Bright Horizons Grove Lodge, Burgess Hill Day Nursery and Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children attending the nursery are confident and highly independent individuals. They relish every opportunity to have a go at doing things for themselves. For instance, babies wipe their noses with adult support and feed themselves using spoons. Young children know exactly what is going to happen next, which gives them a sense of security and helps them to feel safe. For example, when staff ask children's permission to change their nappies, children respond by smiling and walking to the changing area. Children understand what is expected of them. They behave well, wait patiently to take turns and share resources with each other.

Children make good progress in their learning. Staff identify children's interests and what they need to learn next. This helps them to plan the learning experiences that they provide. Children enjoy creative activities, such as painting and drawing. They show excellent control when using scissors and are able to cut simple shapes. Children proudly share their art with their teachers and visitors and offer it to them as a gift. This demonstrates their kindness. Children use magnifying glasses to look for bugs and insects in the garden. They work together to hunt for worms in the wormery. These opportunities teach children about the natural world around them.

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

• Parents state that they are 'extremely happy with the care provided by the team'. They praise the staff, describing them as 'encouraging' and 'caring'. Staff regularly share information with parents. They provide parents with guidance on how to support their children at home. This promotes consistency between the home and the setting.
• Children are inquisitive and eager to learn. They confidently explore the environment and make choices about where they would like to play. They focus well on activities that they choose. Staff listen and respond to children's requests. This helps children to feel valued.
• Children make good progress in their communication and language. They listen and hear a broad range of vocabulary. For instance, staff teach older children the meaning of the word 'expanding'. Staff who work with younger children use simple sign language to support their understanding. They provide families with books that they can take home to share together. This helps to promote a love of reading.
• Staff have high expectations of what they want children to achieve. They know their key children well and have precisely identified what children need to learn next. Staff support children to develop their mathematical understanding. They use mathematical language about quantity and number. However, on occasion, staff do not consider whether the concepts they are teaching children are beyond their understanding. For example, they use large numbers that children
• Inspection report: Bright Horizons Grove Lodge, Burgess Hill Day Nursery and Preschool 2 11 May 2023 are not familiar with.
• Staff receive effective supervision sessions that help them to develop and improve. The manager sets staff targets to work towards and ensures they receive focused professional development. Staff speak positively about their role. They feel well supported by the manager and the wider management team. This leads to a positive, welcoming environment.
• The manager has clear intentions for the curriculum for all children. She recognises the importance of sequencing children's learning as they grow and develop. Staff know what they want children to learn through their planned activities. However, at times, staff do not check that children understand what they are teaching to build upon children's prior knowledge. For example, when children are planting seeds, staff do not consider how to ensure that children understand what the seeds will turn into.
• Staff gather information from parents to inform the experiences that they provide for children. They aim to give children new opportunities that they may not have experienced at home. For example, children write letters and post these to other nurseries. Staff also arrange for visitors to attend the setting to talk about their occupations, such as dentists.
• Children receive healthy, balanced meals and snacks. They spend time outside in the fresh air. Children run, climb and ride bikes with ease. They enjoy being physically active. Staff help children to learn how to keep safe in the sunshine. They remind them of the need to wear a hat and suncream before playing outside.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff's understanding of how to introduce new concepts and ideas that are age-appropriate
• ensure that all staff check on children's understanding to build on their prior learning.
• Inspection report: Bright Horizons Grove Lodge, Burgess Hill Day Nursery and Preschool 3 11 May 2023