Apple Tree Day Care Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

The manager and staff know how to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere in the nursery.

Children receive a warm welcome from the friendly and caring staff team. This helps them to feel at ease and settle in quickly. Children's individual paintings and collaborative artwork are on display throughout the nursery.

The manager emphasises the importance of this in recognising children's efforts and building their sense of pride. Staff remain attentive to children's personal care needs throughout the day. For example, key persons closely monitor individual sleep patterns, dietary needs and feeding routines, which they share ...in detail with parents.

All children build secure attachments with staff and show they are happy to explore their surroundings. Children have good opportunities to learn about a range of different celebrations and special events. For instance, staff talk to children about the significance of wearing poppies and look at pictures online to help broaden children's understanding.

Furthermore, children enjoy regular outings to places of interest, such as the local farm and aquarium. Staff use these opportunities well to teach children the names of animals and introduce early mathematical concepts, such as comparing different patterns, sizes and shapes of animals.

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

Staff teach children about the importance of being kind to others.

They provide clear explanations to help children recognise what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Children have a good understanding of staff's expectations of them. They learn to share, take turns and resolve any minor disputes amicably.

Young children are independent in managing their self-care needs, something which staff promote consistently throughout the day. For example, during mealtimes, children learn to hold a serving spoon and place food onto their plate. Older children put on their boots in readiness for outdoor play, while younger children attempt to fasten their own coats.

All children gain the necessary skills they need for the next stage of their learning.Staff provide a good balance of free-choice and adult-led activities for all age groups. For instance, babies and toddlers have opportunities to develop good head control, balance and coordination as they practise their early crawling or walking skills.

Older children enjoy making patterns in foam and attempt complex puzzles. Staff use language well to promote children's problem-solving and communication skills. However, at times, staff do not consider ways to improve the organisation of some adult-led activities, particularly to minimise minor distractions and noise, and help gain the full attention of children.

Systems for planning and assessment of children's learning have improved since the last inspection. Staff use their observational findings effectively to identify specific areas of learning and to help shape their plans. The manager monitors the progress of all children to ensure any gaps in learning are narrowing.

He ensures staff work with local authority advisers and other professionals to seek advice and secure any early help for children, if needed.Partnerships with parents are effective. Parents are highly complimentary about the care their children receive, including the friendly and warm atmosphere.

They welcome the regular updates from staff via email as well as the daily verbal feedback. They enjoy listening to their children singing nursery rhymes at home which they have learned at the nursery.Staff attend regular supervisory meetings with the manager where they discuss their key children.

Staff welcome the training opportunities they receive to help improve their teaching practice. For example, after attending training about promoting diversity, staff have developed a deeper understanding about the uniqueness of every child and their individual differences. This has helped them to shape their individual plans even further.

The manager has made significant changes since the last inspection to improve the quality of teaching. For example, he has supported staff in using open-ended questions to challenge children further in their learning. Additionally, he continues to take part in a quality assurance scheme to help identify the nursery's strengths and address areas of weak practice.

The manager works closely with his staff team to create a culture of self-reflection to drive ongoing improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Leaders and staff have a secure knowledge of safeguarding procedures and their role to keep children safe.

The manager ensures staff attend regular safeguarding training and are familiar with the nursery's safeguarding policy. All staff are aware of the main signs of abuse and neglect, including the procedures for making a referral, should they have a welfare concern. The manager implements thorough recruitment and vetting processes to ensure staff are suitable to work with children.

He undertakes daily safety checks in all areas of the nursery, including outdoors, to identify and remove any hazards. Children play in a safe and secure environment.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: review the organisation of some adult-led activities, particularly to help older children remain more focused and engaged in their learning.