Brighter Beginnings Charlestown

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children's laughter fills the air of this vibrant nursery. Staff greet children and their families at the door due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Children take these changes in their stride and excitedly sing nursery rhymes as they enter. Children are confident, resilient and self-assured individuals. They tell the inspector that they 'love to read stories' and that they are good at singing songs. In the main, children show positive attitudes towards their learning and behave well. However, some staff do not always provide children with clear messages about their behaviour. This means that some children do not always know what is expected of them.

Staff support children's large-muscle skills very well. Older children show excellent skills while they climb, jump and balance outdoors. Younger children giggle with delight while looking at snails, and babies enjoy exploring musical instruments. Children show a love of reading and share books with one another. They talk about characters and excitedly inform staff what happens next in stories. Children gain the necessary skills in readiness for their move to school.

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

• Leaders want the very best for the children in their care and aspire to be outstanding. Self-evaluation is accurate and includes the views of children and parents. Leaders' capacity to continually improve and drive forward change is strong.
• In the main, leaders provide a curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do. For example, older children show great fascination while looking at snails, which builds on their interest of living things. However, leaders do not always ensure that all staff are clear on what they intend them to teach children. This means that some activities are not always pitched at the right level for some children. For example, staff in the baby room count beyond 10 to babies and teach them the names of shapes. This is too advanced for these babies and does not match their current interests.
• Parental partnerships are a strength of the nursery. Parents commend staff on their loving and caring nature. They state that they could not have chosen a better place for their children. Parents receive regular updates about their children's care and learning. Links with external professionals and other childcare settings are excellent.
• Staff report that working at the nursery is like being a part of 'one big family'. They commend leaders on always being approachable. Staff workload is managed well, and their well-being is given high priority. Supervision sessions and appraisal meetings take place on a regular basis. Staff are given challenging targets and leaders monitor these with rigour.
• Overall, children show good communication and language skills. They talk about their favourite toys and the activities that they enjoy. However, some staff do not always engage in meaningful conversations with children. This does not support children's speaking skills to the highest level.
• Generally, children show care and respect towards one another. They are keen to share their achievements, for example when they create construction models. However, some staff do not always provide children with clear messages about their behaviour. This means that some children do not always know what is expected of them.
• The support in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language is good. Leaders leave no stone unturned in their pursuit to ensure that no child is at a disadvantage. They spend additional funding exceptionally well. For example, leaders take children on visits to places that they would not usually attend. These include the zoo and farm. Children relish these moments and talk about the names of different animals.
• Care practices are good. Staff teach children about the importance of healthy living. Children talk about the significance of brushing their teeth and eating healthy foods. They enjoy being outdoors and show high levels of physical endurance while running and playing football. Children discuss the effects that exercise has on their bodies and why it is important to drink water.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help staff to better understand how to provide children with clear messages about their behaviour
• better support staff to fully understand what leaders intend them to teach children
• strengthen staff understanding of how they can support children's speaking skills to the highest level.