Buttons and Bows Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children benefit from a clear and focused curriculum at the nursery. Leaders have high expectations for children to build their resilience and become expressive communicators. Staff create a calm, enabling environment, are attentive to children and implement well-thought-out opportunities based on children's interests. For example, children shine torches on the ceiling as they explore their curiosity about how shadows are formed.

Staff provide rich learning experiences through high-quality teaching. Weekly forest school sessions allow children to experience nature. For those who are unable to attend, staff bring inspiring and exceptional learning to the nursery. For example, children hold African land snails. Children demonstrate their awe and wonder as they say, 'She's got an actual snail, real ones'.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive exemplary support tailored to their needs. Those with responsibility for children with SEND provide home visits and build firm, supportive foundations with families. As a result, all children thrive. Staff are dedicated to bridging the gaps for children and work really hard to reduce any differences to ensure that every child who attends the nursery has an excellent early years experience.

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

• Staff's support to develop children's listening and attention is excellent. Adult-led activities create anticipation, hold engagement and fill children with amazement. Children comment 'wow' as they explore the colours of fibre optic wands.
• Children are encouraged to develop a love of early reading. A book of the week promotes familiarity for children, and staff support even the youngest children to turn the pages independently as they quietly share a book together.
• Staff promote good hygiene for children. They wash their hands when they come in from outside ready for snack and learn how to look after their oral health as they take part in teeth cleaning sessions.
• Children's independence is a strength. Children cut up their own food where they can, clear away their plate after lunch, put on their own shoes and do up the buttons on their coat. Staff are quick to offer praise and congratulate children on their achievements. As a result, children have a strong sense of self belief in their own abilities.
• Children have a wealth of opportunities to explore mathematics. They pour and measure water, compare 'big' and 'small' and fuel their imagination as they hammer shapes into cork boards to create pictures. They proudly tell others, 'I made a helicopter.'
• Children's behaviour is excellent. Staff are fantastic role models. They support children to take turns, share and say 'please' and 'thank you'. For example, during group work, children sit patiently waiting their turn and listen to others when the turn belongs to them.
• Children feel safe. They form strong, secure attachments to staff. For example, children say 'hiya' and welcome adults into their play.
• Staff deliver an incredibly nurturing environment. Children are quick to go to adults for comfort, and adults are quick to receive them with a calm, quiet voice and a hug.
• The home corner provides a familiar learning space where children can draw on their own experiences in their play. They welcome others into their kitchen as they cook, mix and serve food to the adults who skilfully play alongside them, extending their vocabulary and thinking skills as they encourage children to check, for example, if the soup is too hot.
• Parents hold the nursery in high regard. They comment that their children 'can't wait to come', are 'always happy when they are collected' and 'love showing off what they have learned'. Parents know who their child's key person is, and leaders use different avenues to ensure that parents are well informed about their child's development. They hold parents' evenings to ensure that every parent has the opportunity to develop their understanding of what their child is learning and their next steps.
• Leaders understand the importance of staff well-being and support with professional development days. As a result, staff feel valued and enjoy being part of the nursery.