Rugrats Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for all children, including those who speak English as an additional language.

They frequently check what children know and can do and use this information to plan what children need to learn next.Children enjoy their time at nursery and are keen learners. They demonstrate confidence and concentration as they select activities and take part in activities led by adults.

For example, children showed fascination as staff showed them how to mix paints to create different colours. They enjoyed trying this themselves and spent a long time painting pictures. They explored how to create different e...ffects using brushes, hands and fingers.

The manager leads the staff team well to provide consistent care and learning for children, which helps them to feel secure at nursery. She ensures that staff receive appropriate guidance so that they fully understand their roles and responsibilities, including how to keep children safe.Staff support children's enjoyment of healthy lifestyles well.

They lead children in an exercise session at the start of each day and ensure that children play outdoors daily. Children enjoy being active as they play. They make healthy choices at snack time and talk enthusiastically about their favourite fruit.

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

The manager and staff get to know the children and their families well. They visit children in their own homes before they join the setting and gather useful information from parents. This helps them to plan the curriculum according to children's needs.

For example, many of the children attending do not have a garden, therefore staff focus on outdoor play and exercise, to promote children's physical health and development.Staff encourage children to be independent and to manage their own care needs. Children confidently carry out tasks such as buttering their toast and pouring drinks at snack time.

Children have a wide variety of experiences, which enhance their understanding of the world. Staff organise regular outings, such as a trip to a farm to harvest vegetables and regular visits to the library and nearby museum. They have developed good links within the local area, such as with the police and a club for elderly people.

Staff guide children's behaviour well. For example, they explain why children should not shout at each other and how this might hurt somebody's feelings. This encourages children to take responsibility for their behaviour.

They play harmoniously and use phrases such as 'sharing is caring' to remind each other about being kind.The manager is committed to developing strong partnerships with parents and supporting children's learning at home. For instance, she organises coffee mornings for parents, to discuss issues such as healthy eating and the importance of reading with children.

Staff generally support children's communication and thinking skills well. They talk to children throughout the day and introduce a wide range of words, to help children develop a broad vocabulary. However, on occasion they do not give children enough time to consider and respond to questions or stop to check children's understanding of new words.

The key-person system works effectively, to help children settle in quickly when they join the nursery and develop strong, caring bonds with staff. Staff provide consistent reassurance, encouragement and praise, which supports children's confidence and self-esteem well.Staff provide a broad range of activities and resources, which enhance all areas of learning.

However, occasionally there are fewer opportunities for children to explore their interest in and understanding of mathematics.Children learn about diversity and enjoy a wide range of experiences, which help them to understand and respect differences between themselves and others. This includes playing with multicultural resources and celebrating religious festivals from around the world.

The manager supports staff well in their professional development. For example, she observes their practice and gives feedback on what they do well and advice on where they can improve their teaching further to enhance children's learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager understands her role as designated safeguarding lead well. She frequently checks staff knowledge of a range of safeguarding issues, to ensure they know how to keep children safe. Staff receive regular training to enhance their understanding of child protection.

They know the signs which might indicate a child is at risk from harm and the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child's welfare. Staff check the indoor and outdoor areas of the nursery each day to identify any potential hazards and help to prevent accidents or injuries.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: nensure more consistency in the ways that staff develop children's thinking skills and support their understanding of new words and ideas further develop the opportunities to support children's understanding of mathematics.