Busy Bees Day Nursery at Braintree Great Notley

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The extremely skilled staff are passionate about creating a nurturing, child-centred environment where all children are supported to flourish. Children are highly motivated and enthusiastic learners. They spend long periods of time engaged in activities, for example, a science experiment, story or potion making activity. Children demonstrate high levels of engagement in the activities that are provided for them and use resources and tools on offer to extend their own learning. The language-rich environment that is created by the staff supports all children to acquire and use language, and they are excellent communicators. Children are confident to express their own ideas, needs and interests, and these are listened to and responded to by the staff.

Children are highly respectful and kind to each other. Staff teach them how to manage their emotions and work together to resolve any conflict that may arise. The children follow the staff's lead to work together, share resources and solve problems to complete tasks. Children demonstrate enjoyment in interacting with the staff. Younger children squeal in delight when popping bubbles in the water tray while older children listen and respond to questions they are asked. They enjoy talking about what they have learned previously, such as reciting a spell from one of their favourite books.

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

• The curriculum intent of the nursery is extremely clear and has been carefully planned, in order to support children to achieve set goals at each stage of their development. This helps the children to build on what they know and supports them to reach the next goal. Staff's high-quality teaching at each stage of a child's development supports them to gain the knowledge and skills that are needed to make exceptional progress in their learning.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are expertly supported to enable them to be fully integrated in the nursery, and they make excellent progress. Staff work in partnership with parents and other professionals to provide children with the targeted, specialised support they need.
• Parents speak extremely highly of the nursery. They say they would recommend the nursery to others and praise the staff team who go above and beyond to care for and educate their children. Parents also praise the effective communication, which helps them to feel part of their children's learning and development. The nursery uses parent surveys to gain the views of the parents. They use this information to reflect on their practice and make any improvements.
• A broad and enriching curriculum gives children a range of opportunities to learn about the world around them. They communicate with children in a nursery in Italy, watch in awe as chicks hatch out of eggs and complete reading challenges for World Book Day. Children are taught about the importance of being healthy and looking after their bodies, and they enjoy taking part in teeth-brushing challenges at home.
• An effective, open-door policy, which has been created by the manager, means that both parents and staff feel they are welcome to discuss any concerns or queries they may have. Staff feel valued and well supported by the management team, which helps them to flourish in their roles.
• Children's voices are truly valued in the nursery. They have lots of opportunities to express themselves and make choices, which results in them being confident communicators. Children are empowered to make individual choices. For example, younger children select from a choice of two books to read, while older children hold meetings to discuss what activities they would like to see in the nursery.
• Staff have an excellent knowledge of their key children. They are able to identify and talk about the children's strengths and any areas of concern. Staff talk at length about how they are supporting them to make excellent progress. They plan and implement fun, stimulating and beneficial activities for the children to support them to make excellent progress in all areas of their development.