Big Discoveries Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff provide exceptional support for all children's learning. They go above and beyond to ensure that children have the best start in life. Staff plan a highly ambitious curriculum for all children that is deeply embedded. They adapt this to meet children's needs. For example, staff notice children need additional support for their physical skills. They add in highly motivating opportunities to make sure children have the support they need. This finely-tuned approach supports all children to make excellent progress.

Children are extremely confident. They know the high expectations staff have for them, and they rise to the occasion. For instance, children listen to staff and act promptly to follow instructions. They tidy up swiftly and thoroughly, ready to move on to the next activity. Staff empower children to be independent from their earliest days. Babies, for instance, can reach their own bags and coats. Younger children learn from older children, who are fantastic role models. For example, they fetch dustpans and brushes to sweep the spilt sand, and they help younger children to find their boots to wear outdoors. There is a very positive culture of care, kindness and respect throughout the setting. Children demonstrate consistently positive attitudes to each other and their learning.

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

• Leaders are highly passionate about their role. They empower staff to be champions, building an exceptionally strong team. Leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of how children learn. They ensure that staff training and development is at the forefront of their minds, continually strengthening the staff team. Leaders are constantly looking to move forward to ensure the best possible teaching for children.
• Leaders readily identify where changes in the curriculum are necessary to meet children's needs. They invest heavily in staff development to ensure that staff are confident with changes. For example, all staff are highly skilled at delivering speech and language interventions. For instance, they play very engaging games and sing silly songs to help children hear initial letter sounds. Children laugh with delight at the exciting but effective teaching activities. This support is excellent, and children make outstanding progress in their communication.
• Partnerships with parents are extremely strong. Leaders and staff work very hard to ensure that all parents are informed and engaged with their children's learning. For instance, they help parents to understand what children are learning as they play. Parents report on the exceptional communication by staff and leaders and the outstanding and highly reassuring support they offer.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from highly individualised support. All staff know how to support children with SEND.
• This inclusive practice ensures that children make excellent progress. Staff use additional funding very effectively, such as to provide wide entry doorways in dens for children to easily access and play in. All children have the same outstanding opportunities to play and learn.
• Leaders and staff have a thorough knowledge of the children they care for. They use this to build on children's learning even further and develop their essential life skills. For instance, staff precisely plan activities that they know will motivate children very effectively to join in. Children spend exceptionally long periods of time playing, engrossed in their explorations and learning. They are deeply engaged and curious learners.
• Children have very effective support from staff for their emotional well-being. This is an exceptional strength of the staff team. Staff help children to recognise their emotions and how to regulate them. For instance, when children get scared on the swing, staff swiftly explain to children why they might be afraid and what they may be feeling physically. This helps children to understand their feelings and try again. Children show remarkable resilience to setbacks they encounter as they play. They beam with sheer delight at their achievements.
• Staff deploy themselves very effectively to support children. They understand where and when to support children's learning. For instance, staff are readily available for lively discussions, prompting children to think, plan ideas and test them out. Staff use thought-provoking questions and set out superb invitations to play, as well as offering children plenty of time and attention. Staff encourage deeply meaningful and purposeful learning.
• Children are highly motivated by the superb outdoor learning environment that staff provide. Staff offer children many opportunities they may not have at home, such as growing trees. Staff stimulate children's sense of awe and wonder. For instance, there are amazing spaces for children to explore and the natural world to discover. Staff respond to children's interests, adding in meaningful songs and making links. They build very successfully on what children know and can do.