Acorn Day Nursery Brafield On The Green

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and settled in this nurturing setting. Staff get to know children well. They use the information gathered from parents to plan for children's individual interests and motivations. Care routines are respectful and maintain children's dignity. Staff maximise opportunities for joyful interaction as they change babies' nappies. Older children are keen to carry out tasks for themselves. For example, they notice when the jugs are empty at lunchtime and fill them up so their friends can pour themselves a drink. Children skilfully serve their food and clear away after lunch. They develop strong friendships with their peers. Children demonstrate high levels of well-being as they chat happily during play. They develop a sense of connection and belonging during their time in the setting through caring interactions from staff.

Leaders promote learning in the outdoors. Children spend a huge amount of time in the exceptional outdoor learning space and enthusiastically engage with the interesting opportunities on offer. Children use wheeled toys with confidence and skill as they navigate the large area. This helps to develop the strength of their large muscles, their sense of direction and understanding of speed. Children delight in using the tyre swings and engaging in adventurous play. Staff offer just the right amount of encouragement to support children to challenge themselves physically.

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

• Leaders have developed a strong and well-sequenced curriculum. This is effectively communicated to staff. As a result of this, staff have high expectations for children. They use children's interests and fascinations to plan effectively for their learning. This helps children to make strong progress across all seven areas of learning.
• Staff report high levels of well-being. They appreciate the support that is available to them from leaders. Staff are clear about their role and responsibilities. They access regular training, which contributes to the development of their professional knowledge and understanding. Communication across the provision is effective and helps to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the setting.
• The support available for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is strong. Leaders work in close partnership with parents to ensure that children receive the targeted support that they need. Leaders work tirelessly with external agencies and other professionals to secure the services that help children reach their potential.
• Children develop as inquisitive and curious learners. Staff create sensory experiences that offer children the opportunity to investigate and explore a range of resources and materials. Children make choices in their play and staff take a lead from their interests and fascinations. For example, children grate chalk to colour their dough, and then create birthday cakes, which they are excited to decorate with natural resources. Children demonstrate extremely high levels of engagement and focus in their play.
• Children's behaviour is exceptional. Staff are excellent role models and ensure every interaction with children is respectful. Staff listen and respond sensitively to children's verbal and non-verbal communication. This supports children to understand the expectations of them. They demonstrate kindness and compassion to their peers and respond extremely positively to staff.
• Staff plan the day to ensure children access long, uninterrupted periods of play. This means children have time to experience and re-visit learning opportunities, which helps to extend children's attention. Overall, teaching is strong. Staff deliver learning experiences well, but some do not have the underlying skills to extend children's learning further.
• Leaders and staff encourage a love of reading. Staff create regular opportunities throughout the day for babies and children to share books and stories. For example, younger children snuggle into staff members as they look at picture books together. Staff encourage older children to recall and retell familiar tales through skilful use of questioning as a teaching strategy.
• Parents are delighted with the progress that children make across all seven areas of learning. Parents report that they feel involved and well informed about their children's care, learning and development. They appreciate the nurturing relationships that staff develop with their children. Parents state that children are happy and settled in the setting.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to focus even more sharply on how their interaction supports children's learning to enhance and extend children's learning.