Anglo Spanish Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff provide an inclusive and nurturing environment for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children are excited on arrival at the nursery and eager to select activities that capture their interest. They enjoy uninterrupted time to learn, freely moving between indoor and outdoor environments. Children are curious learners who are keen to explore the stimulating environment. For example, they express interest and excitement when they discover snails in the garden.

Managers and staff provide high-quality experiences for all children and their families. As a bilingual nursery, they design and implement an ambitious curriculum based on the early years foundation stage and the Spanish language. This curriculum is tailored to children's developmental levels and interests. For instance, babies crawl, toddle and climb small indoor apparatus. Toddlers benefit from exploring age-appropriate toys in a quiet area. Pre-school children listen attentively during storytelling sessions and participate in group games. Children show high self-esteem and a good sense of belonging.

Staff are exceptionally caring and responsive in their interactions with babies. This nurturing approach facilitates a smooth transition for children to other classes in the nursery. Furthermore, it contributes to children's well-being, helping them to feel settled and safe in the nursery. Children learn the skills they need to move on to the next stage of their education.

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

• Staff swiftly identify children with SEND and provide them with appropriate support. Managers work with staff and external professionals to implement personalised plans that address gaps in children's learning. They use additional funding effectively to help children to make significant progress. For example, staff buy resources that promote children's engagement in their play and learning. As a result, children with SEND demonstrate good progress.
• Staff promote children's health and well-being. Children enjoy daily fresh air and exercise in the nursery's outdoor space. This contributes to the development of their large muscles and coordination. In addition, children are served nutritious home-cooked meals and snacks. Children's healthy lifestyles are well promoted.
• Children's communication and language skills are a priority in the nursery. Staff regularly talk to children in English and Spanish. For instance, they speak clearly and repeat words so that children hear the correct pronunciation. Children benefit from these back-and-forth interactions, which help to expand their vocabulary and enhance their speaking skills.
• Children play together and develop positive friendships. Nevertheless, sometimes, children display behaviours such as running in the classroom or raising their voices. As a result, some children lose focus and become distracted from their learning. Staff remind children of the classroom's rules and boundaries. However, they do not always support children's understanding of their behaviour by explaining how their actions may impact themselves and others.
• The bilingual nursery embraces diversity and uniqueness. Staff teach children about various religious festivals and celebrations, including Diwali, Black History Month and Halloween. Additionally, children visit local parks, playgrounds and libraries. Staff use these visits to help to broaden children's understanding of people and communities beyond their own experiences.
• Managers and staff are dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and well-sequenced curriculum for children. Staff observe and assess children and plan activities to help them to make good progress. However, occasionally, adult-led activities are not implemented effectively. For instance, while older children learn the names and characteristics of bugs, they become easily distracted by different resources. This means children do not fully benefit from the intended learning opportunities.
• Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. Parents are extremely appreciative of the attentive and approachable staff. They comment that their children thoroughly enjoy their time at the nursery. Additionally, parents note that communication is excellent. They receive feedback about their child's progress through an online childcare app and daily conversations.
• Managers demonstrate exceptional leadership skills. Although several of the staff and managers are new, they work well together, fostering a strong team spirit. Managers have a clear self-evaluation process in place and aspire for the nursery to be a beacon of exceptional practice.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen children's understanding of how their behaviour may impact on themselves and others
• enhance the implementation of adult-led activities to deepen children's engagement in activities and further extend their learning.