Busy Bees Day Nursery at Mardley Hill

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive eager and motivated for the day. They start to explore the 'table of interest' as nurturing staff greet them. Babies practise their growing physical skills as they explore the calm, inviting space. Children demonstrate excellent independence skills and confidence. They play in the woodland area of the garden, discover bugs and enjoy a parachute game with staff. Children are focused and engaged in the activities they choose, and those led by staff. They receive consistent support from staff that helps to engage them in thought-provoking conversations. For instance, when older children play with the toy cars, the staff ask what the transport of the future might be. This ignites their curiosity and imagination, as children enthuse about flying cars. Younger children enjoy reading a book about a caterpillar. Staff explain the difference between the chrysalis, as the life form, and the cocoon, as the home around the caterpillar.

The entire staff team has the highest expectations for all children. They ensure that no child is left behind. This is particularly significant for children with additional needs and/or disabilities. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, interact with each other with kindness and are sensitive to each other's needs. For example, children recognise when their friends look upset.

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

• The inspirational centre director and staff are highly skilled and dedicated to providing high-quality teaching and learning experiences for all children. The centre director knows the children, families and her team exceptionally well. Staff say that the nursery is a wonderful place to work, where children come first. The staff benefit from excellent training opportunities that help to develop their expert skills and qualifications even further. Staff have used recent training to help them identify any children with speech delay and plan effectively to support them.
• Children consistently show happiness and engagement through their play and experiences. They are enthusiastic learners who are keen to join in with everything. For example, children demonstrate excellent early writing skills as they draw pictures to represent the quantity displayed on a number line. Some children easily count beyond 10 and staff extend this further, such as by introducing simple mathematical problems to solve.
• All staff use what they know children can do already to support how they plan for what they need to learn next. Staff expertly and consistently extend children's learning, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff nurture the skills children need to be ready for the next stage in their learning. For instance, babies learn to feed themselves at mealtimes, while older children serve their own food and drinks.
• Children demonstrate excellent language skills. Staff consistently model exceptional speaking skills and encourage children to listen carefully. They provide opportunities for children to learn new words. Babies show good levels of concentration as they copy actions as staff sing nursery rhymes. Older children's language is extended at every opportunity. For instance, when children play with the magnetic trains, staff introduce words such as 'north and south pole', 'attract and repel'. Children learn when they place the north pole of one magnet near the south pole of another magnet they stick together, but the same poles will not.
• Children have an exceptional understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy. Toddlers talk clearly about the importance of washing their hands because of hidden germs. During lunch, children discuss the ingredients in their cooked food and how this gives them energy for later. They know that drinking plenty of water helps to keep them hydrated.
• Staff teach children to make decisions, express their views and to be kind to each other. Babies and young children turn to staff to support them when they face challenges. Staff skilfully give them strategies they need to work together and to form successful friendships. For instance, when a child complains her friend is not sharing, staff encourage children to think of a solution. Together, children decide to divide the box of cars into two groups, so everyone can play.
• Parents cannot praise the nursery highly enough. They state that they receive regular and precise communication from staff. Parents say that they know what their children are doing every day and know how they can specifically enhance their child's learning at home.