Milestones Day Nursery

Inspection of Milestones Day Nursery Milestones Day Nursery, Tongue Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS6 4QE

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children receive a warm welcome on arrival at this highly inclusive nursery. It is evident that all staff know the children very well. Children welcome cuddles and reassurance from staff if they feel unsettled. They enthusiastically greet the manager when she comes into their room, and eagerly show her what they have been doing. There is also an effective key person system in place, which promotes children's emotional wellbeing. At times of transition, for example when it is time to come inside for lunch, or when children are preparing to move on to the next room, children receive individual support. This helps children to feel more secure.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a wide range of stimulating learning experiences. The youngest children show considerable concentration as they explore paint using their fingers, brushes, and cardboard tubes. Children who are less confident are supported effectively to take part. Two-year-olds develop their finger muscles as they use different tools to create play dough shapes. They compare and order the size of pumpkins, In the pre-school room, all children are fully engaged in a music activity. They listen carefully and follow instructions, playing their instruments loudly, softly, quickly, and slowly. They also practise counting by shaking or blowing their instruments the correct number of times. There is a lovely purposeful atmosphere as children enjoy learning experiences which are appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers have worked hard since the last inspection to make changes to the nursery. There has been a strong emphasis on the development of the learning environment. The manager has skilfully used the passion and experience of her new leadership team to ensure that the rooms and outdoor areas take account of the way young children learn. This is kept under review, and changes are made regularly to reflect children's needs and interests. As a result, children demonstrate a real sense of curiosity and eagerness to learn. n The curriculum provided is sequenced effectively to build up children's knowledge and skills, so they are ready for their next stage in learning. There is a strong focus on ensuring that the opportunities provided take into account children's individual needs. The rich diversity of children's backgrounds is celebrated. Additional funding is also used carefully to benefit individual children

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need to do better?

by providing experiences to enhance their learning even more. n Staff recognise the importance of promoting children's communication and language skills. Stories, rhymes, and songs play an important part in helping children to learn new words and to become more confident with their speech. The nursery has introduced a range of strategies to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to develop their communication

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need to do better?

23 October 2024 skills. However, these are not yet fully embedded, meaning that the approaches staff use are not always consistent. n Children thoroughly enjoy many opportunities to develop their physical skills. The baby room is organised to support children as they become ready to pull themselves up and to walk. Older children take full advantage of the dedicated transport area outside. They practise using different scooters, balance bikes and pedal cars. They create their own obstacle courses. Staff are on hand to offer a helping hand, if required, as children walk along wooden planks. Pre-school children become increasingly confident as they use the apparatus outside for jumping and climbing. There are also regular opportunities for walks to woods nearby. n Children's good health is promoted effectively. Children eat their freshly prepared lunch enthusiastically. Pre-school children discuss the importance of eating

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need to do better?

plenty of fresh fruit. They also understand that their grapes have ben sliced in half to prevent them from choking. Arrangements for children who have special dietary needs are appropriate. n Staff provide some opportunities for children to develop their self-care skills. They encourage children to put on their own outdoor clothing. Staff provide effective support when children are starting to be toilet trained. However, at mealtimes, children do not always do enough for themselves, such as setting the table or pouring their own drinks. Furthermore, sometimes it takes too long for children to be served, which means that they have to wait, rather than being engaged in purposeful learning. n Leaders and managers continue to evaluate the provision and welcome advice and support. They provide staff with plenty of training opportunities to develop their practice even further. Staff say they feel valued and supported. Parents

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need to do better?

report they have noticed many positive changes over recent months, including improved communication about their children's learning and development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n build on existing good practice to develop a consistent approach to supporting children with SEND's communication and language skills n consider ways to promote children's independence even more at mealtimes, to provide further opportunities for purposeful learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY273848 Local authority Leeds Inspection number 10366675 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 56 Number of children on roll 56 Name of registered person Childcare Strategies Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0113 2957677 Date of previous inspection 17 April 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Milestones Day Nursery registered in 1993 and had a change of ownership in 2003. The nursery employs 18 members of staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery owner has early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and a week between Christmas and New Year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery offers government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector and the deputy manager carried out a joint observation of a group activity in the pre-school room. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

23 October 2024 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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