Oak Valley Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are happy and settled at Oak Valley Day Nursery. They enjoy their time at the setting and have built secure attachments with staff. Children giggle with delight as they jump in puddles outside and splash staff.

Staff get to know children's individual personalities well. They meet children's physical and emotional needs swiftly and offer them plenty of affection and reassurance throughout the day. Children have a wide range of activities to choose from, which helps them to develop across all areas of the curriculum.

Staff observe children as they play and adapt activities to follow their lead. For example, as b...abies play with musical instruments, staff incorporate singing to further support their communication and language skills. Staff have high expectations for all children.

They monitor children's progress closely and quickly identify any gaps in learning. Staff put support in place so that all children achieve and develop the skills they need for the future. Children are well behaved and understand the rules and boundaries in place.

Staff teach children right from wrong and reinforce positive behaviour through the use of sticker charts. Children are independent and confident individuals who display positive attitudes to play and learning.

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

Staff obtain a wealth of information from parents before children start at the setting.

This includes children's likes and dislikes, background information and routine. They find out what children already understand, know and can do, and use this information to inform their initial assessments.Children have access to a wide range of activities and learning experiences which help them to develop across all areas of the curriculum.

Staff incorporate children's interests into their planning, while making sure that their learning is central. Although the quality of teaching is good overall, staff do not always fully extend children's thinking skills and learning through trial and error.Children learn about what makes them unique through the well-planned activities on offer.

They develop an awareness of the wider world and local environment. Children enjoy going on nature walks and visits to the local residential home and library.Staff support children's communication and language development well.

They constantly talk to children and expose them to a range of new words and Makaton signs. However, they do not always give children the time they need to respond to questions and prompts.Healthy lifestyles are promoted.

The nursery has an eating policy to encourage parents to provide nutritious lunch boxes for children. Children who eat nursery meals enjoy a wide range of food. They develop their independence as they serve their own meals and snacks.

Staff sit with children to eat. They demonstrate good table manners and talk about the different foods they are eating. Mealtimes are a social occasion.

Staff support children's emotional well-being successfully. Children have access to a cuddle corner in each room. Here they are encouraged to express how they are feeling through photographs and words.

Staff use stories and books to help children to understand different feelings and emotions. Older children enjoy listening to a story about going to school, which sparks lots of discussion.Routine activities, such as mealtimes, are used as learning opportunities to help children to develop skills.

For instance, older children choose what they would like for snack and use coins to buy this from staff. They develop their counting skills.Partnerships with parents are good.

The setting keeps them well informed about children's learning and development. Managers and staff have implemented a range of strategies to involve parents in their children's learning. For example, they provide regular parents' evenings, stay-and-play sessions and parent workshops.

Leaders and managers regularly reflect on the setting and drive forward improvements. They consult with parents and staff about how they can develop the setting. The setting is currently building on the health and well-being of children and staff.

Leaders and managers work closely with staff and monitor their performance effectively through observations, supervisions and appraisals. Staff are well qualified, experienced and knowledgeable.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

All staff know what signs and symptoms might indicate a child is at risk of harm. They understand how to identify and report any concerns they may have about a child's welfare. The manager ensures staff keep their knowledge up to date and all staff are aware of wider child protection issues.

When appointing new staff, the manager follows safer recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are suitable and have the skills they need to fulfil their roles. The setting supports parents to keep children safe and offers paediatric first-aid classes for parents.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: support children's interests in making discoveries and learning through trial and error more effectively give children time to think and respond to questions and prompts to fully support their communication and language skills.