Brook House Nursery Ltd.

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are content and confident. The nursery has a friendly atmosphere and a homely feel. Staff thoughtfully design a wide range of activities for children. This helps to maintain children's interests and hold their fascination. Staff are observant and notice when children are finding sand difficult to play with as it does not hold its shape. They add water and purposefully stand back to allow children time to explore the form and consistency of the sand. This freedom to explore without interruption sustains children's focus, and they remain engaged for a long time.

Young children play with farm animals in a tuff tray with different textures to help their sensory development. Staff encourage children's language development by supporting them to name the animals and match the sound. Children cheer in their successes. They start singing a familiar song and everyone joins in. Children are joyous and suggest animal sounds, which staff quickly recognise and add to, much to children's delight.

Staff consistently and gently remind children to use manners. They encourage children to be polite and praise them for being so. Staff encourage children to be safe and show respect for one another by using 'kind hands' and listening. The curriculum focuses on children's emotional development and encourages them to tune in to what they are feeling. Staff support children from a young age to think about taking turns and sharing.

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

• Staff set up activities based on children interests and what is happening around them. This motivates children to concentrate. Parents join children in an autumn scavenger hunt as they learn about the change in seasons, and children then use the leaves to print with. Children swirl autumnal-coloured paints together and discover how different colours blend together and change. They experiment with sponges shaped like leaves, pressing them down and watching the paint ooze out. They learn about cause and effect as they notice if they press hard more paint comes out. They then 'splat splat splat' it onto the paper and show it to staff.
• Older children work together outside to paint an imaginary pirate ship. They use language for thinking and discuss what they should do next. Staff offer children different-sized brushes to help with their task, then respectfully move away to allow children space. Children decide the ship must be dried as it is too wet. Staff assist further by telling children where the paper is for drying, and more friends join in and the children delegate jobs among themselves.
• Caring staff nurture children and know them well. They make every effort to meet the needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff consistently make eye contact with children and address them with positivity and warmth.
• Children eat home-cooked food together in a relaxed atmosphere. Staff sit with the children and encourage conversations. The nursery cook helps to design a balanced seasonal menu which is based on what children like to eat. Staff manage children's allergies. Parents report that they are happy with the level of care and consideration for their children's food likes and intolerances.
• Staff work together in partnership with outside agencies to promote healthy lifestyles for children. Children learn how to brush and take care of their teeth with help from a local college. Parents who are dentists are invited in to share their knowledge. Children enjoy extra-curricular activities, such as ballet and football, to help to develop their physical skills. Children grow fruit and vegetables in the nursery's allotment and taste their produce.
• The manager promotes a curriculum with children's happiness at the centre. Children are encouraged to be independent and curious. This can be seen throughout the nursery. Staff guide children to put on their shoes and socks and self-serve their food where possible. Children are encouraged to think for themselves and ask for what they want and need. This helps to prepare them for school.
• Staff observe children and monitor their progress using an online app. Parents enjoy the frequent updates on the app and appreciate the photos and videos of their children. The nursery has a high percentage of qualified staff and is committed to the continued professional development of all staff. However, the manager has not focused professional development for all staff to extend their knowledge of child development. This means that, on occasions, staff share some information with parents about their children's development which is misleading. Staff feel valued, and the manager and deputy are sensitive and responsive to staff's needs.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• focus professional development to help all staff to enhance their knowledge of child development further.