Broomfield Hospital Day Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are very happy and immensely valued by the deeply nurturing staff. They clearly feel safe and secure and positively welcome the warm interactions from staff in their play. Babies squeal in excitement as they perfect rolling a ball to staff. They snuggle up to staff as they become tired and are highly motivated to feed themselves. Children are enthusiastic and excited about their learning. They move very confidently between play areas and make their own choices from the rich variety of activities.

Children build strong friendships from an early age. Younger children take turns to build a wide tower using foam bricks. They carefully position bricks in alternate directions as they know this will make it strong. Younger children enjoy the praise they receive as they independently complete tasks. They beam with delight as they work out how to take a digital photograph using a child-appropriate camera. Older children show an excellent interest in literacy. They identify and know the sound of letters and confidently write their own name and other simple words. Their vivid imaginations demonstrate that they have a clear understanding of how stories are structured. Children eagerly participate in the nursery's own mathematical programme. They solve complex problems, such as addition and subtraction.

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

• Staff are fully aware of children's current and previous experiences, including the impact that COVID-19 has had on their learning and development. Highly effective experiences sharply focus on closing these gaps. For example, 'parent borrow bags' contain an abundance of guidance and resources to support happy and healthy minds. Children practise techniques at home which are then replicated within the nursery. This means that any gaps swiftly close and children flourish in their progression. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language receive exceptionally well-tailored support.
• Key persons have an excellent understanding of child development and know how their key children prefer to learn. They deliver an impressive and well-sequenced curriculum that consistently meets children's needs. Therefore, every activity has a very clear purpose and builds on what children need to learn next. Children are highly inquisitive. They hear a vehicle as they play outdoors. Staff are superb at using spontaneous events to challenge children's critical thinking.
• Staff are highly skilled at supporting children's communication and language development from an early age. Babies babble and listen intently to staff singing their favourite songs. Younger children confidently ask questions. Children's vocabulary rapidly expands as they are introduced to words such as 'biodegradable' and 'pipette'.
• Staff place considerable emphasis on encouraging children to explore their uniqueness. 'Mini me' photographs of children are included in many activities, providing a strong sense of belonging. This stimulates children to talk about similarities and differences. Staff actively avoid gender stereotyping. Children have an excellent appreciation of diversity.
• Children's behaviour is impeccable. They play harmoniously together and thoroughly enjoy taking turns to be a special helper or safety detective. Children's physical well-being is superbly promoted. Staff guide younger children's footing on the climbing wall, before they take a further step.
• The inspirational management team is fully reflective and has embedded highly innovative methods to support and monitor the development of staff practice. They coach and mentor staff to help them to confidently perform to their full potential. Staff complete regular targeted training. Expertise is successfully shared between staff to enable all children to benefit from outstanding practice. The management team meets regularly with staff to discuss their progress and well-being. Staff enjoy working at the nursery and feel valued.
• Partnerships with parents are exceptional. Parents receive excellent communication from staff about their children's time in the nursery. Staff truly value parents' input and information about children's experiences and achievements at home. They skilfully build on this within exciting activities. Staff give parents constant support and ideas of how to complement their children's learning at home. Parents describe the staff as 'exceptional' and how they go the 'extra mile' to ensure their children's needs are fully met.