Bridgwater College Childcare Centre

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this wonderful childcare centre. Staff develop strong bonds with children as they have an in-depth knowledge about children's individual needs. They have exceptional knowledge to support children's developmental stages. Staff soothe babies with cuddles and songs, and encourage them to explore many sensory activities. During play, children are highly engaged and motivated to learn. Excellent teaching skills are demonstrated by staff. When explaining how water turns to ice, staff are very detailed. Children learn about cause and effect as they discuss what happens when it gets cold outside. Staff skilfully reinforce learning by using books and rhymes. For example, staff read a story about ice skating and ask children about their previous experiences. This reinforces children's learning.

Children are confident as staff support them to take appropriate risks. For example, during forest school, staff show children how to make a fire. Children then watch as they heat water in a kettle to make hot chocolate on a cold day. An ambitious curriculum supports children's curiosity to learn. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make rapid progress in this exciting learning environment.

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

• The management team has an extremely strong focus on partnerships with parents and professionals to ensure that the children have the best start. Parents are extremely complimentary about the childcare centre. They praise staff for the excellent care, stating that they go above and beyond to support the children in their care. For example, tailored workshops support parents in a variety of areas relating to parenting.
• The management team has a clear vision for the childcare centre that encourages children's independence through an ambitious and well-planned curriculum. Staff plan learning experiences meticulously. They consider how to tailor activities, building on children's prior knowledge in each learning area. Children benefit greatly from small-group activities that focus on maths and literacy.
• Children are highly skilled communicators and develop a love of reading. Staff read to children consistently. Children access books freely across the whole childcare centre. Children repeat new vocabulary, such as 'hibernate', which they recall from previous activities. Staff skilfully combine books with all activities on offer. For example, an activity for children to build a house with bricks includes books for children to refer to. Staff read stories to the children about a place called home. This sparks conversation and supports children's learning, creating a strong foundation for future learning.
• The forest school is an important part of the nursery where children deepen their learning about the natural world. Children show delight as they feed the birds seeds and comment on the birds that they see, such as the sparrows and the robin who likes to visit the children regularly. Staff carefully explain the rules of the forest school to the children and praise them for following them, reinforcing their expectations. Children behave and work very well together. They cooperate and share, which helps them to make excellent progress in their social and emotional development.
• Staff support children's emotional well-being effectively. For instance, staff have introduced cosy spaces throughout the childcare centre so that children can take themselves away from the busy environment. Staff sensitively talk to children about their feelings using a 'rainbow of emotions'. Children learn to regulate their emotions and express themselves in a positive way.
• The manager is extremely conscientious. She strives for continuous improvement, which is reflected in her knowledgeable staff team and feedback from parents. She supports staff through very precise professional development and supervision. Staff talk about the excellent support that they receive from their manager and the college, through the extensive well-being resources available to them. Staff feel that these are beneficial for their mental health.
• Children are exceptionally independent. Babies put on their own hats and boots if they can. Older children show off their independence skills as they get themselves ready in their waterproofs, hats and gloves ready for outdoor play. Children serve themselves at lunchtime and pour their own drinks. Equally, they are aware of self-care and hygiene procedures, such as washing their hands after being outside and blowing their own noses.