Your Co-op Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school Seaham

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Staff provide a warm welcome at this inviting nursery. Children happily separate from their parents and settle quickly into the routines of the day.

There are lovely caring relationships throughout the nursery. Staff are affectionate with children when they want a cuddle. Children develop the confidence to approach visiting adults and ask them to join in with their play.

For instance, toddlers ask for a drawing of insects that they have been looking at in the bug hotel.Children have plenty of opportunities to play outside. Each age group has their own garden area.

In addition, children learn to balance and cli...mb in the large grassed area. Staff teach children about keeping themselves safe when they are outdoors. For example, pre-school children carry out a risk assessment when they go outside.

Babies develop their core skills as they pull themselves to standing and start to walk using the furniture.Since the last inspection, staff have received training in behaviour management. This has had a positive impact on how staff manage children's behaviour in the nursery.

They give clear explanations and guidance to children on how to behave. They work with children to help them understand their own emotions. Staff discuss how children are feeling and use stories and puppets to help them understand.

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

Leadership and management are strong. Leaders and managers have a clear and ambitious vision for providing high-quality, inclusive care and education. The new manager is clear on the strengths of the nursery and where there are areas for improvement.

Parents' views are sought, and managers look at how they can address any areas of suggested improvement.The special educational needs coordinator is passionate about her role. She is knowledgeable about ensuring children's individual needs are prioritised.

She works confidently with external agencies and has implemented effective strategies to provide early intervention where required. This includes for children who are in receipt of additional funding. For example, early years pupil premium funding has been used successfully to support children's communication and language development.

Managers and staff have a good relationship with on-site professionals. They work with health visitors to promote early reading. They plan to start a reading library where parents can borrow books to share with their children at home.

Staff and health visitors carry out the check for children at the age of two years together, particularly if there are concerns about a child's development.Children's communication and language development is supported well. Staff use songs and rhymes and enthusiastically do the actions.

This encourages babies and children to do the same. Toddlers are keen to suggest what they might sing next. Staff talk to children during their play.

This encourages pre-school children to hold a conversation. For instance, they talk about going on holiday and what transport they will use to get there.Staff support children to keep healthy and to develop an understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

They help children to understand where different food comes from. Pre-school children plant seeds from apples to see what happens to them. Staff talk to children about healthy eating at mealtimes.

Children spontaneously talk about healthy foods during their play. For example, children say which fruit is their favourite.Staff promote children's confidence and independence well.

Children learn how to take off and put on their own coats. Pre-school children understand when they need to use the bathroom and take themselves there independently. They know when and why they should wash their hands.

Children from a young age are encouraged to put on their own shoes. Staff patiently help them to put them on the right feet and do the fastenings.The nursery curriculum is designed to build continually on the skills children need to be successful learners.

Staff understand the intent of the curriculum and what they want children to learn from the activities that they provide. However, there are occasions when staff do not give children enough time to answer their questions, before moving on. Some activities are overly directed, so children do not experiment as fully as they could.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: continue to develop staff's understanding and confidence to stretch and challenge children's learning in their play.