ABC Day Nursery Ltd, Hollinswood

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

For every child, this nursery offers an enriching experience where they are cherished, nurtured and supported to flourish. From the moment they arrive, staff welcome them with warmth and care, knowing their individual personalities, interests and needs. Children quickly feel safe and secure, settling with ease and starting their day full of assurance and enthusiasm. The nursery is highly inclusive and celebrates diversity in meaningful ways. Books, displays and resources reflect a wide range of cultures, abilities, family structures and languages, ensuring that every child feels represented and valued.

Staff place children's well-being at the heart of their practice. From the earliest age, children are supported to recognise and express their feelings through songs, pictures and simple words. They learn calming strategies, such as taking deep breaths or seeking comfort, and staff respond with warmth and sensitivity. Staff model empathy and kindness, which children mirror in their own actions. As a result, children display exemplary behaviour, showing genuine care for others. This consistent focus on emotional literacy helps to build self-belief and supports children to manage their feelings effectively.

All children delight in spending time outdoors each day, where fresh air and wide-open spaces give them freedom to be active and adventurous. The outdoor environment is alive with energy as children run, ride trikes and join in games that challenge and extend their physical skills. For babies, thoughtfully designed spaces provide opportunities to crawl across different surfaces, pull themselves to standing and take those first independent steps. They explore the natural world with curiosity, feeling soil and sand through their fingers, splashing water and discovering sound as they experiment with simple instruments.

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

• The leadership team is exceptional. They share a clear, ambitious vision that is fully understood and embraced by the highly skilled staff at the nursery. Leaders are passionate about giving every child the best possible start in life, and this vision threads through every aspect of practice.
• Staff speak proudly of how valued and supported they feel. Leaders prioritise staff's well-being, recognising that when staff feel empowered and dedicated, they are best placed to provide the highest quality experiences for children. Leaders identify individual staff's needs and tailor training so that every member of the team continues to grow in skill and confidence.
• Partnerships with parents are excellent. Staff share consistent updates and involve families in every stage of their child's journey. Parents praise the team's care and commitment, saying their children are always excited to attend and that they make rapid progress.
• Children's imaginations shine throughout the nursery, turning everyday objects into exciting new possibilities. In the toddler room, children carefully select different-sized sticks and push them into a piece of broccoli. With great pride, they announce it is a birthday cake, sing 'Happy Birthday' and pretend to blow out the candles. Friends gather around to join in and share ideas, keeping the play going together.
• Staff foster a love of books from the earliest age. Storytelling is lively and interactive, with staff skilfully using questions and expression to draw children in and keep them engaged. In the baby room, a story about a hungry caterpillar is brought to life with props, colours and counting. Babies smile, point and join in with words and sounds. Older children show a real enthusiasm for factual books, eagerly using them to check information, such as naming different sharks, and proudly sharing their discoveries with others.
• Children are given rich and varied opportunities to explore their creativity every day. They freely access an exciting range of media and materials, experimenting with paint, pens and scissors, and proudly sharing their creations. Staff provide enjoyable opportunities for sensory exploration, encouraging self-expression while strengthening fine motor skills.
• Early science is woven naturally into play. For example, toddlers and pre-school children delight in investigating how torches work. They shine beams into cosy corners and under tables, laughing as they spot shadows and experimenting with how the light moves.
• Children take part in recycling and composting as part of their daily routines. They learn about how food waste breaks down and how compost can be used to help new things grow, helping children to develop respect for the environment and a sense of responsibility for caring for the world around them.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are supported exceptionally well through early identification, tailored plans and close partnership with parents and professionals. Funding is used effectively for resources, staffing and targeted support, ensuring that children are fully included and thrive alongside their peers.
• The curriculum is ambitious, sequenced and tailored to every child. Environments are rich with natural and authentic materials that spark curiosity and sustained play. Staff skilfully follow children's interests, introducing new vocabulary, extending communication and language, and promoting independence through daily routines and spontaneous moments. As a result, children are highly engaged, eager to explore and make excellent progress, leaving them exceptionally well prepared for their next stage of learning.