YMCA @ Hurst Hill

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are happy in this welcoming nursery, and demonstrate a positive attitude towards their learning. They are curious learners, with a can-do attitude.

Throughout the nursery children initiate their own play, as they choose from a wide range of resources. Children develop independence from an early age. For example, babies and toddlers routinely help to tidy away the toys they have played with.

Older children help themselves to tissues from the nose-wiping station, dispose of the used tissues in the bin and wash their hands independently. Children develop strong bonds with the kind and caring staff. Children who a...re new to the nursery settle quickly.

Children develop a love of books. Babies initiate story time, as they take books to the staff and snuggle onto their laps. They are keen to turn the pages and point out characters and objects that interest them.

Older children select books as they play. They sit with their friends and talk about the story. Children giggle as they make up their own versions.

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress in their learning and development in comparison to their starting points. Children are gaining the skills and attitudes they need in preparation for their move onto school.

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

The dedicated management team lead the nursery well.

They have high expectations for all children. They provide a broad, varied and well-sequenced educational programme that supports children to make good progress. The programme is flexible to enable the team to make adjustments, so they can focus on areas where children need more support.

For example, currently the staff have an emphasis on children's language development and independence.The management team carries out regular supervision meetings with staff to discuss their performance, well-being and their key children's progress. They provide staff with regular training opportunities to support them to update their knowledge and skills.

The SEND coordinator works with closely parents and external agencies to ensure children get the support they need. Staff have targeted plans in place to help children with SEND make good progress in their learning.Parents speak highly of the staff.

They comment on the good progress their children have made since starting at the nursery.Staff conduct regular observations and assessments of children's learn and plan activities to match their learning needs and interests. However, staff do not always take account of the age and abilities of children during group activities.

As a result, staff do not always fully promote the youngest children's learning during these times.Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. They support children to follow clear boundaries that help them to learn right from wrong.

Children are respectful to each other and listen attentively to staff. Babies willingly pass toys and resources to each other. Older children show kindness towards one another.

For example, when it is time to go outdoors children go and get coats for their friends without prompt.Staff support children's mathematical development. For example, as children play, staff provide opportunities for young children to count and encourage older children to use simple calculations.

Staff help children to develop their language skills well. They sing lots of songs with children throughout the day. Staff read stories with good intonation and enthusiasm, which engages children.

They encourage children to talk about the characters in the book and what happens next, and to predict endings. Staff help children to learn new words in context. For example, as children enjoy their snack, staff talk about the orange 'segments'.

Staff use sign language and visual aids to further support children's communication development.Children benefit from and thoroughly enjoy the morning exercise activity outdoors. They giggle as they jump, stretch and run on the spot.

Children enjoy the time they spend outdoors. However, staff do not fully promote children's learning potential in the nursery's outdoor area, because they have not yet developed it yet to help to promote children's skills in all areas of learning. This does not support children who prefer to learn outdoors.

The health and well-being of the staff team is very important to the management team. They ensure that staff workload is manageable. Staff say they feel well supported and valued.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Managers and staff are clear about the procedures to follow in the event of a safeguarding concern, or an allegation against a member of staff. They have a secure knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm.

Effective risk assessments are in place to help to identify and remove any hazards in the environment, so that it is safe for the children to play in. The manager has robust recruitment procedures in place to help to deem staff suitable to 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: support staff to take more account of the different ages and abilities of children when planning group activities, so that all children can be fully involved support staff to enhance the outdoor environment to provide learning experiences that are rich, varied and stimulating, particularly for those children who prefer to learn outdoors.