The Little Village Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Staff have a robust knowledge of children's individual requirements in order to effectively promote their welfare and learning. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where their needs are met by friendly and caring staff. Staff are extremely child-centred.

Robust systems are in place to ensure that the curriculum addresses the children's unique learning development needs and specific learning objectives. For example, staff support young children to manage their feelings and behaviour. Children are extremely confident and self-assured.

They clearly feel secure with the familiar members of staff and con...sistent daily routines. Babies and toddlers explore their surroundings and confidently show feelings such as pleasure and excitement, for example, as they play peek-a-boo or sing their favourite songs and rhymes. Older children foster resilience and develop strong relationships with staff, who are positive role models.

Staff sensitively support children in their play as they create a cash register to use in their shop and help children to build a den using dominoes. Children have a positive attitude towards learning. They are eager to explore and investigate and show perseverance and determination in completing tasks.

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

Staff converse with children as they play. They introduce vocabulary and use repetition to reinforce children's understanding. They commentate on what children are doing, which supports them to make sense of their play.

However, during some activities and routines, some staff do not consistently use skilful questioning techniques. Occasionally, they ask questions in quick succession, which does not encourage children to share their thinking and ideas.Staff promote good hygiene practice with children.

They encourage children to manage their self-care needs, as they independently wash their hands before meals and snacks. However, some staff do not routinely utilise valuable opportunities to teach children about making healthy food choices and the effect that foods have on their bodies.Children have lovely opportunities to be physically active and engage in energetic play.

For example, toddlers enjoy dance sessions with a specialist teacher and operate wheeled toys with increasing confidence. Older children participate in yoga and meditation which helps them to become calm and creates a readiness for learning. The outdoor area is safe and well resourced.

Children enjoy the time they spend outside.Staff manage children's behaviour well. They use clear and consistent reminders to help children understand what is expected of them.

As a result, children behave very well and are beginning to understand right from wrong. They show a kindness and concern for their friends and share and take turns as they play.Parents are very supportive of the nursery and the staff.

Parents value how approachable leaders and staff are. They comment that their children are safe and happy at the nursery and thoroughly enjoy attending. They feel well informed about what their children do and feel confident to speak to staff if they have any concerns.

Leaders frequently observe staff to help them develop their practice even further. They routinely check the quality of staff's work, through purposeful supervision and appraisal meetings, and provide relevant guidance and coaching to support them. Furthermore, staff are encouraged to access a wealth of training to help them improve their knowledge and skills further.

Leaders robustly review children's progress to ensure that they continue to achieve the best possible outcomes. Detailed assessments are completed and an overview is obtained to help identify areas that may need further attention. For example, leaders note that children's experience of technology needs greater consideration.

As such, they have added further resources. These include a technology table in the baby room and additional toys in the toddler room for children to control and operate.Leaders have created a culture of reflective practice.

Together with the staff, they evaluate the nursery well to identify areas of weakness and set targets for improvement. They gather the views of parents and respond to any suggestions made.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Children are safeguarded well because staff are confident in recognising the signs of abuse and the reporting of any concerns or allegations. Staff have received relevant training and in addition, senior staff have attended higher-level training to support their supplementary responsibilities in this field. Rigorous employment checks are in place to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children and remain suitable to do so throughout their employment.

Indoors and outdoors, staff are deployed effectively and supervise children diligently. Daily risk assessment checks are used effectively and ensure the nursery is a safe and secure environment for children to play in.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: support staff to develop their teaching skills so that they consistently use skilful questioning techniques and give children sufficient time to think and respond make greater use of opportunities to teach children about the importance of healthy eating and the effect that food has on their bodies.