Archway Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Leaders and staff have created a harmonious and welcoming environment. Children show good levels of emotional well-being and show that they feel happy and secure. They are well settled and develop positive bonds with the caring staff, who know them well. Children demonstrate confidence to try new activities and have a positive attitude towards their learning. For example, young toddlers enjoy painting a giraffe made from a cardboard box. Staff skilfully extend children's learning by repeating key words and introducing information about giraffes' eating habits. Children behave very well. The interactions between staff and children are warm and positive. Children share resources and space safely and successfully. Staff are good role models and remind children of the rules and expectations of the setting. This impacts positively on children's behaviour.

Staff and leaders want children to achieve all that they can. They design the curriculum based on children's interests and what they need to learn next. For example, children show an interest in plants and the growing process and learn to use magnifying glass to explore nature during daily trips. Staff use information gathered through their observation of children to help extend their learning. All children, including children who speak English as an additional language, become confident talkers and, overall, make good progress in their learning.

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

• Children are enthusiastic learners. They eagerly explore a wide range of high-quality and easily accessible resources. This helps to support children to develop attitudes they need to become independent learners.
• Leaders are dedicated to providing good quality care and education to children. They continuously reflect on the setting's strengths and areas for further development. Staff access a wide range of training to further develop their knowledge and skills. Leaders provide staff with coaching and mentoring to help to achieve even greater outcomes for children.
• Staff support children's language and communication skills well. They give clear instructions, ask questions, and allow children plenty of time to speak and talk about their thoughts and ideas. Furthermore, staff foster children's interest in books. For example, they use a range of props to help to bring stories to life.
• Staff encourage children to develop a love of singing. Staff engage babies and toddlers in experiences that help them to develop awareness of rhythm and rhyme. Children learn a range of nursery rhymes and often happily join in with singing well-known or made-up songs.
• Leaders and staff are ambitious for all children. Overall, they implement the broad curriculum effectively. However, on occasion, staff do not always ensure that they plan group activities to the right level to support children's learning and development. Consequently, at times, some children do not receive enough encouragement to extend their learning even further.
• Children learn to manage their own self-care. Older children dress themselves, while staff support the younger children. Children learn the importance of cleanliness and hygiene, as they wash their hands, especially before meals.
• Children's good health is a priority. They are provided with healthy and balanced meals. Staff use the nearby outdoor area well to support children's physical development. They run, jump and practise throwing and catching skills. They learn to use different tools and materials. Staff provide children with many opportunities for them to strengthen their small muscles. For example, they explore with soil, play dough, paint and make drawings with chalk.
• Children are always well supervised. Staff remind children of the road safety rules. Children follow the rules well and wait patiently for the approaching vehicles to drive by. This helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe.
• Parents praise the welcoming and caring staff, who help children to settle well and quickly. They report that they receive daily feedback about their children's day. However, not all parents know what staff are currently focusing on with their child's development so that they can continue to support their children learning at home.
• Diversity is openly celebrated as children learn that all people are different. The resources available to children represent the diversity of the setting and wider community. Children discuss and begin to develop an understanding of their own uniqueness. They learn about respect and acceptance of others. As a result, the nursery has created a culture that encourages children to celebrate diversity and appreciate and value one another.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review the planning and organisation of group activities to ensure that the learning of all children taking part is maximised
• build on the good partnership with parents further, to ensure that all parents are informed about their children's current learning needs so that they fully support children's learning at home.