Bestwood Park Nursery and Out of School Club

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive at the nursery full of excitement. They benefit from close attachments with kind staff. Staff provide cuddles when children feel tired or are in need of reassurance. They work well together to create a welcoming and homely environment. For example, babies and young children are provided with quiet areas for sleeping. They are comforted when going to sleep and wake up naturally from their naps.

Children confidently explore different areas of the nursery and access a variety of learning opportunities. Staff tailor their interactions with the children to meet their individual needs. Older children confidently lead their own play. They invite their friends to join them as they mix soil and water in the mud kitchen. Staff talk to them about what they are mixing and encourage them to talk to their friends about what they are doing.

Children develop a good range of independence skills at nursery. For example, staff encourage babies to use spoons to feed themselves. Toddlers are supported to wash their own hands and pour their own drinks, and older children to prepare their own fruit at snack time. Staff promote independence in self-care and encourage children to lead their own play and learning. This helps children persevere as they work hard to achieve things and it gives them a sense of pride in what they can do for themselves.

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

• The manager and staff have designed a curriculum that has a strong intent for children. Most staff understand what they want children to learn. They are passionate about teaching children to explore the world around them using natural resources. The manager and staff teach children to be resilient learners who try hard. However, staff working with babies do not always have a precise intent for the skills they want babies to develop.
• Staff provide children with a range of exciting and interesting opportunities to develop their curiosity for learning. For example, children enjoy designing and making their own house. They are encouraged to make decisions about what colour to paint it, mix their own paint and work together to complete their project.
• Staff have high expectations for children's learning. They encourage children to make links with previous learning. For example, children can recall the names of the ingredients they use to make biscuits from previous baking experiences. However, the teaching of mathematics does not support children to develop and apply their understanding of numbers and the relationships between them. This affects the progress children make in mathematics.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The manager and staff work well with other professionals and parents to make sure children receive the support they require. This helps children with SEND to make good progress. The manager carefully considers how additional funding is spent, to have the most impact for children. For example, children's physical development is supported with learning opportunities in the soft-play area and yoga classes.
• Children are praised for positive behaviour and encouraged to be kind and share with their friends. They are given responsibilities, such as clearing away their plate and cup after eating their snack. This gives children a sense of pride in their environment, which contributes to positive attitudes.
• Children thoroughly enjoy the outdoors. Staff ensure outdoor areas are stimulating and plan ambitious opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. They understand that supporting children to take appropriate risks gives them confidence. Staff help children to take risks safely. For example, children learn how to climb a small ladder. They learn how to check the feet of the ladder are firmly on the floor.
• Parents speak highly about the care and education the nursery provides for their children. They talk about the feedback they receive regarding their children's progress. Parents value the time staff take to get to know their children, including visiting them at home before they start.
• The manager places a high priority on staff well-being. Staff comment that they are happy at work and feel well supported. Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings. This helps them to build on their skills to further enhance children's experiences.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to plan activities for babies which take account of the individual skills each baby needs to learn next
• strengthen the curriculum for mathematics to further support children to count and use number during their play.