Blooming Years Nursery Schools

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff create a warm, engaging and inviting environment for children, which enables them to arrive happy and quickly settle. Staff form secure bonds with children, which helps them to feel safe, secure and valued. Staff implement an ambitious curriculum that enables all children to make good progress in their learning and development.

Children benefit from a wide variety of carefully thought out indoor and outdoor learning experiences. Activities such as yoga, physical education and trips to the library provide children with a wealth of learning opportunities. This supports children's physical and mental well-being and enhances their experiences of the wider world around them.

Children's interests are at the heart of the curriculum. Staff are skilled at expanding children's knowledge and introducing new ideas and concepts. Stories, music and songs are regularly weaved into daily routines to support children's developing language, communication and creativity. Children behave well and are supported to be kind and considerate to others. Staff ensure that children receive plenty of praise to recognise their achievements by giving 'high fives'. This builds their confidence and self-esteem. Staff are skilled at using pictorial prompts to support children's understanding of the daily routines. This provides reassurance to children as they know what to expect.

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

• Leaders and managers are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate about providing a curriculum that supports children to make the best possible progress. They are very good role models for staff, and they guide and support practice extremely well. Consistent evaluation enables leaders to be reflective to support continual improvements. For example, reorganisation of lunchtimes has ensured that children are not rushed and have more opportunities to develop their independence.
• Staff say that they love working at the nursery, and they show genuine care and affection for the children. They have many opportunities to develop their own skills and abilities. The leadership team places good focus on staff training and ensures that all staff keep their knowledge up to date. Staff report that recent training on sign language has helped them to develop children's communication and language skills. Some basic signs have also been shared with parents to enable them to also support children's learning at home.
• Staff engage all children in meaningful learning. Babies build confidence as they explore their environment. They show perseverance as they practice using the climber and are supported to develop their physical mobility. Staff nurture babies who happily snuggle up with them to share books. They name key words and enjoy the rhyme and repetition of familiar stories. Toddlers enjoy multi-sensory play. They explore textures, such as dough, and pretend to make 'blueberry cakes'. Staff enthusiastically join in their play and support children to develop their imagination.
• Older children are prepared well for their transitions to school. Staff facilitate group-time activities, which build their attention and listening skills. As children participate in the 'alphabet soup' activity, they are supported to describe familiar objects and explore letters and sounds. They talk about their home life and excitedly share experiences with their friends.
• Staff are skilled at introducing mathematical concepts during everyday routines. Younger children count the steps as they carefully go up and down stairs. Older children use their problem-solving skills as they play games and calculate one more or one less. Children benefit from a language-rich environment. However, on occasions, they do not always have sufficient opportunities to develop their listening and communication skills during some group activities.
• Children with special educational needs and/ or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. Systems to identify where children may need support are good and early help is sought promptly. Staff work closely with parents and external professionals to monitor progress and develop clear targets. This has a positive impact on children with SEND, helping them to thrive in the nursery.
• Parents are very happy with the care that is provided to their children and describe staff as 'fantastic'. Parents say their children are excited to come to nursery and have made good progress in their learning. Parents value the hard work of staff and enjoy receiving regular updates about their children's achievements.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• build on existing good practice by encouraging children to develop their listening and communication skills further during group activities to ensure that they get the most out of all experiences.