Camberwell Grove

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and secure. They are extremely keen learners who share their discoveries confidently with visitors to the nursery. Toddlers eagerly show the inspector the snails they find in the nursery garden. Children make good progress across all areas of learning. Their small-motor skills develop quickly and they display deep concentration as they use scissors to cut sticky tape and use it to join pieces of paper. Children understand how to keep themselves safe and show great concern for their friends as they remind each other how to use scissors safely. Children develop a love of books and reading, and enjoy sharing their favourite books. Toddlers understand simple mathematical concepts. They make caterpillars out of dough and identify correctly the longest and shortest. Children use their imaginations as they line up boxes and chairs to make a train. Babies display remarkable perseverance as they repeatedly attempt to thread pipe cleaners through the holes in flowerpots. Staff know when children need support and when to stand back and allow them to try for themselves.

All children get plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing in the large nursery garden every day. Children have many opportunities to learn about nature. They help to grow vegetables in the nursery allotment. Pre-school children are developing their early writing skills, as they make books about the mini-beasts they find.

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

• Children are enthusiastic learners. Staff implement exciting activities based around children's fascinations which capture their interest and imagination. This promotes children's deep concentration. For example, pre-school children are thoroughly engaged as they mix food colouring with oil and foam. They lean in and watch closely as the ingredients mix.
• Children are exceptionally well behaved. Staff have created a calm and harmonious environment where children of all ages show care and concern for each other. Pre-school children develop a keen sense of responsibility as they help in the baby room at lunchtime, making sure babies are safely strapped into their chairs. Babies pass crayons to their friends so that they can all participate in mark-making activities.
• Children display high levels of self-confidence. Staff value their wishes and opinions. For example, practitioners support pre-school children to hold their own planning meetings and record the activities they would like each week. Babies are extremely contented and play happily. They settle quickly and form close relationships with their key persons. Babies quickly grow in confidence as they explore the nursery environment, returning occasionally to their key person for a cuddle and reassurance.
• Parents speak very highly of the nursery. They value the strong sense of community that staff have built around the nursery. Parents regularly receive information about their child's progress and ideas for supporting children's learning at home. Parents report that children's confidence develops quickly when they join nursery.
• Children are confident communicators. Staff support children's language effectively. They are constantly aware of their role in extending children's vocabulary and always have in mind the new words they want to introduce when planning activities. For example, when children combine ingredients for a science activity, staff introduce words such as 'blend' and 'dissolve'.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported. The nursery's SEND coordinator is very knowledgeable and works closely with parents and other professionals to ensure children quickly receive the support they need. She supports staff to plan specialised activities to meet children's individual needs.
• Children enjoy nutritious and balanced meals. The nursery chef shares his passion for healthy eating with parents and children. He meets with parents to discuss children's dietary needs and offers them advice.
• Staff say they feel valued by managers. Regular supervisions and appraisals help to identify their training needs. Staff report that they are encouraged to progress their careers within the company, with some being supported to study at degree level.