Totstop Day Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are happy at this inclusive and welcoming nursery. They clearly show they feel safe, have a sense of belonging and have their individual needs met well. Staff are very kind, caring and attentive to all children.

Staff successfully create their own sense of community within the nursery for the children and their families.Staff have high expectations for each child. They promote children's independence throughout the nursery.

Babies choose from a wide range of interesting toys, and toddlers put their boots and coats on themselves ready for outside play. Pre-school children help to set up the tables ready for lun...ch. Staff plan effectively for each child's learning and next steps.

They know children well. They plan enjoyable activities that provide challenge to help children continue to make progress across the areas of learning. For example, children thoroughly enjoy taking on the role of bakers.

They use rolling pins and cutters to make 'cakes' from play dough and show pride in their achievements as they count them out to display on a cake stand.Children are interested in and motivated by the good range of activities and they behave very well. They listen to staff, who are good role models for them.

There is a clear sense of respect in this calm and productive nursery.

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

Since the last inspection, the new management team has worked very well with the staff to make significant, positive improvements to ensure all children's needs are met. It has established supervision and monitoring of the staff team's practice.

However, this is not yet focused on each member of staff's individual requirements for their ongoing professional development.The management team values the staff and their commitment to the children in their care. Each member of staff has a small and manageable number of key children they are responsible for.

This enables them to keep up to date with their planning and assessment of each child's learning.Children show a positive attitude to their activities and learning. They are curious and eager to take part.

They enjoy the positive interaction from staff. Children are familiar with the daily routines. They know what comes next during the day.

For example, pre-school children listen to a song at tidy-up time. They enthusiastically help to clear the toys away ready for group time. Babies thoroughly enjoy listening to the staff sing to them.

They bob up and down, smile and clap their hands when they hear familiar songs.Children are developing resilience and persistence. Staff encourage them to continue when they find tasks difficult.

For example, when toys get stuck inside one another, they work diligently to get the smaller toy out by wiggling it around. Children show pride as they give staff a 'high five' when they are successful.The staff team demonstrates a good intent for the curriculum.

It focuses on children's interests and next steps to plan activities that build on what children already know. However, due to recent changes in the staff and management team, the implementation of the curriculum is ongoing and is not yet fully embedded securely across the nursery.Staff get to know children well.

They find out from parents about the experiences children have had before attending the nursery. They use the information to provide activities that broaden children's knowledge and experience. For example, children go on an autumn walk to collect natural items to create artwork, and staff set up a cinema experience for children to watch a favourite film.

Parents speak highly about the nursery. They comment on the progress their children make in their confidence and self-esteem. Parents like the daily feedback from staff about their child's care routines and about the activities they have participated in.

Staff value information from home about children's interests and achievements, and take account of this when planning activities.Children's personal development is promoted well. Relationships within the nursery between staff and children are very positive.

Babies are cared for by a consistent staff team. Staff give their full attention and hold babies closely when they are bottle feeding. Staff respond warmly to young children when they put their arms up for a cuddle.

Children's awareness of a healthy lifestyle is developing. Older children have times during the day when they can choose to play inside or outside, and they are encouraged to be physically active. Children can access drinking water during the day and they enjoy healthy meals and snacks that are prepared by the nursery chef.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff know the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. The manager ensures all staff complete training to keep their knowledge updated.

Staff understand the nursery policy for recording and reporting child protection concerns and the whistleblowing procedures. When new staff are recruited, the management team follows thorough processes to ensure that staff are suitable. Children are safe in the nursery.

The premises are secure and suitable risk assessments are completed. The nursery works to higher-than-required staff-to-child ratios and regular checks are made on children who sleep.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: build on the intent for the curriculum and planning to ensure they are consistently embedded to help all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to achieve the best possible outcomes focus more precisely on staff's ongoing professional development needs to ensure they are focused individually to help raise the quality of teaching to a higher level.