St Josephs Pre School Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Leaders and staff create a positive and caring environment for children. Staff get to know children well.

They help them to settle in quickly. Staff talk gently to the youngest children. They show them what happens at the nursery and encourage gradual participation.

Therefore, children quickly become familiar with the routines of the day and develop a positive attitude to their play and learning. Children demonstrate their happiness in the setting as they smile widely when playing with the superhero figures. Children learn to build relationships with others, as staff model social behaviours such as encouraging children... to take turns.

Consequently, children begin to accept the needs of others and display kindness. Children excitedly tell the inspector, 'That's my friend!'Leaders have established a well-considered and ordered curriculum. Planned learning focuses on the development of children's personal, physical and communication skills.

Staff have a clear understanding of how to deliver the curriculum. For example, they provide children with opportunities to become confident in using tools such as glue sticks and scissors to help them develop fine motor control. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, learn new knowledge, skills and behaviours at a good rate.

Children are well prepared for their onward education.

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

The nursery is well organised, led and managed. Leaders have a comprehensive oversight.

They use a range of strategies to reflect on the work of the nursery. This means that they think about what they do well and what they can do better. They swiftly act on their findings, which helps to improve the service for children, families and staff further.

Support for children's communication and language development is given high priority. For instance, staff identify and carefully plan the key vocabulary they want children to learn as they play and explore. Staff model these words through their interactions and frequently share books with children.

As a result, children hear a variety of words. This enables them to build up their own expressive language. Children become more confident in using their communication skills to express their needs and ideas.

Staff closely monitor each child's progress. If gaps in development are identified, staff consult with parents and carers and the special educational needs coordinator (SENCo). Together, they plan a programme of learning that focuses on each child's individual needs.

This is quickly implemented and reviewed regularly to ensure all children make progress in their development.Children enjoy the time they spend in the large outdoor area. Staff encourage children to develop physical skills such as running, jumping, and pedalling.

This helps children to be physically active. However, staff do not always give children consistent messages about developing healthy eating habits. For example, snacks and drinks offered are healthy and nutritious, but some packed lunch items contain high levels of salt, sugar and fat.

Children do not learn enough about the importance of a healthy and balanced diet.Staff set appropriate boundaries for children and help them to understand the expectations of the nursery. This helps children to behave well.

For instance, staff encourage children to be patient and explain that it is unkind to hurt one another. Nevertheless, staff do not always model and promote children's listening skills to support their behaviour. This means children are not always able to follow the requests and instructions of staff.

Staff are skilled in supporting children to develop their early mathematical understanding. For example, staff choose equipment effectively to promote understanding of capacity as children explore water. Additionally, staff introduce counting as they sing number rhymes.

Consequently, children develop their confidence in exploring basic mathematical concepts and begin to use mathematical language. Children are well prepared for school.Leaders and staff help children to learn about the world and others around them.

Staff plan opportunities for children to take part in a range of activities that promote their understanding of different cultures. Children also benefit from visiting places in the local area such as libraries and nearby schools. This helps all children to gain the important information they need for their futures.

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: help children to learn to listen and respond to instructions more effectively help children to learn how to make consistently healthy choices in relation to food and drinks.