Arnold Lodge Prepcare Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children in this nursery are engaged, enthusiastic and eager to join in and participate in the carefully planned activities. The staff are kind and caring.

They help children make the most of their experiences by weaving in teachable moments, with a strong focus on communication and language. Staff engage children in rich, back-and-forth interactions. For example, children enjoy exploring ice that has formed overnight.

Using descriptive words like 'cold' and 'slippery', staff introduce children to a wide range of vocabulary. As a result, children regularly learn new words, which helps develop their communication skills... and supports them to make good progress.All children display positive behaviours, supported by clear role modelling and consistent expectations set by staff.

A visual timetable is used to help all children understand the daily structure, creating a sense of predictability and security. Staff use creative strategies, such as 'magnet eyes' where children pretend to put on imaginary glasses to focus their attention. Playful games and songs help children transition smoothly between activities, making routines fun and engaging.

This approach helps children feel calm, secure and ready to learn. By promoting positive behaviour and providing clear guidance, staff create a safe, nurturing environment that encourages the cooperation skills children will need for their eventual move to school.

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

The leadership team is passionate about delivering a curriculum that meets the individual needs of all children.

It places a strong emphasis on staff well-being, offering ongoing support and training opportunities to ensure their success. Each room follows a well structured and engaging curriculum, with clear intentions for what children should learn and the skills they are encouraged to develop.Partnerships with parents are a key strength of the nursery.

Staff build positive, trusting relationships with families. Parents receive updates on their child's progress through daily conversations at drop-off and collection times, an online app, monthly newsletters and parent evenings. Staff offer guidance, such as support with toilet training, helping to create consistency between home and the nursery.

Leaders work closely with outside agencies and provide links to support groups, offering valuable resources for parents. This collaborative approach helps children thrive and supports parents in their child's development.Staff support children's understanding of shapes, patterns and numbers.

Babies explore shape sorters while hearing mathematical language during play. Younger children thread pasta and circular cereal onto string, counting as they create patterns and discussing the different shapes and colours. Older children refine their skills as they recognise how many objects are in a group and count objects such as flowers in a bunch.

By including mathematics in both play and planned activities, staff help children build a strong foundation in this area of their learning.Staff promote children's communication and language through various approaches. They model new vocabulary, narrate play and engage children in songs, rhymes, and daily stories.

Older children are encouraged to discuss and explore stories, sparking thoughtful conversations. For children with less developed verbal skills, staff skilfully use signs and visual prompts to ensure inclusivity and support. These strategies create a language-rich environment, supporting children's communication skills and enabling them to succeed across the curriculum.

Children demonstrate high levels of independence and take pride in managing tasks for themselves. Pre-school children use the toilet, wash their hands and put on their own coats and hats with minimal support. They carry their food on trays, pour their own drinks and confidently use cutlery.

After mealtimes, they scrape their plates, showcasing a strong sense of responsibility. Younger children are also encouraged to develop independence. For instance, children in the 'tweenies' room serve themselves raspberries and pour milk into their open cups.

These valuable experiences help children build essential self-care skills and prepare them for their next stage of learning.Staff create stimulating environments for play and exploration, both indoors and outdoors. This helps children develop a strong understanding of the world around them.

However, there are limited opportunities for children to learn how technology works and develop essential skills to help them stay safe in the digital world.Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Staff work with parents and outside agencies to ensure children receive additional help and support if they need it.

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: provide even more opportunities for children to use different technology to broaden their understanding of the world around them and help them learn how to stay safe in the digital world.