Bright Horizons Canada Square Day Nursery and Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Managers and staff greet children warmly on their arrival at the nursery. They adopt a kind and caring approach. Staff help children to settle quickly, such as by offering comfort and cuddles when needed. They recognise the importance of fostering strong relationships. For instance, key persons arrange thoughtful inductions, taking time to understand each child's individual needs. This helps to support children's emotional development and provides a smooth transition for them to the nursery. Staff are committed to ensuring that every child makes the best possible progress. They follow a carefully planned curriculum that considers each child's next steps in learning and their individual interests. In general, staff prioritise supporting children's communication, language and social skills well.

Staff are mindful of children's needs and demonstrate a high level of respect in their interactions. As a result, children feel relaxed and emotionally prepared to engage in their play and learning well. For instance, staff help children to develop turn-taking skills through cooking activities. They guide children in measuring ingredients for cupcakes and offer a running commentary as they play. When children require additional support to manage their emotions during daily transitions, staff use songs to cheer them up. Additionally, staff clarify their clear expectations for children's behaviour. For example, they reinforce important boundaries in each room. This helps children to develop positive attitudes and behave well.

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

• The key-person system is effective. Staff have a clear understanding of the knowledge and skills they aim for their key children to develop. Staff's interactions with children are nurturing. They know how to build on what children already know and can do, gradually preparing them for the transition to school.
• Staff help children to develop a broad understanding of mathematical concepts. They assist children to understand individual numbers and offer activities such as matching objects to numerals and counting cups of water during water play. They incorporate children's learning of numbers into daily routines, such as counting steps, the date and the days of the week.
• Staff create opportunities within daily routines to help children to develop their independence. They support younger children to learn how to pour their own drinks from jugs during mealtimes, while older children practise cutting their own fruit for snack time.
• Parents and carers speak very positively about the care their babies and children receive. They appreciate the quality of communication they receive regarding their children's learning and development. Parents highlight the significant progress their children make.
• Staff help children to develop strong physical skills. For example, they support babies to learn to walk and provide them with opportunities to stay safe and navigate space. Staff allow children to take manageable risks, such as climbing small steps, while providing close supervision.
• Staff plan outings to enhance children's understanding of the world, such as trips to the local farm to learn about animals and plants. They follow up with activities at the nursery to deepen children's knowledge, such as helping them to explore the sounds that animals make.
• Managers foster a positive and supportive culture. They offer staff continuous development through high-quality coaching and training. Managers provide effective supervision sessions, which ensures a clear understanding of staff's strengths. They use regular target reviews help to enhance staff's skills and aspirations. Staff feel highly supported and valued, and they enjoy working in the nursery, which they say feels like an extension of their families.
• The curriculum supports children to develop healthy attitudes. Staff teach children the benefits of healthy eating, good oral health and active lifestyles.
• Staff place an emphasis on the curriculum, teaching children respect and an understanding of diverse backgrounds. They organise cultural events with parent participation and create opportunities to celebrate each child. This boosts children's self-confidence and self-esteem.
• Staff generally interact well with children. However, sometimes, they move on too quickly. This limits opportunities for children to think, respond or process information. Staff occasionally ask questions too fast, which means children do not have consistent opportunities to think independently, repeat key vocabulary or explore meaning further.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive strong support. Staff plan targeted interventions for those children with speech and language delays. They use diverse strategies and collaborate with external professionals and parents effectively.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• allow children enough time to think independently, repeat key vocabulary and explore meaning to enhance their language and comprehension skills.