Speckled Hen Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision requires improvement Risk assessments do not fully identify all aspects of the environment that need to be checked regularly, particularly in food preparation areas.

This does not fully support children's good health. Staff supervision arrangements do not fully support staff in their roles. The onus of managing the nursery is often on room staff.

Consequently, standards of hygiene and coaching for staff are inconsistent, which has an impact on the quality of care and education for children. The provider has not completed suitability checks for all staff in a timely manner. There is minimal impact on children in this instance as this is well m...anaged by the staff team.

Staff without suitability checks are not left unsupervised with children. Children enjoy their time at the nursery and quickly form attachments with the friendly and attentive staff. Staff support children to behave well and understand their feelings and emotions.

Children listen to staff and meet their expectations. For instance, children follow instructions and walk carefully to the outdoor area, holding hands to stay safe. Staff teach children to become independent.

For example, young children put on their own coats and manage their self-care needs. Staff support children to make progress in their learning and development.

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

The provider has some risk assessments in place.

However, they are not all specific to the nursery, nor do they fully support staff to maintain consistently good hygiene standards. For instance, nappy bins are stored in the kitchen area. This poses a potential risk to children's health.

The provider does not ensure consistently strong leadership and management. For example, suitability checks are not completed for all staff in a timely manner, and the day-to-day management is often left to staff. For instance, deputy managers cook, complete administration tasks and are responsible for less-experienced staff in addition to their prime role of teaching children.

Staff manage well and do not leave unchecked staff unsupervised with children. However, the lack of strong management has an impact on the morale of staff and on the quality of care and education.Staff attend some training courses that enhance their skills.

The provider also has plans for further training for staff. However, staff do not have opportunities for regular supervision to support their personal and professional development. This has an impact on how well the quality of education and teaching is maintained.

Staff have an appropriate level of knowledge for their roles, and interactions with children are supportive. Staff know children well and plan activities that promote their learning in key areas. Therefore, children make progress in their learning.

Children confidently lead their own play and enjoy involving staff in their games. They enjoy craft activities and baking. They laugh as they hide behind trees in the garden area.

Children demonstrate positive attitudes towards their play.Staff read and sing with children, promoting their language skills. Babies enjoy looking at books, and staff help them to turn the pages.

Staff are good role models and offer children a wide vocabulary to hear and practise. Children's communication and language skills are supported.Staff help children to develop their early mathematics skills.

They count together frequently during everyday activities and discuss shape and size as they play. Consequently, children are confident in their early understanding of number and begin to form a sound base for their future learning.Children have opportunities to play in the fresh air.

They develop their coordination skills on the ride-on wheeled toys. Staff plan activities such as shaping dough, which helps children to develop strength in their small muscles. Staff promote children's physical skills well.

Staff help children to develop confidence as they understand and follow the routines of the day. For instance, young children know that it is nap time after lunch. Staff talk to children about what will come next in their day, which enhances their feelings of security.

Staff take children on outings in the local area, and they choose books on visits to the library. Children enjoy a visit from local police officers and learn about the people who help us. Children are beginning to learn about their community.

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 meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage, the provider must: Due date ensure that risk assessments identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis 29/08/2024 ensure that deputy managers have the necessary skills and knowledge to take charge in the manager's absence 29/08/2024 ensure that suitability checks are completed for all staff in a timely manner 04/09/2024 ensure that procedures are in place for effective staff supervision to coach and support staff and facilitate continuous improvement.

29/08/2024