Bright Horizons Harpenden Central Day Nursery and Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish at this friendly nursery. They are warmly welcomed by enthusiastic staff, who swiftly engage them in play. Children form exceptionally strong bonds with all staff. Those who progress to other rooms beam with delight when they see previous key staff. They wave at them excitedly and run into their arms. Children develop close friendships with each other. At nap time, they tuck blankets around one another and help staff soothe children to sleep by stroking their hair affectionately.

Children's communication and language skills are superbly supported throughout the nursery. Babies delight at the songs and rhymes that staff expertly introduce into their play. Pre-school children engage enthusiastically in inspirational story sessions. They choose imaginary characters and themes and develop their own narrative with support from highly skilled staff.

Children demonstrate exceptionally high levels of independence. Staff encourage children to complete age-appropriate tasks with minimal support. For example, toddlers place used tissues in the dustbin and wash their hands without prompting. Older children prepare snacks and serve their own meals. Children of all ages are highly skilled at using appropriate cutlery and pouring drinks at mealtimes. This prepares children well for the routines of school.

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

• Management and staff are passionate about their role in supporting children's development. They closely monitor children's progress and are swift to identify when children may need additional support, including the most able children. Staff plan exciting activities based on children's interests. They extend and adapt them well to ensure they remain suitably challenging for all children. For example, children revisit an activity where they build tunnels out of pumpkins. Those who are uneasy about the texture of the flesh use spoons to scoop it out. Children count the seeds they have collected. They develop an understanding of more complex mathematical concepts by adding further seeds and then taking quantities away.
• Children of all ages are highly skilled at identifying and managing risks in their play. Staff use the nursery's safety mascot to support children's understanding of potential hazards. At mealtimes, young children explain that they use knives for pushing and cutting and do not put them in their mouths. Pre-school children take an active role in completing daily risk assessments of their environment. They consider the impact hazards could have on them and their friends.
• Management and staff reflect diligently on all areas of their practice. Recent changes to the pre-school area allow staff to place exceptional focus on ensuring all children are well prepared for school, regardless of their current abilities. Diligent staff reflect well on their own abilities and take every opportunity to extend their learning. They embrace numerous training opportunities and share their knowledge with one another in regular meetings and social team-building sessions.
• Partnerships with parents are of an exceptionally high standard. The nursery has introduced an electronic diary system to share daily information about children's routines. Parents attend regular stay-and-play sessions to remain fully informed about their children's progress. Pre-school children take home weekly activities to explore with parents. These tasks are highly focused on the individual child and support their specific learning goals.
• Children demonstrate incredibly high levels of curiosity in their play. Staff encourage children to take the lead in activities. They support children's growing knowledge with high-quality interactions. For example, pre-school children make modelling dough. Staff encourage them to discuss what happens when they add water and paint to their mixture. Younger children create potions. They explore what happens when they add oil and other objects to their concoctions.
• Children's transitions through the nursery are exceptionally well supported. The skilled staff ensure children are confident in their abilities and familiar with their new environment before they move permanently. A highly effective key-person system ensures detailed information about each child is well communicated. This supports children to settle swiftly and continue to make excellent progress.