ABC Day Nursery Ltd Hadley

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children truly flourish in this highly engaging, family-focused nursery. Staff place children's well-being at the heart of their practice. Children who are settling in receive calm, sensitive reassurance until they feel secure and confident. This highly effective, nurturing approach has an exceptional impact on children's emotional development and self-esteem. This enables them to engage enthusiastically and independently in learning and make sustained progress in all areas of their development.

Staff are excellent role models who set consistently high expectations for behaviour and demonstrate positive attitudes at all times. For example, when a book is left on the floor, staff guide children to think carefully about where it belongs and encourage them to put it away responsibly. Positive choices are continually reinforced, while gentle guidance and supportive questioning help children to reflect on their actions. This approach supports children to show respect for each other and the environment. Their behaviour is exceptional.

Staff actively foster children's independence and problem-solving from a very young age. They encourage children to take on practical challenges, such as feeding themselves, pouring drinks and managing simple tasks safely. Consequently, children grow in confidence and capability as they develop essential knowledge and skills needed for later learning and life.

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

• The nursery's wholly child-centred curriculum provides high-quality, open-ended resources and purposeful experiences that capture children's curiosity and sustain their engagement. Independent learning is fully embedded. Children confidently lead learning as they follow their own ideas. Carefully designed provocations spark natural interest. For instance, colour mixing creates awe and wonder, while comparing insects develops early mathematical and scientific concepts. Consequently, children become independent, curious thinkers with a deep understanding across all areas of learning.
• Children's well-being is exceptionally well promoted. Staff use tools, such as 'emotion spoons', alongside the language of colours and stories to help children identify and express their feelings. This consistent approach enables children to recognise and respond to a wide range of emotions, fostering kindness, empathy and resilience. As a result, children demonstrate exemplary behaviour and develop exceptionally positive attitudes to learning and one another.
• Staff provide a wonderfully language-rich environment. They expertly model communication, engaging children in interactions that promote rapid language development. Babies learn to link images with words. Toddlers describe and explore during hands-on experiences, such as adding spices to play dough. Pre-school children learn new, ambitious vocabulary, such as 'hideous' and 'frolicking', through stories. Interactive games, such as 'I went to the forest and I saw...', effectively support children's social development alongside their speaking and listening skills. As a result, children become confident, articulate communicators.
• Highly effective systems ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are swiftly identified and fully supported. Skilled and knowledgeable staff work closely with parents and external professionals to create tailored plans and adapt teaching to meet individual needs. Additional funding is used strategically to enhance staffing, resources and the environment, ensuring that support is sharply focused and consistent. As a result, children with SEND benefit from an inclusive environment and make strong progress from their starting points alongside their peers.
• The nursery makes excellent use of strong community links to enrich children's learning. Children enjoy regular experiences, such as storyteller sessions at the local library and exciting opportunities, including visiting an RAF helicopter and fire engine. Children's diverse cultural backgrounds are celebrated through resources and festivals, such as Eid and Diwali. These carefully planned experiences broaden children's horizons, foster their respect for diversity and give them an exceptional understanding of their community and the wider world.
• The owner's inspirational leadership drives excellence across the nursery. They are relentless in their pursuit of the very best outcomes for all children. Staff receive exceptional training and support, feel valued and are highly skilled. Partnerships with parents are exemplary. Families describe the nursery as their 'village' and truly value the support from regular updates and home learning strategies they receive. This has a highly positive effect on children's development and well-being.