White House Nursery Alfreton

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children clearly enjoy the time they spend at the setting. They are happy, energetic and motivated learners who show high levels of respect for each other as they play. Children behave well and are aware of expectations throughout the day.

Staff are good role models and give children clear messages about behaviour expectations.The providers, managers and staff team have worked hard to develop the nursery since opening and children have access to unique features, such as a roof-top garden. A wide variety of resources are available.

Children use these safely to suit the purposes of their play. High levels of supervision ...ensure children's good health and safety is promoted effectively. Overall, staff have high expectations of children's learning.

They know children well and have a good understanding of their backgrounds and families. Staff spend time finding out from parents about their children's interests and developmental stage before they start at the setting. This contributes to staff establishing an effective starting point for children's future learning.

Older children are supported particularly well to develop key skills, such as listening and responding to complex questions. They are confident to share their experiences and create pictures of recent bonfire night celebrations. Managers recognise there are weaknesses in some aspects of teaching, particularly linked with the younger children who attend the nursery.

They demonstrate a proactive response to addressing this.

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

A significant strength of the nursery is the quality of the relationships between staff and children. Children settle quickly due to the very caring and welcoming nature of the staff, and well-established routines.

They become increasingly independent in their personal care, putting on their warm, outdoor clothes and pouring their own drinks at snack time.Children's unique qualities are embraced. Staff involve parents in nursery activities and invite them to share their children's personal and cultural celebrations.

This enables children to widen their experiences and learn to respect diversity and the culture of others.Good overall arrangements are in place to observe where children are in their development. Staff use information gathered to identify children's next steps in learning.

However, assessments staff complete of the progress children make are not always used to plan activities to challenge children to the highest level.Babies and toddlers settle well and develop strong relationships with their key person. Staff show genuine interest in children's activities.

They support them as they explore and offer sensitive care to children who are tired or upset.However, staff occasionally use language that is too complex for the stage of development of the younger children. They do not consistently adapt their language effectively to enable them to develop their skills, such as using single words.

Children access a wide range of activities and experiences both inside and outdoors. However, on occasions, not enough thought is given to further extending some activities so children are consistently challenged to the highest level.Parents speak extremely highly of the nursery.

They say that the managers and staff are 'so caring' to parents and children. Parents comment on how staff work with them to help support their children. For example, they share ideas regarding activities to do with their children at home.

Staff engage toddlers well during story time. They read with enthusiasm and encourage children to join in with familiar parts of the story. Staff discuss the story and children anticipate what comes next.

Children concentrate and show good listening skills. They respond positively to the praise that staff give them.The management team is extremely driven to provide high-quality care and education.

They work closely with staff, parents and outside agencies to evaluate practice and help to move the setting forward. Action plans and audits are in place to help maintain the good-quality provision.The management team focuses on raising the quality of teaching.

They have implemented a programme for staff's professional development and systems to monitor good practice.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a good understanding of how to protect children from harm.

They know how to identify and report their concerns about children to keep them safe. Staff ensure the nursery is safe, secure and well maintained. They act swiftly to ensure they deal with hazards and ensure a thorough risk assessment is carried out.

Managers ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Good recruitment and induction procedures help staff to understand their role in keeping children safe.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: continue to refine assessment systems and support staff in precisely planning what children need to learn next, to help them make even greater progress strengthen teaching and provide further opportunities for babies and young children to extend their early speaking skills support staff to provide activities that are finely tuned to fully extend each child's learning.