Smisby Day Nursery

Ofsted rating for Smisby Day Nursery

Last inspected 24 March 2025

What it's like to attend

• Children are supported effectively with their well-being, receiving cuddles and comfort from staff when upset.
• Staff help children transition between rooms by showing photos of staff and toys, fostering familiarity with the new environment.
• Children develop a sense of belonging through displaying photos of children and their families, which older children enjoy discussing.
• Children listen and follow staff's instructions well, demonstrating good behaviour and tidiness.
• Staff are supported in their well-being and professional development, receiving gifts and training, including sign language.
• The curriculum focuses on supporting children's communication and language skills through activities like singing songs and repeating words.
• Children have opportunities to be physically active, with staff supporting very young children to walk and go down slides.
• Staff use positive reinforcement to praise children's achievements, helping them understand what they do well and raising their self-esteem.
• Children understand the need to wash their hands before eating and take responsibility for preparing their own snacks.
• Staff provide experiences for children to learn about oral health, including cleaning teeth in the nursery.
• The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with an open and positive culture.
• Staff attend training courses to develop their knowledge of sign language and use it to support children's understanding.
• Older children are supported to identify initial sounds in words and to share their knowledge of familiar phrases in favourite stories.
• Children show they know the daily routines, including sitting on a carpet for group times.

• 1Strengthen the organisation of group times to help older children fully benefit from the learning offered.
• 2Support staff to provide children with privacy when changing clothing and during toileting.