Small Wonders Day Nursery in Chelmsford (CM1)

Ofsted rating for Small Wonders Day Nursery

Last inspected 7 February 2024

What it's like to attend

• Children arrive happy and are warmly welcomed into the nursery.
• Staff build strong relationships with children, helping them to settle quickly.
• Children are motivated to explore the activities on offer.
• Leaders place a high priority on supporting children's communication and language.
• Children benefit from continuous conversations with staff, who speak clearly.
• Children behave well due to staff acting as good role models and being calm and consistent.
• Leaders have created spaces for children to go to relax from busy areas.
• Staff provide children with plenty of praise and encouragement, boosting their self-esteem and confidence.
• The provider has addressed actions raised in the previous inspection, including those relating to safeguarding.
• Fire-evacuation procedures have been reviewed and improved to maintain children's safety.
• The provider has given leaders training to support them in improving management skills and quality of provision.
• Staff are clear about their responsibilities to safeguard children and know the processes to follow.
• Leaders design a curriculum to build on the skills children need to learn next.
• Staff provide an environment where children make independent choices in their play.
• Children enjoy helping to develop self-care skills, such as washing hands and selecting cutlery at mealtimes.
• Staff focus on supporting new children's well-being and confidence as a priority, using signs, gestures, and simple words for all children, including those with English as an additional language.
• Parents are positive about partnerships and value the feedback they receive, feeling their children are making good progress and are well-cared for.
• Staff feel supported and valued by management, receiving regular supervision meetings to reflect on practice and identify professional development opportunities.
• Staff complete additional SEND training to improve personal effectiveness and outcomes for children.
• The arrangements for safeguarding are effective and there is an open and positive culture around safeguarding.
• The nursery is in receipt of funding for early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

• 1Support less-experienced staff to implement the curriculum effectively to ensure children make the best possible progress.
• 2Help staff to provide consistent opportunities for children to develop their independence.