Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-School, St Edwards

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in this inviting nursery. There is a warm, family-centred ethos within the nursery. Parents are regularly involved in activities and invited into the nursery.

Children proudly show off their Easter bonnet creations at the parade. They celebrate each other's achievements with kindness and support. There is a strong bond between home and nursery.

This means they work closely together to consolidate children's learning.Older children learn about empathy and build their confidence in new situations. They enjoy regular visits to the local care home, where they build relationships with the elde...rly residents as they share activities and songs together.

Interactions between children and staff are warm and meaningful. They chat and laugh together as they search for 'wiggly worms' in the garden. Children are highly engaged and eager to learn.

Staff have high expectations for all children. Children behave well. They listen and follow instructions.

Even the youngest children stop to help tidy up for snack time. This helps them to take responsibility for their resources and environment.

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

Leaders have designed an exciting and sequenced curriculum that builds on the skills children already have.

Staff gather valuable information from parents when children start and use this to help them set accurate starting points. Staff plan precisely to support children's interests and next steps. This helps children make good progress in their learning.

The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff are fun and engaging. However, sometimes, staff do not consistently make the most of all opportunities to raise the quality of teaching so that children make the very best progress.

For example, when talking, staff do not always repeat the correct words back to children. This does not support children's pronunciation when they are learning new words.Parents speak very highly of the nursery.

They say their children have made good progress. Parents feel well supported with ideas to continue children's learning at home. They are regularly kept up to date with their children's progress via an online system.

All parents spoken to know their child's key person and what their child is working towards next. This strong, two-way communication means gaps in knowledge can be quickly identified and discussed.Older children are well prepared for their transition to school.

They are confident, inquisitive and keen to learn. Children are learning to share and take turns as they negotiate different game ideas together. Sometimes, staff complete tasks for children that they can do for themselves.

For example, staff tend to wipe children's noses or pour their drinks for them. As a result, they miss opportunities to support and encourage children's independence.Children are encouraged to express their own ideas and creativity.

Work throughout the nursery is clearly the efforts of the children. Young babies delight in rolling cars over an archway. Staff support children by role modelling and giving examples, while encouraging children to follow their own interests.

This builds self-esteem as children proudly show off their achievements.Children are learning about healthy lifestyles. They eat balanced and nutritious meals and snacks.

They have access to fresh drinking water and daily outdoor play. Children delight in rolling balls to each other down the hill in the garden. This helps them to strengthen their large muscles and raise their heart rates.

Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is good. Staff sensitively meet the individual needs of children with respect and dignity. Staff are attentive and appropriately manage the complex needs of children.

They know what to do in a medical emergency. This helps children to feel safe, secure and form bonds with staff.Children learn how to be responsible towards the environment.

They know litter causes pollution in the ocean. Children considerately recycle packaging and rubbish. This gives them a wider understanding of their impact on the world.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Leaders and staff fully understand their role and responsibility to keep children safe. They have a good understanding of procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare.

Leaders follow the correct procedure if there are allegations made against staff. The environment is risk assessed throughout the day and the premises are safe and secure. Staff effectively deploy themselves to ensure the safety of children.

Staff count children in and out of the rooms, so they remain safely accounted for. There are robust recruitment procedures in place and ongoing checks mean staff working with children remain suitable.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: give children more opportunities to practise and build on their independence support staff to fully understand the impact of their teaching, so that learning opportunities are consistently high across the nursery.