Beaming Stars Day Nursery Edenbridge

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children of all ages appear settled, confident and very happy during their time at this welcoming setting. Staff have a clear understanding of their well-thought-out curriculum and how they can successfully implement it. They ensure that they maintain children's interest and attention to learn. For instance, staff teach children about their senses using natural objects. This includes children exploring how their homegrown herbs, such as mint, rosemary and tarragon, smell.

Staff teach older children about stories and how to use their imagination in engaging ways. For example, when children enjoy their favourite story about a creature searching for food, they go on to explore natural materials and oats to make their own 'crumble', just like the one in the story.

Staff provide all children with good opportunities to build on their physical skills. This is demonstrated when children confidently and safely climb and balance on a wide range of safe and age-appropriate equipment. This includes climbing walls and soft play equipment. Staff support all children to develop good, confident communication skills. They provide good running commentary, use open-ended questions and interact with children well. Staff use singing and books and, as a result, children show a love of songs, books and reading.

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

• All staff prioritise the safety of children. They have a good knowledge and understanding of the thorough policies and procedures in place. This includes staff suitability. Children are well supervised and remain engaged in safe and well-organised learning environments.
• All staff establish secure and trusting relationships with all children. They get to know their individual personalities well, including their likes and dislikes. Staff use their knowledge to inform their plans. Children have a positive attitude towards their learning and make good progress.
• Children thoroughly enjoy the company of staff. For example, babies seek out staff for comfort. Staff offer children encouragement and praise. This helps children to be persistent. For instance, when children build a tower and it falls, they confidently try again until they are successful.
• Staff know all children's routines well. This helps them meet children's individual needs, such as swiftly recognising when they would benefit from having a nap. Staff ensure children have cosy areas to sleep peacefully and safely.
• Overall, children behave well and staff support them to develop good social skills. This is evident when staff encourage children to say please and thank you. They also recognise and praise good behaviour. However, staff do not consistently support children to fully understand the expectations of their behaviour. For example, when a child throws an object, they are asked to stop with no explanation as to why this is being asked of them. Therefore, at times, children do not fully understand the potential consequences of their actions.
• The management and staff establish positive partnerships with parents, who speak fondly of them and state that they would highly recommend the 'wonderful nursery'. Staff regularly share information with parents about their children's achievements, progress and next steps. Staff encourage parents to share children's learning from home. This helps to successfully provide children with a good, consistent link between home and the setting.
• Overall, staff support children to develop some good understanding of healthy lifestyles. For example, children learn about the importance of oral health. However, at times, staff do not support children to fully understand the importance of following hygiene practices, such as thorough handwashing routines. Therefore, staff do not consistently strengthen children's understanding of the benefits of completing good health and hygiene practices.
• Management closely monitors the quality of care and teaching that staff provide children. All staff evaluate their practice daily and discuss what has worked well and what could be developed further. Management carries out daily observations of practice and acts as a positive role model, mentoring and coaching staff well.
• Staff complete regular training, which is beneficial to their practice. This includes learning about the different ways children learn. As a result, staff fully understand how they can successfully engage children and motivate them to learn, including babies.
• Staff teach children about other people outside of their own communities and experiences. This includes learning about different cultures and traditions. Staff ensure their setting is inclusive.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• build on staff's confidence to ensure they fully support children to understand why they are being asked to stop certain actions
• develop children's understanding of the importance of following thorough health and hygiene routines.