Bambinos Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thoroughly enjoy the wide range of stimulating learning experiences on offer at this homely nursery. Staff have put in place a highly effective, ambitious curriculum that develops children's knowledge over time. Children's ability in physical development is particularly strong. Staff provide regular opportunities for children to develop both their small- and large-muscle skills. Children demonstrate excellent coordination as they climb on nets on the climbing frame. They show great levels of respect towards each other as they carefully negotiate the space and move from one area to another.

Children are enthusiastic learners and demonstrate consistently positive attitudes to their learning. They relish the opportunity to take part in new activities and become deeply engaged. Staff plan activities that are designed to provoke their curiosity. Children excitedly explore mixing colours, using pipettes to carefully squeeze different colours into cotton wool. Staff skilfully link learning to children's interests, such as discussing how the painted cotton wool looks like the different planets for those that show an interest in space. Children demonstrate great pride in their work and delight in seeing their creations displayed in the nursery.

Leaders have established a strong key-person system. Staff work in partnership with a second member of staff as their 'buddy' to ensure that children's progress and well-being are closely monitored. Children, especially babies, demonstrate exceptionally warm relationships with staff who are incredibly responsive and sensitive to their needs. Staff provide a thorough settling-in process for new children and thoughtfully ensure that children have personal items from home to help them feel part of the nursery. For example, staff keep photos of children's family members in special 'treasure' boxes for each child for them to look at together.

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

• Children benefit from consistently high-quality interactions with staff. Staff have a highly beneficial understanding of the progressive nature of the curriculum and the learning needs of the different ages across the whole nursery. Their shared high expectations and their consistency of approach help children to make excellent progress from their starting points, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Staff create a language-rich environment. They place 'core' books at the centre of the curriculum, which supports vocabulary development and a love of reading. High-quality interactions between staff and babies help to ensure that children become confident communicators from a very young age. Staff encourage discussion as they play with children and promote 'I wonder' moments to support them to develop their curiosity and reflective skills. Children confidently and capably discuss and negotiate between themselves. For example, they arrange to take turns effectively during different activities to share resources equally, such as using a bubble-blowing wand.
• Children's talents and interests are exceptionally well supported and developed. Staff get to know children extremely well and provide frequent opportunities to extend their knowledge and ability in areas that matter greatly to them. Staff tailor learning opportunities to children's interests and requests, such as learning different styles of dance or a new language. They hold regular 'clubs' during the nursery day to extend children's abilities, which are led both by staff and carefully selected outside professionals.
• Staff provide children with excellent opportunities to develop their understanding of being part of a wider community. Children eagerly take part in regular fundraising events and learn about the importance of helping others. Staff help children find out about different ways of life, such as through inviting parents into the setting to discuss their careers. Children reflect on these opportunities as part of monthly nursery 'council' meetings where they practise sharing their ideas and take part in votes to decide on what they would like to learn about next.
• Leaders are highly reflective and have a deep insight into the effectiveness of the provision. They pinpoint areas of strength and for development and swiftly put in place measures to address these. They ensure that staff take part in regular, highly effective professional development in response to any identified needs. For instance, they train staff in assisting with the provision for children with SEND to ensure that all children and their families are exceptionally well supported.
• Partnerships with parents are incredibly strong. Parents report on how their children 'flourish' and make 'rapid progress' at the nursery, including those with additional needs. Staff communicate with parents using a wide range of effective methods. They provide an exceptionally high level of support for parents to help give children the best possible start in life. They provide an extensive range of home learning packs, which help to ensure that parents have an excellent understanding of how to support their children outside of the nursery. For instance, parents are provided with strategies in supporting children with oral hygiene alongside other packs that are of high interest to children, such as small suitcases containing educational toys and books.