Base Zero Bellingham

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff warmly greet children on arrival into the welcoming nursery environment. They get to know children well from the start through gathering detailed information and settling-in visits. Staff are attentive to children's needs, which builds on and strengthens children's emotional well-being. This nurturing support helps children to develop strong attachments and feel happy, safe and secure.

Staff promote a strong ethos of wanting children to achieve and be ready for school. They have high expectations for all children, including those with additional needs and/or disabilities, through the nursery's own curriculum. Staff provide a wide range of activities to support children's learning. For example, older children learn the process of planting seeds to grow different vegetables. They crumble blocks of soil and add water, which sparks discussion about the changes in texture. Staff support babies to explore sensory materials, which increases their fine motor and physical skills.

Staff model expected behaviour. They regularly talk to children about how they are feeling and build on their emotional literacy. Children demonstrate a good understanding of nursery's rules. They share resources and learn to take turns. Staff use praise and encouragement and highlight children's positive behaviour. As a result, children listen and behave well.

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

• The leaders and staff team have made recent changes to the nursery curriculum. They ensure that all areas of learning are included and sequenced to help prepare children for their next stage of learning. Staff build on children's previous knowledge and extend their understanding. Regular observations and ongoing assessments help staff to track children's progress. Staff identify children's next steps and share them with parents.
• Overall, staff promote children's communication and language skills well. Staff babble with babies and encourage back-and-forth communication. New words are introduced to children as they play, which supports them to extend their vocabulary. Staff provide clear explanations and ask questions, giving children time to think and answer. Staff confidently share stories and use props, which extend children's imaginations and love of books.
• Partnerships with parents are a key strength of this nursery. The leaders and staff involve parents in their children's learning and host termly reviews. They run workshops and arrange summer play sessions, which include children who only attend during term time. Staff provide home learning packs to help develop children's fine motor skills and a book lending service. The leaders champion the importance of attendance to support children's learning.
• Staff promote the importance of physical play and healthy lifestyles well. Babies manoeuvre their sit-on toys and throw balls to extend their coordination. Older children balance along wooden blocks, crawl through tunnels and ride bikes to extend their large muscles. Staff talk to children about healthy foods and oral health, and promote good hygiene routines. However, daily routines, such as transition times, are not always well organised or support children to continue learning effectively.
• Parents speak highly of the nursery and caring staff. They state that their children are making good progress, and they value the diversity and inclusion at the nursery. Parents of older children acknowledge that their children are well prepared for the move to school. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) works closely with parents and makes referrals to ensure that children receive the help they need.
• Children are encouraged to be independent and try things for themselves. Children put on aprons, set the table and serve their lunch. Children listen well to staff, show a positive attitude to their learning and behave well. Staff praise children for their achievements, which raises their self-esteem. Staff engage with children as they play and extend their learning. They count with children to increase their understanding of numbers. However, other mathematical concepts, such as shape, space and measure, are not regularly included.
• The leaders are passionate about managing the nursery and supporting staff well-being. They provide regular supervision and monitor practice to raise the quality further. Staff regularly access training, share ideas and reflect on and review their practice. Previous recommendations have been addressed, and the views of parents are sought to help evaluate and improve the service provided.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review and strengthen transition times, especially when returning from the garden and at bathroom times, to ensure that children's learning continues
• extend children's knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts further by introducing new concepts as they play.