Bright Horizons Rugby Day Nursery and Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The setting is exceptional. Children flourish in the unique, homely and inspiring environment. They arrive at the setting happy and confident. The attentive and nurturing staff warmly greet children. Staff know children extremely well, and they are genuinely pleased to see them. Children settle quickly and confidently choose from and explore a wide range of activities. Staff are superb role models and are calm, patient and kind. They model how to take turns and have high expectations of children's behaviour.

Leaders create a curriculum that is ambitious for all children. Staff plan activities carefully to stimulate children's interest and foster a love of learning. Babies delight in superb sensory experiences that encourage their investigative skills. For example, they use their senses to explore and paint with objects such as pine cones and leaves. They use their fingers to mix paints, blend colours and create marks. Staff encourage children to 'dab' with the objects and then explore the patterns they create. Toddlers smile with delight as they transfer water between different-shaped containers. Staff continually use mathematical language, such as 'empty' and 'full'. They skilfully extend children's problem-solving skills. For example, when the neck of the vase becomes blocked with flower petals, they ask, 'How can we unblock the vase?' As children paint flowers imaginatively on a canvas, they carefully select the best size of brush to use and squeeze paint from containers. They show great joy in discussing their paintings with one another. Children discuss their favourite colours and confidently identify different parts of a flower.

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

• Leaders are enthusiastic, inspiring and innovative. They continually gather the views of staff, parents and children. Leaders reflect on their practice and seek ways to improve the provision. Staff's well-being is a high priority. Leaders support staff to overcome both personal and professional challenges. Consequently, children receive high-quality care in an environment that meets their needs.
• Staff provide enriching experiences for children, such as engaging with their local community. For example, children participate in activities with residents at a local care home. They walk to the canal and learn about water safety from the lock keeper. Children begin to understand the importance of helping others as they donate to charities, such as the air ambulance. This contributes to children's understanding of the world they live in and extends their learning meaningfully.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from staff's expert support. They work proactively with parents and other professionals and take swift action to develop individual learning support plans for children. This helps children to achieve the best possible outcome from their starting points.
• Partnerships with parents are incredibly supportive. Staff complete home visits before children begin, helping them to understand what children already know and can do. Staff provide numerous resources to help parents understand and support their children's learning at home. Staff also plan workshops for parents, such as Makaton and reading groups. This helps support the continuity of children's learning exceptionally well. Parents describe the setting as 'marvellous' and 'inspiring'. They value deeply the support they and their children receive.
• Staff create excellent opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. Staff support older children on outdoor climbing structures as they develop their balance and climbing skills. Indoor structures challenge younger children and babies to climb, balance and slide. Pre-school children help to construct a large wigwam as they weave wool in and out of tall canes. Children develop their hand-eye coordination in preparation for early writing.
• Staff introduce new vocabulary whenever possible. They include words such as 'squeeze' and 'sour' when children play with tea bags and lemon slices in water. Children happily sing songs and rhymes, and cuddle up with staff to share their favourite books. Children are confident communicators and ask lots of questions. Staff foster a love of books and support children to read at home through a lending library, for example.
• Children's independence skills blossom. Consistent routines throughout the setting aid children's development. Babies and toddlers showcase their progress, moving from using spoons to using knives and forks. Staff support babies to gain independence as they learn to use the soap dispenser, for instance. Children take great pleasure in their responsibilities. For example, children act as lunchtime monitors and hand out place mats. This helps to prepare children exceptionally well for their next stage of learning and development.
• Children develop a strong understanding of caring for the environment. They grow and pick fruits and vegetables, which the nursery then uses at mealtimes. Children begin to understand where food comes from and learn more about what they are eating. Eco-friendly activities help children to recognise the importance of recycling and sustainability from an early age.