Be Me Day Nursery Angel

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children and babies are very happy, safe and content at this inclusive, warm and welcoming nursery. Children form extremely close bonds with staff, who provide the children with excellent care as they sensitively anticipate and attend to their needs with warmth and understanding. Children's interests and love of learning are at the heart of every decision staff make. Children thoroughly enjoy exploring the inspiring creative spaces that capture their interests. Children are engrossed in activities and resources that successfully promote all areas of learning.

Babies delight as they join in with music, singing songs, babbling and shaking instruments that staff provide. Toddlers demonstrate excellent balance and coordination as they climb up the frame and slide down the slide. Children are exceptionally well behaved. They play cooperatively and understand rules that staff implement that promote sharing and safety. When playing with wheeled toys in the outside play area, children ask their friends if they can have a turn. Children understand sometimes they must wait for a turn. They use a sand timer and willingly swap when the sand runs out. Children delight in story time. They demonstrate excellent communication skills as they discuss books read by staff at story time. Staff challenge children's thinking and support their problem-solving skills. This helps children become confident speakers who can tell their own stories.

Children show high levels and determination and independence from an early age. Staff help them to develop excellent self-care and social skills. Children are exceptionally well prepared for future learning and moves to school.

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

• Managers and staff expertly plan an educational programme that is highly ambitious for all children. They focus on what the children already know, enjoy and need to learn next to extend their learning. Communication and language is at the heart of this nursery. Staff enhance children's language skills by introducing new vocabulary during play. For example, children confidently describe burying treasure on a pirate ship, using language to explain, such as 'dig deeper, under, over, higher, reward'. Staff recognise the importance of reading books, singing songs and chanting rhymes in different languages to promote children's language skills to the highest level.
• Staff consistently challenge toddlers during their play to extend their development. For instance, toddlers were learning how to make a smoothie. They cut up fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, banana, mango and pineapple. They fill their cups with the fruit, add coconut milk, and begin to learn to recognise numbers on the measuring cup. They learn to express themselves and use their imaginations exceptionally well.
• Staff value the diverse needs of the children and celebrate their unique qualities. Children who speak English as an additional language communicate exceptionally well. For example, children confidently speak to staff in both English and their home language. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive swift and targeted support from highly trained staff. They work successfully with other professionals and parents. This helps children to make strong progress.
• Staff use a wide range of impressive strategies to support children's language development. They skilfully respond to the non-verbal cues of babies with less language. They talk clearly and give children plenty of time to practise speaking. Staff in the younger age rooms listen and repeat any words that children say, supporting these with Makaton signs. Staff know when to comment, sing and introduce materials or language that capture children's interests. For instance, during circle time children confidently sing songs and count from one to ten in Spanish and English. This helps children to make excellent gains in their literacy skills.
• Staff encourage children to find out about diversity in their wider world through creative arts, reading and celebration. This helps children to gain an excellent understanding of people, communities and the wider world.
• Parents personal stories about the nursery highlight their strong partnerships and the positive experiences that children receive. Staff share key information and ensure that parents are fully involved and able to contribute to aid their children's learning at home. They praise staff for providing excellent learning opportunities for children, these include trips to the local library and shops, and extra activities, such as music lessons and yoga.
• Children learn about healthy lifestyles. They enjoy plenty of physical activities and they learn that exercise and movement make their heart and bodies grow strong. Children willingly eat healthy food and drink water to keep hydrated. They also learn to care for their teeth. Children learn about personal safety, such as crossing the road.
• The evaluation of the nursery is superb. The management team empowers staff through regular coaching, training and supervision meetings. This helps to maintain the extremely high quality of the curriculum, teaching and learning throughout the nursery.