Brightstart Montessori Nursery, North Walsham

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive at the nursery ready to explore and learn. They are greeted by warm and caring staff, who support them to confidently separate from their parents. Children come into the nursery with excitement and are quick to explore the range of activities available to them. Staff are on hand to support children in their learning, encouraging their independence as they select their own resources. Children smile with pride as they successfully complete their chosen activities and are praised by staff. Children's independence is supported well within the nursery. There are well-planned activities provided to help children to develop life skills, such as pouring, managing fastenings and serving their own snack. Staff use their secure knowledge of each child to tailor the support given, helping all children to achieve.

Staff provide excellent role models for children. They display high levels of respect for the children and each other. Staff model using please and thank you. Children are supported to develop positive relationships with each other. Staff calmly and kindly encourage children to consider how they could resolve situations, such as turn-taking. As a result, children behave well and are considerate of each other.

Leaders have built a broad curriculum that is ambitious for all children. Staff understand the aims of the curriculum and the methods of teaching very well. There is a clear progression of skills across the planned activities provided. Staff take time to understand what children already know so that they can plan what they need to learn next. Staff use this knowledge to adapt activities to meet the unique developmental needs of each child to ensure they are challenged.

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

• Staff have a secure knowledge of child development. This is used, alongside effective teaching strategies, to ensure children make good progress and that they are prepared for the next stage of their development. For example, staff provide a variety of physical and mark-making activities for children to develop the skills needed for future writing.
• Staff work together to plan exciting and engaging activities, using children's interests to inspire and motivate learning. The Montessori-based approach is well planned and confidently delivered by staff. These activities offer children a clear progression of skills. Staff use these in a variety of ways to achieve the best learning experience for each child. In addition to these, children are provided with additional resources to explore, both independently and with support. Children enjoy exploring these, but they are not as well considered as other areas of the provision. As a result, children have less opportunity to plan, explore and test their ideas or extend their own learning.
• Children enjoy quality interactions with staff. Language is modelled well to children, and staff understand how to support children's communication. Staff help children to expand their vocabulary using stories, songs and discussions. Children delight in well-structured activities, where staff provide excellent role models for listening and attention. Staff use active learning to capture children's interests and involve them in discovering all about the natural world. Children are happy to share the experience, giggling and talking to each other and staff. Using statements and gentle questioning, staff encourage children to consider what they are learning and link it to their previous experiences.
• The embedded routine of the nursery enables staff to work well together as a team. The structure ensures staff are confident in their role and allows them to be efficiently deployed across the provision. However, occasionally this can impact on staff interactions with children. For example, at times when staff were settling children into the nursery, they have to attend to other duties as part of the routine requirements.
• Leaders have developed robust observation and assessment processes to ensure children's progress is regularly monitored. This enables staff to identify where children may need extra support or additional challenge. As a result, children are provided with tailored learning journeys that help them to achieve their best outcomes.
• Parents speak positively about the nursery. They are happy with their children's progress. Parents feel particularly well supported during the settling-in process. Staff adapt settling-in sessions to meet the needs of the child. Communication with parents is a strength. Staff share children's learning with parents, including at progress meetings. Staff work with parents to identify what it is the children should learn next and give them ideas on how this can be supported at home.
• Leaders support staff to continue to develop their knowledge and practice. Annual training is planned to ensure all staff have access to professional development opportunities. Staff are able to further deepen their understanding of the pedagogy of the nursery. Staff feel valued and well supported by leaders.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• continue to enhance the environment, allowing children to further explore opportunities to extend their own learning
• reflect on the organisation of routines to enable staff to continue to focus on their quality interactions with children.