Sankofa Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision requires improvement Since the last inspection, managers have taken action to make improvements to the quality of care and education.

However, standards remain variable. Leaders have not ensured that all staff consistently implement the curriculum to support children's learning. For example, staff show variable skills as they interact with children.

Most staff do not expand on what children say. This does not always support children with their growing vocabulary. Furthermore, at times, staff do not support children to develop good levels of engagement in group activities.

Despite this, the setting is fully inclusive and welcomes all ...children. Staff receive coaching to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff gather information from parents before children start to support children to settle in.

Children receive cuddles and reassurance by supportive staff. This promotes children's emotional well-being.Although children's behaviour is good overall, effective strategies are not in place to promote this consistently.

Children do not consistently learn how to respond positively to each other. Occasionally, staff walk away when they do not know how to support children in respectful and cooperative play.The chef at the setting prepares nutritious meals for the children.

Staff have systems in place to ensure they always have accurate information about children's dietary needs. Children receive meals and snacks that support their health.

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

Managers value the staff team and carry out well-being and supervision meetings with staff.

However, they have not yet put in place an effective system for evaluating staff's skills and knowledge. Supervision sessions do not have a sharp focus on supporting staff's continuous improvement. This is not fully effective in supporting children's learning outcomes.

Staff do not plan and implement learning that ensures children have exposure to rich language and communication experiences. Staff speak to children, but interactions are not rich and meaningful, to fully enhance their language skills.Overall, children behave well.

For instance, they give each other space to play on the climbing apparatus. However, at times, staff do not explain to children what is right and what is wrong. They do not help children to understand why some behaviours are unwanted.

Children are not learning about how their actions make other people feel.Staff encourage children to sing and learn songs. However, staff show limited understanding of how some areas of the environment impact on children's learning.

The voices of staff are often so loud it reduces and hinders children's listening and attention skills. This does not support children's next stages of learning.Staff do not consistently follow thorough hygiene procedures.

This does not ensure that children's health is always supported. However, staff clean tables before and after mealtimes. They also encourage children to wash their hands as they enter the nursery, as well as before and after eating.

Managers and staff work to enhance children's experiences. They provide suitable outdoor footwear and clothing for rainy weather to promote children's learning experiences outside. They also provide yoga sessions to support children's physical skills further.

These experiences enable children to access a wider range of opportunities.Staff know the children and set up a range of learning experiences that interest them. Some children use painting resources to draw lines and circular shapes.

Young children empty and fill containers at the water tray. All children select and ride tricycles and climb apparatus in the outside area. These activities benefit children's small- and large-muscle development.

Staff arrange books within easy reach of the children. They freely choose books, and staff sit and read to them. Staff create activities around books that children show an interest in.

This helps children to develop an early understanding of literacy.Staff form good relationships with parents. They share information with them about their children's day and what activities they have enjoyed at the nursery.

Staff complete assessments on children and share these with parents. This helps parents to support their children's learning at home.Parents comment that staff are approachable and friendly.

Parents receive information about their children's progress. This promotes parent partnerships.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Since the last inspection, safeguarding practices have improved. Staff and managers demonstrate a good awareness of safeguarding practices. They understand the importance of recognising any cause for concern about a child.

They know how to report any concerns, including allegations against those working with children. Staff are trained to understand the provider's safeguarding policies and procedures. The recruitment of staff is thorough, and individual suitability assessments are completed.

Effective risk assessments are in place to support children and staff to teach and learn in a safe environment.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage, the provider must: Due date improve staff supervision and coaching to help raise the quality of teaching to a consistently good standard 23/01/2024 strengthen staff's understanding of how to support children's communication and language development consistently through rich language and quality interactions 23/01/2024 develop staff's knowledge and understanding to be able to support children's emotional well-being and promote positive behaviour.23/01/2024 To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: help children to focus on developing their listening and attention skills by giving more consideration to the learning environment and reducing staff's loud voices, particularly during group sessions nensure staff consistently follow the nursery's hygiene practices, to support children's health further.