Little Rockets Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children's well-being is a priority at this nurturing setting. They walk into nursery with a smile and are greeted warmly by staff. Staff talk to each family as children arrive at nursery and find out any news that they have to share.

Children settle in well and have a tailor-made transition process suited to their needs. Staff enable children to guide their key-person system. They allocate children to staff based on their positive relationships.

Children behave well and learn about their feelings and those of others. Children learn about how to be healthy and grow their own fruits and vegetables. They use these to coo...k their own meals and learn the skills of slicing, weighing and mixing.

Children enjoy 'fitness Fridays' as they develop new skills and learn about the effects of exercise on their bodies. They explore their surroundings and learn to count up to 10 as they play hide and seek in the large forest area. Children also learn how to manage risks as they jump, balance and crawl through the trees and hedges.

They benefit from experiences in and around the environment that they live in. For example, children visit the local farm and library and have recently attended the community centre to meet with the mayor and local police.

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

Children access a curriculum which is based on their needs and interests.

Staff get to know the children well and are aware of some of their next steps, which are shared regularly with parents. Each key person plans dedicated activities for their key group. They link activities to the story of the week and create multi-sensory sessions for children to explore different tastes, textures and smells.

However, sometimes, staff miss opportunities to enhance learning further by providing additional challenge. This can prevent children from engaging in active learning and opportunities to think critically.Parents speak very highly of the staff and the whole family support they receive.

At a recent parents' evening session, some parents requested additional support with their children's behaviour at home. Staff recognised and responded to the differing needs of some families. They have organised a parenting workshop to focus on behavioural expectations and ways to promote continuity at home and in nursery.

Children are encouraged to be independent learners. They make choices about what they want to play with. Children are becoming aware of others and show consideration and care as they help each other to tidy up resources at the end of an activity.

They know that they should wash their hands after being outside and before eating to promote their health and well-being. All children are encouraged to feed themselves, which helps them to develop strength and coordination. These opportunities help children to develop key skills and be prepared for their future learning and eventual move on to school.

Staff have identified communication and language as a priority for development. They established 'chatty snack', where they ensure that mealtimes are social occasions in which children and staff hold meaningful conversations. Some staff use Makaton signing alongside speech to support children's development of spoken language.

During care routines, staff make the most of opportunities to develop language through talking and rhymes. Children are making good progress in their communication and language skills.Managers have created an environment that embraces equality and diversity.

Children and staff are treated as individuals and adjustments are made to cater for their unique needs. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive additional support from staff to develop their communication skills. They have use of a sensory room to explore lights, sounds and textures in a calm environment.

Children enjoy these nurturing experiences and show that they feel safe and secure.There is a culture of continuous professional development in the nursery. For example, staff are encouraged to upskill through initial and further training, and they are supported to access training that they are interested in.

However, some staff are not fully aware of what they need to work on to strengthen their practice, and opportunities for professional development are not always clearly identified.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse.

They know what to do and who to report to if they have concerns about a child's welfare or a colleague's conduct. Staff carry out appropriate risk assessments. They take steps to teach children how to manage risks and to keep themselves safe as they learn through play.

Regular fire drills teach children how to leave the building safely in an emergency. Managers have a good understanding of safer recruitment practices and ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: provide more challenging experiences to help children to engage in active learning and to think critically nidentify clear targets and focus professional development opportunities to help staff enhance their practice.