Apple Trees Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are very happy to attend nursery and separate easily from their parents. They are keen to see staff and their peers and settle quickly into the exciting learning opportunities that staff provide for them. Relationships between staff and children are strong. Children enjoy cuddles during the day and involve staff in their play. This shows that they feel safe and secure in nursery. Staff plan an exciting curriculum that enhances children's learning and they encourage children to share their own ideas. This encourages children to feel valued and included. Staff support children's language and communication skills well. They continually introduce new language and build on what children already know. Young children use language such as 'squishy' and 'soft' as they explore how moon sand feels. Older children listen carefully to instructions when playing 'Simple Simon' and giggle as they shrug their shoulders, tap their elbows and touch their toes.

Children develop independence from an early age. They understand that they need to wash their hands to get rid of the germs before eating their meals and after messy play. Children show kindness and consideration towards their friends and their behaviour is good. They learn the importance of sharing and taking turns and staff praise children when they do so. This builds children's confidence and self-esteem. Staff support the older children as they develop their negotiation skills and learn to resolve minor disagreements between themselves. This helps children to build life skills as they prepare for the move on to school.

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

• The owners, manager and staff are committed to providing high-quality care and learning opportunities for children. They regularly access training to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. Staff well-being is given high priority. Regular meetings as a team and individually enable staff to look at their own professional development and progression. The owners recognise the individual skills of the staff and the good work that they do.
• An effective key-person system is firmly established and staff take time to get to know all about the children, the families and their interests. Strong systems of communication are in place between parents and staff. Ideas for continuing their child's learning at home are shared with parents to ensure consistency in their child's learning.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well. Staff use their observations of children as they play to identify potential gaps in learning. They help parents to seek additional support their child may need to ensure they have every opportunity to make the best progress. Activities are adapted to ensure that all children gain the most from them.
• Children show high levels of concentration as they engage in activities. They enjoy recreating their own models using dough. For example, they make a caterpillar, cocoon and butterfly as they recall the life cycle of insects. They develop dexterity using small trowels with dough to 'cement' play bricks together to make a tower. However, there are times when staff interrupt or redirect children's play. This has an impact on children's learning and engagement.
• Parents are very happy with the nursery and the service that is provided. They particularly like the variety of activities that their children get to experience. Parents feel that staff are welcoming and strive to provide the best for their children. They feel that the owners and manager are always available to talk to if they need to. Parents say that they regularly recommend the nursery to their family and friends because of the good service they and their children receive.
• Children enjoy freshly prepared meals, which are cooked on site daily. Staff encourage children's awareness of foods that are good for their bodies. They talk about foods the children like and the things they enjoy eating at home. Children's health and well-being are supported through lots of fresh air and time spent in the nursery garden. Children enjoy being physically active. Staff remind children about the importance of drinking to stay hydrated in the warm weather. They take effective steps to ensure that children do not play outside during the hottest part of the day to ensure children remain safe in the sun.
• Children learn about cultural events and celebrations that take place throughout the year. Through discussion and activities, they recognise the similarities and differences between themselves. Positive images of people from around the world and with differing abilities are reflected through books, pictures and resources, which are freely available to all children.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• take steps to ensure that children are not interrupted when they are engrossed in activities so that they gain the most from their learning.