Playdays

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children have good relationships with staff, who provide activities that support their interests. They access a wide range of books, both indoors and in the garden.

Skilled staff use 'The Colour Monster' story to enable children to explore and understand their emotions. Children discuss what emotions link to each colour and how they can help people who are feeling sad. For example, children talk about giving someone a cuddle if they are feeling sad.

Babies explore various resources with great interest. For example, they attempt to complete a shape sorter and staff give them praise for working out the correct hole for t...he shape. Staff sit with babies while they sleep after lunch, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Children enjoy fresh home-cooked meals. They have the opportunity to contribute to the menu and choose to have pink custard for pudding. Children enjoy playing in the large garden area and go on regular walks in the local environment.

They take part in drama sessions and go on outings to outdoor play sessions. Children begin to understand the risks in the local environment and talk about safe places to cross the road. Children readily approach visitors to share toys and resources.

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

The provider has a clear curriculum in place which is adapted for each age group. She monitors staff practice and ensures that they are clear about meeting children's needs through the use of their interests to support them. The provider supports staff through regular discussions and provides opportunities for continued professional development.

Parents praise the staff and state that the nursery team is well-led by the provider. They share that the staff communicate well with them and that they enjoy using an online platform to share information about their children. Parents feel that children are safe and well cared for.

They praise the range of activities provided for the children.The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) talks with passion about her role. She completes referrals to other agencies promptly so that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive the additional support that they need.

The SENCo liaises with outside agencies effectively to support children with SEND, ensuring they reach their full potential. Staff complete training to support children who have medical care needs and parents report that staff embrace this training.Staff provide access to a range of resources, both indoors and outdoors, for the children.

Activities enable children to extend their previous learning. However, staff do not provide enough opportunities for older children to explore technology Staff encourage children to think about their behaviour and how it affects others. For example, when babies take toys from others, staff gently explain that they need to share and wait for their turn.

Staff remind children to walk indoors and discuss with them how they could hurt themselves or others if they run.Staff understand the importance of reading and sharing books with children. Staff use facial expressions when reading and they discuss what is happening in the pictures.

All children receive encouragement to look, listen and respond to questions about the book. This enables the children to hear a wide range of vocabulary to strengthen their own language skills.Staff organise large group activities while in the garden.

For example, they encourage children to listen and follow instructions while using a large parachute with balls. Staff praise the children for following instructions. Children gain support when using crates to balance on.

Staff encourage children to line up while waiting to have a turn.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a good understanding of how to safeguard children in their care.

They understand the need to act quickly to ensure children remain safe. Staff are committed to safeguarding children and work well with other agencies that help and support children and their families. Staff understand their role regarding 'Prevent' duty.

They are aware of how to report any concerns they may have about a colleague and there are posters within the nursery about whistle-blowing. There are robust recruitment procedures in place to ensure that staff are 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: help staff to find more ways for older children to develop their understanding of technology and find out how things work.