Littlemonkeys Daycare

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Leaders have addressed the weaknesses raised at the last inspection.

Robust systems are now in place to ensure the health and hygiene of children is of utmost priority. Staff routinely encourage children to look after their personal hygiene. For instance, children use tissues to wipe their noses and they wash their hands before mealtimes.

Older children have learned how to manage certain hygiene tasks themselves.Staff have high expectations of children's learning and development. They know what they intend for children to learn during their time at nursery.

Children are keen learners and confidently share some... of the skills they have learned. For instance, children know how to keep themselves and others safe as they explore the local area.Children behave well and have good manners.

They demonstrate a sense of happiness when playing alongside friends or their chosen staff member. Children understand the flow and routine of the day and the familiarity of this helps children feel settled, particularly children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).Staff capture children's interests well.

Older children show excitement as they laugh and sing along to familiar children's songs during their daily dance sessions. Children's excitement piques the younger children's interest and they can also be seen smiling and bobbing along to the music. Children move their bodies in different ways, navigate space around them and develop a love for music.

This all positively contributes to children's overall well-being.

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

Leaders have worked closely with staff to identify areas of their practice that could be better, to raise the quality of their teaching. Leaders also take into consideration the learning needs of the children in attendance and the educational environment.

For instance, leaders identify that some children need extra support to develop their fine motor skills. Staff attended training and have developed their teaching to support children's pre-writing skills. For example, children show focus and perseverance as they thread the right number of cubes onto numbered string.

Leaders have a clear vision for what children will learn at the nursery. They cascade this through the staff to promote a positive learning experience for children. Children enjoy the book of the month about pirates, which is inspiring their chosen play.

They are keen to follow this learning throughout the day and are supported by attentive staff, who understand how to teach children the skills they need. For example, children practise their scissor skills when making pirate patches. They visit the local woodland to hunt for treasure and excitedly find their pirate swords and measure these to compare sizes.

Babies develop their physical skills in the well-designed play space. They are enthusiastic when climbing, they smile and giggle together when exploring the equipment. Babies show good coordination and strength as they pull themselves up to standing, crawl, and slide down the slope.

Children develop good bonds with their key person. The youngest of children snuggle into the caring arms of staff when feeling tired. Staff proactively meet children's emerging needs.

However, there are times throughout the day when staff deployment is not fully considered to meet children's emotional needs.Staff work closely with parents to share their children's development milestones and regular updates on their day. Parents of children with SEND find this particularly helpful.

Although parent partnerships are strong, staff do not gain as much information about children's home-life before they join the nursery. This prevents staff from being able to fully understand children's prior experiences to ensure they receive the support they need, from the start.Children are motivated learners who communicate well.

They are keen to take part in decision-making, including voting for which fruit they will have for snack. Children thrive on responsibilities and take it in turns to prepare snack for their peers. They have good hygiene practices and follow simple instructions when using knifes to butter crackers and to cut fruit.

Leaders engage well with the staff team to ensure their well-being is supported. Staff are complimentary about the support they receive for their health, workload and professional opportunities. This has a positive impact on staff's engagement levels and job satisfaction.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: deploy staff more effectively throughout the day to further enhance the relationships between children and key people develop strong partnerships with parents and other professionals to gain a holistic picture of children's lives to enable staff to fully support children's learning and well-being from the start.