's achievements are frequently observed and assessed. Key persons use this knowledge successfully to share information with parents about their children's next steps in learning.All staff show passion and enthusiasm for developing their teaching skills and caring for children.

Reflective practice is at the core of everything that the nursery does. The managers and staff meticulously monitor and review their practice and the educational programmes. Staff continuously build on their qualifications and develop their experience.

They join the school staff to develop their understanding of teaching phonics. Staff also complete training to inspire learning with the very youngest children in the nursery. This contributes to the high morale and dedication amongst the team.

Partnerships with parents are excellent. Parents are proud of the nursery and share overwhelmingly positive feedback. They say that staff are 'incredibly supportive' and 'go above and beyond to help in any situation'.

Staff have forged extremely strong links with the nearby primary schools. This results in children settling into full-time education with confidence.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The directors and managers use an extensive recruitment and induction programme to ensure all staff are suitable to fulfil their roles. Staff have a thorough knowledge of child protection procedures. They take full advantage of training opportunities to deepen their knowledge.

This includes gaining additional information about the potential influences on children regarding extreme attitudes and behaviour. All staff hold first-aid qualifications and can deal with emergency medical situations. Staff also have extremely close links with the local health visitors and there is a defibrillator on site, which staff are trained to use.

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