Buttercups at Syon Park

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children receive a warm welcome from nurturing staff. They are eager to begin their learning. Staff and families build strong relationships, which underpin the nursery's approach to working in partnership with families. Leaders plan an extensive curriculum for all children. Staff have very high expectations for what children can achieve.

Throughout the nursery, children are active learners and engaged in a variety of interesting activities. Staff encourage children to develop their physical skills and manage their own risks. For instance, children enjoy using knives to cut real fruit in the role-play area. Older children delight in exploring the forest-school area. They excitedly find snails, and staff follow children's interests to create meaningful conversations. This helps to build children's understanding of the world around them.

Children's behaviour is excellent. They feel safe and are supported by staff to learn the importance of being kind, sharing and taking turns. Children know that staff are there to help them if they feel sad or have any worries. Any unwanted behaviour between children is dealt with in a calm and sensitive manner. Staff ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, thrive and succeed. Parents and carers rightly have very positive views about this exceptional nursery.

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

• The curriculum is focused on providing children with meaningful learning opportunities. Staff strive to provide children with real-life learning experiences. Children actively enjoy learning about animals, such as through hatching chicks and watching tadpoles.
• Throughout the nursery, staff understand what to teach children to prepare them for their next stage of learning. They carefully plan children's next steps in development and use routines as opportunities for children to succeed. For example, babies use two spoons to feed themselves in preparation for using a knife and fork.
• Staff strongly promote children's communication skills, such as by reading stories together. Children's language development is very well supported. For example, they explore a cookbook while engaging in a sensory play. Children peel carrots and cut pasta as staff extend their knowledge of vocabulary. Consequently, children develop a love of reading.
• Children are successful in learning how to do things for themselves. Staff ensure that children understand and appreciate the importance of issues such as healthy eating and taking care of their body. Children serve their own food during mealtimes and remind each other of the importance of 'keeping hydrated' as they pour their own water.
• Staff present physical challenges to all children to promote their large-muscle skills and encourage them to take risks. The outdoor provision is a unique opportunity for children of all ages to engage in imaginative and physical play. Younger children have a secure area to develop their confidence as they learn how to use push toys. Older children are actively engrossed in the opportunities for learning outdoors. They enjoy placing dinosaurs in mud, and excitedly run over to wash them in a water tray.
• Staff plan the curriculum so that children have access to a range of fulfilling opportunities that support their knowledge and understanding of the world. For example, children visit local sites, such as the garden centre and parks.
• Parents enthusiastically talk about the nursery, especially about staff. They say that staff consistently go above and beyond to meet the individual needs of their children and to support them in parenting. Parents feel valued and enjoy being part of the nursery through a range of experiences, such as stay-and-play sessions.
• Leaders are knowledgeable about early education and enthusiastically share their knowledge with staff. They provide training and guidance to ensure that all staff have the opportunity to enhance their skills. Staff speak highly of leaders and say that they feel valued and proud to work at the nursery.
• Leaders strive for improvement and actively reflect on their practice to ensure that the best outcomes for the children are achieved. For instance, recently, they introduced an outdoor toilet to the forest area to ensure that children can develop their independence outdoors. Staff are active in sharing their knowledge and skills with other professionals.