The Heatons at St. Pauls

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are happy to start the day at this warm and welcoming nursery. Children feel safe and secure in the care of familiar staff who know the children well. They are happy to separate from their parents and enter the nursery with their key person.

This highlights the strong attachments the children form with their key person. Staff have high expectations for all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They plan a range of activities around children's interests that build on what they already know and can do.

They use these activities to help children to build their voc...abulary. For example, they talk about how the gingerbread man 'leaps high and fast' over objects to 'outrun' the baker. Children are then given the opportunity to make their own gingerbread man.

Children benefit from external football coaching and ballet dancing companies visiting each week to develop children's physical skills. Children talk about how much they enjoy these sessions. Children understand the behaviour expected of them by staff.

They wait patiently on the carpet before washing their hands for snack time. Two-year-old children show good concentration as they attempt to put on their own coat and do up the zip. Children demonstrate good manners as they say 'please' and 'thank you' when asking for more at lunchtime.

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

The manager and her team are passionate about their roles. They have a clear vision for providing high-quality care and learning for children. They have planned a broad curriculum which benefits children as it embraces all areas of their development.

For example, children are highly focused and show attention to detail as they cut their own tubes to make firework pictures. Children demonstrate enthusiasm for learning and concentrate well on the activities that they have chosen.Support for children with SEND is a strength of the nursery.

Staff are supported by external agencies to create targeted learning plans to understand the needs of the children. Staff plan appropriate activities to support their level of learning and development. All children make good progress in their learning and development.

Staff help children develop a love of books and songs. Staff encourage children to listen closely as they read a story and help them join in with familiar phrases. Staff support children to take turns as they choose their favourite songs to sing.

Staff praise them for good singing and for successfully copying the actions. Children develop a sense of pride in their achievements.Overall, staff support children's developing independence well.

Children use the toilet and wash their hands without being prompted. However, not all opportunities to promote independence are explored with older children. For example, at lunchtime, children are served both their meal and drink without having the opportunity to serve themselves.

This limits the experiences to support children's independence.Staff interact positively with children and support their physical development in a range of different ways. The setting has recently received accreditation within the local authority for supporting children's physical development.

For example, babies enjoy 'barefoot time', exploring the different textures and supporting their balance. Furthermore, pre-school children enjoy 'tummy time' activities, developing their core muscle strength. Children's physical skills are promoted well throughout the setting.

Children are provided with a healthy diet of nutritious, home-cooked food. They are keen to try new foods. They talk about trying different fruits and which foods are good for their bodies.

For example, pre-school children learn that fish contains protein to support a healthy diet. Children develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles.The management team reviews staff workload.

As a result, it has reduced paperwork so that staff have more time to help children learn. Staff say this helps them to put children's needs first and spend their time playing alongside children. Children benefit from meaningful interactions, supporting their learning opportunities.

Parents speak extremely highly of the nursery and particularly comment on the progress their children have made in their language development. They appreciate the shared learning approach, which helps them to support their children's development at home. Parents of children with SEND highly praise the staff team and the extra support it puts in place for their children.

Parents are happy with the progress their children make.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.All staff understand their responsibility to keep children safe.

They receive regular, on-the-spot training and have a clear understanding of the signs that may indicate that children are at risk of abuse. Staff know what actions to take if there are any concerns about children's welfare. Leaders ensure the continued suitability of their staff.

New staff receive a concise induction and are aware of policy documents. Leaders carry out risk assessments of the premises.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: make the most of opportunities to encourage children to do things for themselves and develop their independence skills further.

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