Beach Babies

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in the nursery because of inspirational leaders and staff who promote and inspire a real love of learning. Staff meticulously plan activities and provide an environment that fuels children's imagination and sparks curiosity. For example, children become excited when finding a mysterious bag in the nursery orchard. Staff create awe and wonder as they encourage children to think about who the bag might belong to. Children enthusiastically share the items they have found, and staff are on hand to extend their learning and build on their excitement. Children communicate effectively with their friends as they discuss the size and shape of the objects found and offer ideas about how they came to be in the orchard. Activities such as these promote children's thinking skills, build on their social interactions and help broaden their vocabulary.

All children demonstrate exemplary behaviour and attitudes to learning. Clear rules and routines are threaded throughout the nursery, and staff skilfully adapt them to suit the differing needs of the children in each age range. This consistency enables all children to know what is expected as they move and transition to the older groups. Children are sociable and confident and forge strong friendships with their peers. Staff teach children effective social skills right from the start. Young children are already mastering the skills of turn-taking as they share resources during small-group activities. Older children wait patiently to use the 'tipping tap' as they collect water for the mud kitchen. Children help each other to push the lever and collect the water they need. Staff are on hand to praise their efforts, and this raises their self-esteem. Children show wonderful confidence, resilience and teamwork that supports their future success.

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

• Leaders have designed an ambitious, highly effective and well-sequenced curriculum that provides all children with an excellent start to their learning journeys. Staff have a thorough understanding of the nursery's ethos, which is fully embedded across the nursery.
• The nursery has a strong focus on sustainability and care for the environment. Children have ample opportunities to explore their natural surroundings, and staff help them develop respect for their environment. At lunchtime, children passionately share their knowledge of different fruits and vegetables, pointing out the peppers and courgettes on their plates. They discuss the foods they are growing in the nursery garden and explain how they have help them to grow.
• Staff know the children incredibly well and are highly attuned to their developmental needs and interests. They use this knowledge along with the knowledge they seek from parents to build on what children already know and can do to continually move their learning forward. When children show a keen interest in animals, staff provide them with books to enhance and extend their knowledge. Children excitedly share what they know about different species of birds and butterflies they have previously seen in the woodland area and use the books to find out more information. This prompts discussions about similarities and differences between different animals. Children thrive through the rich experiences that help them to learn about the world around them.
• The nursery has an extremely strong community feel. Leaders have worked exceedingly hard to build and maintain relationships with local services and continually provide opportunities for children to develop an understanding of what makes them and others unique. Children learn about different festivals and celebrations and share their own family traditions with their peers. Opportunities such as these foster a real sense of inclusion and community.
• Staff promote children's independence at every opportunity. Through carefully planned activities, staff encourage children to make decisions, explore their interests and develop confidence in their abilities. Babies learn a sense of democracy as they are offered choices during story time. Toddlers are beginning to pour their own drinks into open cups at snack time, which develops their fine motor skills. Older children clear away their plates after lunch and manage their own personal hygiene needs in preparation for school. Staff continually provide opportunities and experiences for children to develop essential skills needed for future learning.
• Leaders and staff continually expand their expertise through various professional development opportunities, including external training, staff meetings, working with other professionals and close links with other settings. This culture of wanting to build on expertise is seen in all members of staff. Leaders recognise the individual strengths staff bring to the nursery and use these to ensure excellent practice is shared across the team. Staff feel fulfilled and committed to their roles, praising leaders for their approachable and supportive leadership.