Once Upon a Time Day Nurseries

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children happily arrive at the nursery, where friendly staff greet them at the door, and they separate easily from their parents.

Staff know the children well and set up activities that capture their interests. Children quickly engage in play and learning from the outset. They build positive relationships with their key person and enjoy participating in key-group activities, such as completing puzzles.

Children's skills are developing very well, supported by the consistent praise and encouragement that they receive from adults.Staff have high expectations for children. Children benefit from a curriculum that helps them... to develop a positive attitude to learning and supports their well-being.

Children are motivated to try new things and have a go. They persevere in learning how to use scissors, and show pride in their achievements. Staff communicate well with children and focus on their language development.

For instance, they consistently model language and help children to improve their vocabulary by talking to them as they play and adding new words. Children understand what is expected of them. They are well behaved.

Staff model how to be kind and respectful to others. When disagreements occur, staff calmly intervene to meet children's needs.

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

The regular monitoring of children's progress enables staff to quickly identify any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Targeted interventions are then devised and referrals made, if necessary, to help children to catch up with their peers.Staff provide a welcoming and inclusive environment. They actively promote the diverse cultures and languages of the children who attend the setting.

Children have good opportunities to explore their similarities and differences. Staff and children celebrate a range of cultural festivals and events together throughout the year. This helps children to develop tolerance and respect for other people and communities.

Outside play is a prominent part of the daily routine for all children. This is because staff understand that some children do not have access to an outside play area in their home life. Staff enable children to access a wide range of activities and resources during outdoor play, which enable children to thrive.

For example, children play imaginatively and show an awareness of space as they manoeuvre around objects when riding bikes.Staff understand the importance of children developing their hand muscles in preparation for writing. For example, children enjoy manipulating play dough and making marks with paints.

They enjoy looking at books and using pens and pencils to draw and make marks.Parents comment on how much their children enjoy attending and say that they speak affectionately about staff at home. They describe the openness and integrity of the provider and staff, which reassures them that their children are safe and well cared for.

Parents appreciate the detailed feedback they receive on their children's learning and experiences in the setting. They say that their children make good progress, particularly with their language and social skills.Staff plan opportunities for children to develop their independence skills.

Young children learn to feed themselves with a spoon. Older children begin to serve themselves and use a knife and fork. Children learn to pour their own drinks.

They find their coats and begin to try to put them on themselves. Children become independent learners.Children learn about healthy foods and the importance of drinking water regularly.

However, hygiene practices are not always consistent. For example, while staff remind children to wash their hands after using the toilet, on some occasions, they do not encourage children to clean their runny noses with tissues. This inconsistency increases the risk of infections spreading.

Staff do not consistently support children in developing healthy lifestyle habits.The provider implements a programme of supervision and training to help develop the practice and knowledge of staff. However, she recognises that there is scope to extend and embed the current strategies to help staff to develop their teaching skills and practice to a consistently high level across the team.

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: consistently teach children how to follow hygiene procedures and learn how to reduce the risk of spreading infection strengthen the individual support, mentoring and coaching of all staff to improve their skills and the quality of teaching to the highest level.