Staff and Children at Tops Bretonside are celebrating a GOOD rating from Ofsted following their recent inspection.
According to the Ofsted report: ‘Children feel safe and secure in this welcoming and caring nursery.Staff greet children warmly and affectionately. Children settle quickly, choosing from a broad range of activities that interest them. The curriculum is broad and balanced.
Staff know what they would like children to learn next and support them well. For instance, staff help babies to pull themselves up on to furniture ready for their early steps.
Toddlers learn the names of facial features and can point to these when asked. Older children strengthen their finger muscles in dough, in preparation for early writing’.
The report also noted that: ‘Children understand the routines of the nursery. Staff use picture cards to support toddlers and those with additional needs. This helps children to understand what is happening ‘now’ and ‘next’.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have been unable to come into the nursery. Despite this, staff nurture all children to help them settle quickly into their environment’.
The inspector said:
“Managers and staff strive to ensure that all children reach their full potential. They use funding to enable children to engage in extra-curricular activities.
“For instance, they choose from a range of experiences, such as cooking and forest school. Additionally, the nursery provides all children with a hot, nutritious meal to benefit their overall health.
“The nursery strongly advocates its passion around sustainability. Staff help children to learn about protecting the environment. Children play with eco-friendly resources, such as natural materials and recycled powder paint. They use bamboo toothbrushes when taking care of their oral health. The nursery also works closely with nearby supermarkets to help reduce food waste. Staff distribute these to parents and members of the community.”
“Staff know children exceptionally well. They plan exciting experiences around children’s interests and the types of play they enjoy. For instance, staff provide children with a range of rotating toys and balls that capture their curiosity. Children investigate how these move, hear and feel to promote their sensory experiences.”
Lorraine Hargreaves, nursery manager at Tops Bretonside said:
“Considering we are a new staff team it was wonderful to see what a great staff team we have and how they keep the needs of the children in the forefront of everything they do.”
