Bright Horizons Wandsworth Common Day Nursery and Preschool

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive at this stimulating nursery confidently and happily. Babies settle quickly and form close attachments with staff, who are attentive and comforting. Babies delight in sensory activities which are set up by staff. They squeeze and smell real fruits, and push transport toys through different textures. Babies join in with familiar songs, and staff share books with them. This supports babies with their growing communication. Toddlers show high levels of independence. They freely access the outdoor area. Children develop their physical skills as they climb and learn to negotiate space. At lunchtime, they use cutlery correctly. Children scrape their own plates and wash their hands before and after meals.

Older children develop a range of skills when they play. They use knives safely to carve through vegetables in the home corner, and talk about healthy and unhealthy foods. Children are highly engaged in activities. They show fascination and demonstrate problem-solving skills. For example, children use hammers to free model animals from ice sculptures. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported well. Staff model vocabulary and repeat words for children. They involve families in incorporating children's home languages and traditions into the setting. This supports all children to learn about different cultures.

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

• The manager establishes an ambitious curriculum to enable children to embed and build on their existing knowledge. For example, children learn about the human body and develop their knowledge of how it works. They use tweezers to explore pretend organs and discuss what they do.
• Staff use rhymes to support babies' communication. Babies sing and join in action songs with excitement. Children who speak English as an additional language are encouraged to use simple words and songs from their home language during their play. This supports them to make good progress.
• Children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. They participate in a 'ready for school' programme which helps to strengthen their communication, confidence and independence. It also helps parents to understand school readiness.
• Parent partnerships are strong. Parents comment on how their children love attending. They speak highly of the nursery and the support that they receive. This includes how well they have been supported throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents talk positively about the nursery app, where children's progress and next steps in learning are shared with them. Staff share activity cards to give parents ideas to extend their children's learning at home.
• Staff teach children about health and safety practices. Even the youngest children learn about self-care and independently use 'tissue stations'. Staff work
• Inspection report: Bright Horizons Wandsworth Common Day Nursery and Preschool 2 8 April 2022 closely with parents to manage children's allergies. The chef has rigorous protocols to manage children's dietary requirements. Children are involved in learning about allergies. They help staff to match colour-coded cups and plates, and discuss what each colour means. The chef provides alternative foods for children to try at home.
• The manager acts with integrity. She has a clear vision for the setting and includes children, staff and parents in changes. Staff comment positively on the support they receive, including for their well-being. They are given opportunities to develop their knowledge through training.
• The manager has short, daily catch-up sessions with staff. These include discussions about the activities on offer. This supports staff to understand the curriculum intent. However, some staff are unable to discuss the intent behind their key children's activities. This means that children do not consistently receive consistent opportunities to build on their learning further.
• Staff incorporate mathematical concepts into children's play. Children use stethoscopes and heart monitors to count and read out numbers. Babies join in with early counting. They play with numbered objects and stack construction toys outside.
• Staff use a nursery mascot to support children to learn about risks. For example, before an activity using cutting utensils, staff encourage children to tell the mascot what might be dangerous.
• Staff implement a reading programme across all age groups of children. This supports even the youngest children to learn how to handle books. Older children learn to read simple words and take pride in owning a book bag in preparation for school.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support all staff to understand the curriculum intent so that they can extend children's learning at every opportunity.
• Inspection report: Bright Horizons Wandsworth Common Day Nursery and Preschool 3 8 April 2022