Busy Bees Day Nursery at Ashford Godinton

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive happily and confidently. On arrival, they receive a warm welcome from the kind staff who know them very well. Children settle very quickly, meaning they feel secure as a result of the strong relationships with the staff. Children display high levels of respect towards their friends and staff. They listen to one another and have fun as they laugh and make jokes. This creates a positive and joyful atmosphere for children to learn and develop good social skills.

Children are developing their independence from an early age. For example, babies are supported in feeding themselves as they learn how to use a spoon. This prepares them for their next stage in their learning. Older children take pleasure in making decisions about their environment and planning activities. For example, the home corner has been designed into a Hawaiian beach as children learn about how to stay safe in the heat. Children display positive attitudes towards their learning.

Children have the freedom to explore their indoor and outdoor environments. They have access to a large outdoor space which gives them a variety of opportunities to develop their physical skills. Children have fun as they run, climb and ride bikes. This encourages them to engage in daily exercise and develop a healthy lifestyle. Children also enjoy learning about healthy foods. For example, they have planted tomatoes in the garden, and they enjoy the variety of nutritious, well-balanced meals provided at the setting.

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

• Staff have a sound knowledge of children's development and the seven areas of learning. They have very strong bonds with the children, tailoring the curriculum to meet the needs of each individual child. Staff are confident in delivering age-appropriate, stimulating activities. As a result, children display high levels of emotional well-being and make good progress in their learning and development.
• Children enjoy making their own choices during play. Staff always supervise children closely. However, staff sometimes miss opportunities to fully extend children's learning even further, for example by introducing new words and phrases that describe what they are doing.
• Staff implement a consistent routine and have high expectations for children's behaviour. This is shown through children's confidence and willingness to help one another. For example, children are developing their independence and social skills as they help pour drinks for their friends. They also understand the importance of good hygiene practice as they wash their hands before and after meals.
• Staff recognise the importance of communication and language from an early age. Younger children engage in singing rhymes, such as 'Old Macdonald Had a Farm', and learn new signs for animals. Older children enjoy listening to stories and talking about trips they have been on outside of the setting, such as to the beach. However, at times, staff do not use questioning effectively to ensure children's language skills are fully extended.
• Staff teach children about the wider world as they learn about different countries. The setting receives photographs from another provider in Australia. Children talk excitedly about individual characteristics relating to Australia, such as the koalas and kangaroos. This learning experience allows children to deepen their knowledge and understanding.
• Partnerships with parents are very good. Parents speak very highly of the caring and kind staff team. They are happy with the progress their children have made since attending the setting. Staff use an online communication system to inform parents about children's care and development. Parents use this system regularly and say that they appreciate the ideas on how to support learning at home.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported by the knowledgeable staff team. The special educational needs coordinator liaises effectively with staff, parents and other external agencies to ensure children receive the support they need. Due to this support, children with SEND make progress in their development.
• The management team is very strong. The manager is well supported by her senior team, and staff morale is very high. She has extremely high expectations for her staff and strives to enhance their professional development. She uses supervision meetings and observations to identify staff training needs. The manager is highly reflective in her practice and has a passion for making continuous improvements in the setting.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff confidence to extend children's learning during periods of self-chosen play
• use consistent and effective questioning techniques to give children time to think and respond, to further promote their language skills.