Bright Horizons Sale Day Nursery and Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive at this outstanding nursery and are making excellent progress. They demonstrate extremely high levels of interest when they arrive at the safe, nurturing and well-resourced environment. Children are happy and settle quickly as they are welcomed by incredibly friendly staff. They have a deep understanding of their routines and follow them well. For example, pre-school children know that they need to hang up their coats and bags before signing in the self-registration book. This helps them to develop their literacy skills and prepares them for their next stage in learning. Children are extremely keen to engage with adults, demonstrating their strong bonds with their key person. They explore their surroundings, finding fascination and enjoyment in everything, including the simplest of resources. For example, babies develop an understanding for language, identifying a range of different objects. Toddlers develop their love of books and understanding of the world through exploring 'Handa's Surprise' and tasting a range of fresh fruits and vegetables. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They demonstrate mutual respect towards each other, learn to share and wait patiently for their turn.

Staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They provide an excellent range of activities and experiences that captivate and excite all children, including pre-school. For example, they experiment with objects that float and sink when placed in water. Children eagerly anticipate what will happen next. Staff encourage the children to make independent choices. Children use their extremely well developed language skills to pronounce and repeat words, such as 'float', 'sink' and 'density' and talk about what they are seeing.

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

• The nursery manager leads by example and ensures that the nursery's curriculum intent is well established and embedded securely. Staff know the children exceedingly well. They collect detailed information to provide exciting learning opportunities from the outset. Staff use precise ongoing assessment to identify and close gaps in learning and development swiftly. Consequently, all children, including those with SEND, make exceptional progress from their starting points.
• The special educational needs coordinator (SENDCo) supports the staff team effectively to ensure that children with SEND receive prompt, targeted early help and support. The SENDCo works exceptionally well with parents and other professionals to create individual learning plans to close any minor gaps in their learning. Partner agencies praise the SENDCo for using initiative when supporting children with emerging needs to ensure that all children with SEND make rapid progress in their learning and development.
• Children's behaviours are admirable. They listen well and follow instructions from staff and understand what is expected of them. Staff model positive interactions and promote good manners. For example, at lunchtime staff sit alongside children, supporting conversations and good table manners. Children talk about the activities they have completed in the morning, recalling what they know. Staff extend this by talking about their intentions for the afternoon. Children wait and take turns before serving their own lunch. Children are able to demonstrate their self-confidence and understanding of others' feelings.
• Children develop an understanding of the importance of regular exercise. Staff teach children about the world around them. For example, children learn about the different nations taking part in the Commonwealth Games as they participate in their own obstacle course. Staff regularly take children to visit the local park. Children have fun as they run with their friends and navigate the obstacle course. They are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe. Staff gently remind them of the rules, such as holding hands when crossing the road. They support children to further develop their social skills while developing their confidence.
• Staff are highly motivated by their inspirational management team. The management team meticulously uses staff supervisions to develop practice through targeted training. Regular checks are carried out on the quality of teaching and learning. Ongoing workplace development has been an essential element of the nursery's continuing success. Staff have opportunities to further develop their knowledge. They appreciate the privacy that leaders provide for them to discuss their well-being and workload. Staff develop knowledge and skills through effective working partnerships with a range of external agencies.
• Parent partnerships are remarkable. They comment that staff go beyond expectations to provide support and advice to families. They provide breakfast for parents and communication books for sensitive information-sharing. Menus, advice for healthy living and the nursery's ethos and visions are also shared. Staff provide a wide range of books and educational activity packs to take home. Parents give incredibly positive feedback. They appreciate the dedicated support and communication. Parents feel that their children settle quickly and thrive at the nursery.