Blossom Years St Mary Hall, Chislehurst Day Nursery - BR7 5AQ

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children develop strong, nurturing relationships with staff at this warm and welcoming pre-school. Children arrive at pre-school and those that are a little unsure are supported very well by staff to settle and feel comfortable in their surroundings. They are keen to explore the activities on offer. They have a positive attitude to learning and show high levels of enjoyment and curiosity. For example, staff use activities to develop children's small hand muscles as they enjoy mark making on the large wipe board. This supports children's early writing skills. Staff have high expectations for all children. The curriculum provided is designed to meet children's individual needs and stimulate the interests of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

All children behave well. They learn to take turns and share the resources. Children learn to be independent as they put coats on for the garden and serve their snacks. Children develop their physical skills. For example, they eagerly join in activities to develop their large muscles, balance and coordination as they use wheeled toys, race on balance bikes, climb tree trunks in the garden. Children enjoy regular yoga sessions to support their well-being. They are confident and are motivated to learn and develop skills needed for the next stage of their learning.

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

• The interim manager has designed a curriculum that allows all children to progress across all learning areas. It is designed and planned with all the staff and supports and builds on children's learning, linking to their transition to school. The planning of activities is both child-led and teacher directed. Staff are motivated and supported well by the manager, who involves them all in the planning. The manager and staff work well together, implementing strategies to support children with the recent changes.
• Children have good opportunities to develop their communication and language skills. Staff listen well to children and introduce them to new words to extend children's vocabulary. Staff provide good narrative to describe what they are doing and engage them in meaningful conversations. Staff focus on children's speech and language through songs and stories at group times. However, staff do not consistently use questions effectively to challenge children's thinking skills. For example, during story time, staff are animated as they read but do not challenge the children's thinking or seek their ideas or thoughts about the story.
• Staff are good role models and generally engage in a positive way when joining children's play. This said, at times during adult-led activities, staff do not check children fully understand what they need to do as staff explanations and instructions are rushed. Therefore, the younger or quieter children are unsure of what is expected. This means they do not have the same learning opportunities.
• Children confidently use mathematical language in their play. They accurately count how many ice creams they need to make as they play and the change they need to give to friends. Staff teach children the names of shapes they see around the garden and children confidently compare the different sizes of the bugs they find on the bug hunt. This supports children's understanding of early mathematical concepts and prepares them for the next stage in their learning.
• Partnership working is good. Links with parents are robust and they comment that the nursery is 'fabulous'. Parents comment positively on how they have been completely informed of changes at the setting and the transition between managers have been smooth. Links with the local authority are highly effective. The manager has good links with the local community and other childcare professionals.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• improve staff's questioning techniques, so they challenge children's thinking skills to extend learning to the highest level
• support staff to check children understand what they need to do to enhance their learning further.