Busy Bees At Cheam Park

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The staff place children at the heart of everything they do at this inclusive and welcoming nursery. Children enter with confidence and settle at activities that interest them. They have formed good bonds with staff, who know their individual needs and interests. Younger children show that they feel secure as they approach staff for cuddles and reassurance when needed. Children are respectful and consistently display positive behaviours. They demonstrate a sense of belonging at the nursery.

The curriculum across the nursery meets the needs of children. It sequentially builds to prepare children for their transition to school. It has a focus on children's communication and language and their personal, social and emotional development. Children keenly explore the environment and what is on offer. They make choices and lead their own play. Staff provide teaching moments throughout the day as well as during adult-led activities to help children embed their learning. For instance, children are keen to participate in Black History Month as they learn about similarities and differences. Staff provide resources and media for children to make self-portraits.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well across the nursery. All children are making good levels of progress from their starting points.

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

• Leaders and managers are passionate about fulfilling their roles. They strive to provide every child with the best possible early education experience. The nursery curriculum is well designed and sequenced, focusing on preparing children to gain the knowledge and skills to become ready for the next stage in their learning. Staff share this vision. They plan and provide activities that support children to make progress in their learning.
• Staff provide good support to children with SEND. They are attentive to their needs and consistent with their approaches. Leaders work alongside other professionals involved in children's care to ensure continuity and children's ongoing progress. The nursery uses additional funding well to benefit the specific needs of individual children and support them in accessing the curriculum.
• Children thoroughly enjoy the opportunities they have to explore their physical development in the newly refurbished garden. They take safe risks as they climb up and sit on the caterpillar structure. Younger children show determination and keep on trying to succeed as they climb steps to the slide or climb onto the bouncers, supported and encouraged by staff. Children show great pride as they achieve what they have set out to do.
• Generally, staff's teaching across the setting is good. Children develop good language skills as they enjoy looking at and listening to stories. Younger children hear language and new words to enhance their skills. Older children hold back- and-forth conversations with staff, eagerly sharing what they know. However, staff do not use questions effectively to challenge older children's thinking skills and give opportunities for children to share their thoughts and ideas.
• The staff team ensures that children's health is promoted, providing nutritious food and snack options. Children's individual health requirements are met well. Staff implement good hygiene routines to help limit the spread of germs, and they teach children about making healthy food choices.
• Staff report that they receive high levels of support in their role. They feel that leaders and managers are always approachable. Leaders and managers regularly observe staff's teaching and practice. They provide constructive feedback and training opportunities to help staff continually develop their teaching skills. Staff say they feel very well supported.
• Partnerships with parents are good. Parents speak highly about the care, support and education their children receive. They say that the nursery has a 'welcoming and nurturing feel'. Communication is very good, and the nursery shares activities that parents can carry on with at home to support their children's learning.
• The management team is highly reflective and takes steps to continuously improve the quality of care. Staff receive clear guidance and training for their role, including at times when new initiatives are being introduced.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen teaching to target and extend children's developing thinking skills through effective questions.