Centro Infantil Menchu

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children enjoy speaking in English and Spanish at this bilingual nursery. Children are very chatty and join in enthusiastically with songs and rhymes in both languages.

Staff engage them in conversation and help them gain confidence in speaking to others. Children are happy and make friends. Staff are caring and build emotionally supportive relationships with the children so that they feel safe and secure.

Children play well together and learn to share and take turns in small-group craft activities. They are kind and respectful and help each other.Staff take children out daily to local play spaces, parks, shops and lib...raries.

They learn to use bats, balls and climbing equipment. Children enjoy exploring the natural environment and are curious about spider webs and plants. The manager and staff are ambitious for children, and the curriculum is tailored to meet their individual needs.

Staff know the children well and provide a range of activities. Children make good progress in their learning and development.

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

Children develop a love of books and storytelling.

For example, there is a 'currently reading' book, which is shared regularly. Activities, such as craft activities, are planned to continue conversations about the story based on the characters. Children recall previous events in the story and anticipate what might happen next, helping them to develop their imagination and language skills.

Older children speak confidently and enjoy talking to each other in their play. Staff teach younger children new words to build their vocabulary by naming objects clearly. Staff gather key words for children who speak English as an additional language to help them communicate their needs.

Staff work in partnership with parents to assess children's language development.There is a strong focus on supporting children's well-being and emotional development. Staff help children understand their emotions by using words to describe how they are feeling.

They teach children to manage their behaviour by helping them find ways to solve their problems, such as finding alternative toys when two children want the same thing.All children have an allocated key person who makes sure children's individual needs are met. They work in partnership with parents as the children settle in at nursery to keep them informed about how their child is progressing.

Parents report that staff are very supportive and that they can talk to them if they have any concerns. Parents are happy that their children are gaining confidence in speaking and playing with other children.Staff teach children good hygiene practices, such as handwashing before meals and after using the toilet.

Soap and hand towels are available for children to access themselves. Toilet facilities are easily accessible for all children while they are on site. However, staff have not fully thought through arrangements for younger children who are toilet training, particularly when on outings, so they do not lose confidence in their abilities.

There are a wide range of resources available. Children are encouraged to choose what they would like to do and particularly enjoy sensory activities, such as sand and play dough. Staff are attentive and interact well with children as they learn to use sand toys and magnet blocks.

However, on occasion, staff do not fully allow some children to follow their own interests and explore their own capabilities. For example, at times, staff guide children's hands to write their name or scoop dry pasta into bowls.The manager is a strong role model for the staff team.

She shares her knowledge and experience to inform staff practice. Staff meet regularly to discuss any concerns and keep their knowledge up to date through online and in-house training. The manager has developed good relationships with the local authority to access support for the children attending.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff know how to keep children safe and understand the risk assessments that are in place, particularly at the start of the day and when preparing for outings. They all have paediatric first-aid training and know what to do in an emergency.

All staff receive regular safeguarding training and understand their responsibilities for reporting concerns about children's well-being. There are strong recruitment procedures in place, and staff receive thorough induction training so that they understand their role and responsibilities.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: strengthen arrangements for younger children to learn to manage their personal needs, particularly when on outings further encourage children to follow their interests and develop confidence in their abilities.