Brookfield Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff and leaders create an exceedingly calm and welcoming environment, which captivates children's attention. This inspires them to be motivated learners who explore their surroundings with awe and wonder. Children quickly engross themselves in their chosen activities, such as turning the available resources into seesaws, and watching with fascination as they rock the toy cars back and forth. Staff skilfully build on children's interests to further develop their knowledge. For instance, as young children independently look at themselves in the mirror, staff encourage them to notice what they and their friends look like. This provides children with secure foundations to begin to notice similarities and differences between themselves and others.

Leaders implement a highly ambitious curriculum which aims to provide all children with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life. They recognise the importance of supporting children to confidently talk about their feelings to promote their well-being and future positive mental health. As such, they have trained staff to lead discussion times, so children have opportunities to reflect on what they have done during the day and talk about how it made them feel. These group activities flow seamlessly, and children show that this is a well-practised routine. They eagerly raise their hands when they wish to speak. Although children are keen to share their thoughts and ideas, they behave exceptionally well as they respectfully listen to their friends talking and patiently wait for their turn.

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

• The leadership team is exceptionally strong. Leaders have designed a highly effective curriculum that aims to provide all children with an excellent start on their learning journeys. They have a clear ethos to empower children by giving them choices to promote their all-round development. This ethos is delivered by highly skilled staff, who receive extensive coaching, mentoring and support from the inspirational leadership team. Leaders are highly effective at training staff to bring the curriculum to life through nature and the use of natural resources. As such, the rich curriculum is firmly embedded within staff practice, and children flourish in their progress.
• Staff have extensive knowledge of children and their families. They ensure that they gather all relevant information from parents and other agencies so that they can provide the highest level of care and teaching for all children. Staff act swiftly when they have concerns to ensure that children access the support they need. Staff provide thorough handovers when children progress through the nursery. Children are given time to adjust to their new room through settling-in sessions that are built around their needs. This contributes towards children seamlessly transitioning to their new environment.
• Staff are excellent role models for children, demonstrating respect and kindness in their everyday interactions. For example, staff consistently use positive language when they talk to children, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you' at appropriate times. They also ask children's permission to complete daily tasks, such as changing their nappies and helping them with self-care routines. This promotes positive, consensual interactions, where children's voices are heard and listened to. This empowers children to develop an understanding of their own boundaries and to confidently express their own preferences.
• The arrangements to build on children's independence are exemplary. They are securely embedded within the curriculum across all age groups. For example, staff use mirrors to help all children, including the youngest, to learn to clean their own faces after they have finished eating. Older children develop these skills further by confidently preparing their own snacks using age-appropriate equipment. This helps children to learn from a very early age how to look after themselves and complete tasks on their own.
• Children benefit from exceptional interactions. Staff are mindful to ensure that all children are included in group activities, which allows them to follow their interests and engage deeply in their chosen activity. Staff also engage children in back-and-forth conversations which encourages them to become confident in their communication skills. Staff skilfully use questioning to help children to practise new words they have learned. For instance, staff ask children to observe how their papier-mâché mixture has changed, and children notice that it has become 'soggy'.
• All parents appreciate the outstanding care and teaching that leaders and staff provide for their children. Leaders and staff develop strong partnerships with parents, and they work together to ensure that children receive consistent support at home and at the nursery. This ensures that children thrive in their development.