Busy Bees Day Nursery at Eastbourne

Inclusion: Strong standard

Leaders are very attuned to the needs of the local community and the issues that may place some children at a disadvantage. There is a clear and highly successful focus on identifying precisely how to support individual children and their families. This is achieved through extremely effective communication and ongoing observation and assessment. Leaders and staff provide very practical help for families, as well as emotional support, which ultimately promotes children's achievement and wellbeing. For example, leaders have created a well-used 'drop and swap' scheme for parents to donate and take items such as clothing and toys.

The provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is very skilfully coordinated. Staff work in partnership with parents and other relevant professionals to provide children with the individualised support they need. The carefully sequenced support that staff provide results in children with SEND achieving beyond the expectations of parents and other professionals. Staff in each room sensitively adapt activities so that all children can take part. They understand the subtle indicators that individual children may benefit from intervention and are alert to these as children play and join in group activities.

Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard

Leaders have created a clear and ambitious curriculum that is understood and implemented well in all rooms. Leaders provide staff with a structure that supports them to plan and adapt activities to precisely reflect the interests and learning needs of all children taking part. Leaders and staff fully recognise the importance of providing children with time and opportunities to consolidate their learning and embed new skills.

Staff are confident, effective teachers. They consistently recognise when to stand back and allow children to learn through discovery, and when to step in to build on children's interests to extend their learning. At any one time, children are engrossed in a vast variety of activities and games, indoors and out. While some engage in games with rules with staff, others look at books, build with construction bricks or use their imaginations as they enjoy role-play games.

Adult-led activities throughout the nursery very successfully capture children's interests. For example, older children listen intently to activities aimed at teaching them about famous artists, including painters and musicians. Staff ignite children's fascination as they encourage them to consider the colour palettes and individual styles of different artists such as Lowry. Children confidently use the resources, including models of buildings and pictures of stick men, as inspiration as they create their own unique artwork.

Achievement: Strong standard

All children progress extremely well in their learning and development. The achievements of those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, or other barriers to their learning, are particularly noteworthy.

The youngest children very confidently explore their environment, honing their physical coordination as they become increasingly mobile. They understand and practise clear and simple vocabulary and love to look at familiar books with staff. Older children speak confidently and expressively. They use their broad language skills to engage in animated conversations and to share their opinions.

The oldest children demonstrate mature social skills and are enthusiastic, independent learners. They use knowledge and skills that they have gained over time to engage in elaborate games with their friends and to join in with adult-led activities. By the time children are preparing to move on in their education, they have the confidence, emotional resilience, practical skills and knowledge they need.

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Strong standard

The day flows seamlessly for all children as staff sensitively organise routines to minimise disruption and to promote their wellbeing. Babies' individual care needs, such as sleep and mealtimes, are fully understood and respected. Leaders and staff also ensure that routines are appropriate and inclusive for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Staff provide clear and consistent guidance that successfully supports children to understand how to behave. The atmosphere within the nursery is extremely friendly and harmonious. Staff are consistently warm and caring in their interactions. Children form positive bonds with staff and develop meaningful friendships.

Throughout the nursery, children of all ages develop very positive attitudes to learning. In addition to a broad range of interesting adult-led activities, children learn through exploration and discovery. For example, children become excited as they mix paints together and create different colours.

Leaders have effective arrangements to monitor children's attendance and follow up promptly if children do not arrive for scheduled sessions. They go to great lengths to support families and provide consistency, helping to ensure that children benefit from the full curriculum.

Children's welfare and wellbeing: Strong standard

Leaders use their comprehensive knowledge of each child to prioritise their emotional and physical wellbeing. This is particularly effective for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or other barriers to their learning. Staff monitor the nursery to ensure that the learning environment is safe, making adaptations when necessary. For example, changes to the layout of the outdoor space have given children greater freedom to play independently while constantly within sight and hearing of staff.

Staff follow safe sleep practices, ensuring that children have cots or mattress appropriate for their ages. Children are supervised closely and staff ensure that they are able to sleep for as long as they want or need.

Leaders and staff promote children's health extremely well. Children spend a great deal of time outdoors, where they benefit from fresh air and plenty of opportunities to relax. Staff also ensure that children regularly engage in active play each day, indoors and outside. Snacks and meals are prepared on site, and these are healthy and appetising. The menu reflects the varied dietary needs of children. There are robust systems to ensure that children do not eat anything that is not suitable for them.

Leadership and governance: Strong standard

Leaders in the nursery work closely with key staff from the wider organisation to constantly evaluate and improve the quality of the provision. For example, they are implementing plans to place a greater focus on outdoor learning to broaden the experiences available to children.

Leaders appreciate and nurture staff, recognising their expertise and providing mentoring and training to continually enhance their skills and knowledge. Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings where they share their ideas, raise any concerns and identify training they would like to attend. Staff are highly motivated and positive. The excellent teamwork and communication results in efficient and highly effective working practices.

Partnership working with the local community and the families of children that attend is a key strength. Initiatives, such as collecting for food banks, support local residents while also encouraging children to develop positive attitudes to helping others. Space is set aside in the nursery to act as a 'community hub'. Parents have space to sit and talk, or to benefit from the vast array of useful written information and displays. Parents praise the kindness of leaders and staff and appreciate the effective communication. They feel well informed about the day-to-day life of the nursery as well as their child's progress and future learning goals. Feedback from parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or who face other barriers to learning is incredibly positive.