YMCA Childcare Providence

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is outstanding

Babies and children show that they are extremely relaxed and feel very safe in the care of the attentive and nurturing staff. They delight in exploring the indoor and outdoor spaces, which are planned with a great deal of thought and expertise.

Children confidently choose from the abundance of rich, varied and imaginative resources that are beautifully presented to capture their interest. For example, they enthusiastically delve into a planter filled with soil and begin to talk imaginatively about making magic potions that give them special powers. There is a constant flow of laughter and singing, and children remain dee...ply engaged with the skilful support of the staff.

For example, they are inspired to get involved in an exciting and energetic hunt for a bear and talk with great anticipation about where they think the bear could be hiding. There are excellent opportunities for younger children to extend their speaking and listening skills. They listen and watch in awe as staff read stories and bring them to life using interesting props and actions.

Children's behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary. They respond extremely well to the consistently high expectations and boundaries promoted by staff. For example, they are gently encouraged to reflect on the choices they make and often express high levels of genuine care and concern for the feelings of others.

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

Staff are highly motivated by the inspirational leadership and management team. They constantly strive to extend their qualifications and introduce new initiatives to help make the nursery even more exciting for children. Staff comment that they are remarkably well supported by the dedicated nursery manager, who closely monitors their workload to ensure is achievable.

Babies settle with great ease. They become highly confident and develop deeply secure relationships with key staff. Staff have an in-depth knowledge of each child's care needs and support their emotional well-being superbly well.

Staff place excellent emphasis on building excellent relationships with parents and go 'the extra mile' to involve them in their child's learning at every opportunity. For example, parents are invited into the nursery to share traditional recipes with the children and to talk about their different cultural practices and celebrations.Exceptional attention is given to meeting children's specific, and sometimes highly complex, dietary needs.

All staff are extremely well informed about children's allergies and are vigilant in making sure the detailed plans for their care are strictly followed. Parents say that they are highly reassured that their child's health needs are given top priority by the staff.Meticulous use of assessment helps staff to swiftly identify when they think a child may need additional help to make the highest possible progress in their learning.

They instigate excellent partnership working with other agencies, such as health and education professionals, to help secure timely and pertinent support for children.Children are extremely keen to take part in the daily 'dough disco' activities, where they respond to music, sing joyfully and use their hands to manipulate dough in increasingly complex ways. This is highly enjoyable for the children and staff alike, and stands children in excellent stead for developing their physical skills in preparation for writing.

Staff show great commitment to helping children to learn how to keep themselves safe at nursery and at home. For example, they introduce a jolly song which inspires children to think about how they can regulate the time they spend on electronic devices and stay safe when using these online.Children are encouraged to make excellent connections in their learning.

They enthusiastically recall their experience of watching a plumber and builder completing tasks during a visit to the nursery. Staff make the most of this by creating a construction area adorned with realistic tools and equipment. Children handle these very competently as they play at building walls themselves.

Children who speak English as an additional language have an excellent care and education experience. They make rapid progress from their starting points, particularly in their social and communication skills. With the attentive support of staff, they begin to extend their interactions with others using spoken English and learn to use picture cards to begin to express their choices and wishes.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Safeguarding is given unquestionable priority. Highly comprehensive policies and procedures help to ensure staff have an expert awareness and understanding of how to identify when a child may be at risk of harm.

Staff know exactly what action they must take if they are concerned for the welfare of a child. The nursery manager makes excellent use of quizzes and scenarios to inspire staff to deepen their awareness of wider safeguarding issues even further. Highly rigorous procedures are in place to check staff's initial and ongoing suitability to work with children and to ensure they know their responsibilities.