Sunshine Day Nursery 2003 LTD

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children show they feel safe, happy and settled in the friendly atmosphere of the nursery. They form warm and caring relationships with their key person, who gets to know them well. This helps staff to provide a well-planned curriculum based on children's interests, their observations and the information they receive from parents.

Children display a strong sense of belonging at the nursery and behave very well. They learn to share their toys, take turns and use good manners. Staff are very good role models.

They show a great deal of warmth and affection for the children they care for. Children are provided with clear a...nd consistent boundaries to help them understand what is expected of them. Staff frequently praise children, helping to build their confidence and self-esteem.

Staff have high expectations of what individual children can achieve. Children are eager to join in activities and learn new skills. They use their imaginations well as they act out real-life experiences, using the many role-play resources.

For example, they pretend to make tea, do the cleaning and put their dolls to bed. Children happily take part in many activities that support them in acquiring the key skills they need for future learning.

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

The provider, manager and staff are dedicated and enthusiastic.

They make good use of self-evaluation to identify the strengths and areas for development in the nursery. The manager values comments from children, parents and staff. Their feedback supports her in continuing to move the nursery forward.

The well-established key-person system enables staff to work closely with parents. Staff spend time with the children and their families to help them settle before they start at the nursery. They share information with parents about children's daily progress and the activities they have enjoyed.

Parents appreciate the suggestions they receive to support their children's learning at home. They say that they find staff very friendly and approachable.Children are able to make choices and develop their independence skills.

Staff encourage and support toddlers to feed themselves. Older children pour their drinks and serve their meals. They gain a sense of responsibility as they pass the dish of vegetables to their friends.

Children happily help staff to tidy away the toys at the end of the session.Staff introduce new words to children during play. This helps to promote their communication and language skills.

Older children learn to link letters and sounds. Staff continually talk to children, asking questions and encouraging them to share their ideas. Children enjoy singing songs and rhymes and listening to stories.

Children are provided with freshly prepared snacks and meals each day. Staff ensure they meet children's dietary requirements. Children enjoy regular fresh air and exercise.

This helps them to develop their physical skills and supports their good health and well-being.Younger children have a good range of opportunities for investigating and exploring natural materials. Sensory toys and resources are used imaginatively so that they can explore different textures.

For example, they enjoy activities where they use foam and paint, and have great fun playing in the fallen leaves.Children enjoy playing in the nursery garden. They use magnifying glasses to hunt for bugs.

They plant pumpkins, carrots and strawberries and watch them grow. This helps their understanding of growth and changes over time.Staff encourage children to develop their understanding of the wider world, such as people who help them.

For example, they enjoy a visit from a police officer. They learn about how she helps people, and how they can keep themselves safe.Children have fun working in small groups, developing their concentration and listening skills.

They are showing an interest in illustrations and print in books. However, staff do not always make the most of opportunities to extend children's early literacy skills during activities.Although staff are supported well, the manager does not regularly observe staff's practice in order to help them develop their teaching skills to the highest level.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.All staff have a good knowledge of child protection issues. They have a clear understanding of the possible signs that might indicate a child may be at risk.

They know what to do if they have a concern about a child's welfare. Staff regularly update their safeguarding training. This means that they have a very good knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, such as children being exposed to extreme views and behaviours.

Staff follow robust policies and procedures in line with current legislation to support their good practice. Strong recruitment procedures ensure staff are suitably checked before they work with children.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: make the most of opportunities to extend children's early literacy skills during activities strengthen the supervision arrangements to focus more precisely on developing and enhancing staff's teaching skills to the very highest level.