Thurnby & Bushby Playgroup

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

All children are happy, confident and familiar with the routines of the session. This helps children to settle quickly and maximises the time they have to play and learn.

Staff have high expectations for all children's learning. Children concentrate well and enjoy learning about creatures that live in the sea. They acquire a good understanding of nature and develop their mathematical knowledge.

For example, children draw pictures of cockle shells; they count the number of lines on the shell and explain that the lines tell them how old the cockles are. Staff know how to keep children safe. They risk assess the premises ...to identify hazards and minimise any risks to children.

Children are able to manage their own feelings and know what behaviour is expected of them. Their thoughts and opinions are listened to by staff. Children contribute to the rules of the setting, such as sharing and being kind to others.

Staff are skilled in encouraging children to be respectful and to have positive attitudes towards one another. Children respond well to praise given by staff. They excitedly choose a coloured gem as a reward for their good efforts.

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

Leaders and managers work hard to plan a curriculum that is exciting and stimulating for children based on their current interests. Children enjoy taking part in craft activities. This provides the opportunity for them to strengthen their hands and fingers in readiness for writing.

For example, children hold pens in a pincer grip to draw around their hands and to make zigzag patterns.The managers and staff are caring and passionate about working with children. They know how children learn and understand how they are progressing in their development.

Staff quickly identify when children need more support in their learning and seek appropriate support from other agencies.Staff work with children in small groups to support them with their social and communication skills. They ask children to say in turn which colour balloon they would like.

Children are engrossed in this activity and say 'bigger, bigger, bigger', as the balloon is pumped up. They squeal with joy when the balloon deflates and shoots in different directions.Staff offer children healthy foods at snack time, including apples, carrots and cheese.

They provide children with opportunities to be physically active and develop their large-muscle skills. Children use the indoor area to roll an extra-large dice. They skilfully stride across the room as they count out a number of steps, which total the same as the number on the dice.

However, staff do not make the best use of the outdoor area to allow children to test their physical skills to an even higher level.Staff are knowledgeable about children and their families. They use this information to broaden children's experiences.

For example, they invite parents to come in and talk to the children about different festivals they celebrate, such as Navaratri. Children enjoy dressing up in traditional outfits and dancing with Dandiya sticks. This supports children's learning about different festivals that people in their community celebrate, and why.

Children learn about the values needed to be a British citizen, such as understanding the fairness of democracy. They take part in an election, where children listen to each other's manifestos and use ballot cards to vote for a 'Prime Minister'.Parents speak extremely positively about the nursery and comment about how staff keep them up to date with the progress their children are making.

Staff give parents 'speech bubbles' for them to share what children have said at home, including children's comments on what they have learned. For example, parents refer to their children talking about sea anemones.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager and staff have addressed weaknesses in safeguarding well since their last inspection. All staff now have robust knowledge and understanding of their responsibilities to keep children safe from harm. They know how to respond to any signs of abuse and what to do should there be an allegation made against a member of staff.

Staff know to keep records of accidents and injuries that children have at the setting or at home. The manager ensures staff are suitable to work with children through a robust recruitment procedure.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: make the best use of the outdoor area so children have the opportunity to challenge and develop their physical skills even further.

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