Casson Fold Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children separate from their parents happily and are greeted by warm and welcoming staff. They settle swiftly because staff know them well and provide the encouragement that children need to thrive. There is a keen focus on supporting children's personal, social and emotional development throughout the curriculum. Children form positive attachments with key persons, which supports them to feel safe and secure.

Children benefit from a range of experiences that develop their independence and self-care skills. This encourages children's enthusiasm for learning and supports their self-esteem. For example, the children in the pre-school room take great pride when they find their own names, stating the initial letter sound that their name begins with. Children are being well supported to develop skills to help them in their future learning and at school. Children behave well. Staff help them to understand what is expected of them and act as positive role models. They demonstrate manners, how to be considerate of others and the importance of sharing and turn taking. Puppets are also used at circle time to promote listening and attention skills. This to helps support children to understand the behaviours that are expected of them during different times of the nursery routine.

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

• The curriculum is planned and organised well, and staff use children's interests to plan activities for a range of learning outcomes. For example, children who are interested in playing with blocks and bricks are encouraged to fill the buckets on a set of scales. The member of staff introduces mathematical language sensitively, such as 'empty', 'full', 'heavy' and 'heaviest.' She offers extra challenge by asking children to 'find two orange bricks' or 'three blue bricks.' This helps children to maintain their interest and engagement and develop their counting skills.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) is experienced and knowledgeable. She works closely with parents, staff and other professionals to provide children with all the support they need. This helps children to make the best possible progress they can.
• Children have daily access to the outside environment, to support their physical development and well-being. However, the outdoor curriculum for younger children provides fewer physical development opportunities and experiences to encounter the natural world.
• All staff understand the importance of encouraging children to develop a love of stories, songs and rhymes. For example, children join in with the repeated lines of a rap song from the traditional tale 'The Three Little Pigs'. Babies enjoy naming familiar body parts and sing the song 'Head, shoulders, knees and toes.' This helps children to explore a range of new words and begin to understand rhythm and rhyme.
• The relatively new management team has an accurate self-evaluation of the strengths and areas for development of the nursery. The team is developing action plans to help everyone strive for continued improvement. They have prioritised professional development reviews for all staff, new and old. Increased access to regular training and role-specific courses are already having a positive effect on children's outcomes.
• Staff suitably promote healthy practices. They carefully consider children's special dietary needs, preferences and allergies. Staff provide children with nutritious meals and snacks, and they teach children to wash their hands before eating. Staff encourage children to carry out activities for themselves, such as serving their own food at lunchtime. Children develop positive attitudes to being healthy.
• Parents speak highly of the setting and are particularly happy with the support they receive. Parents report that there is a strong community feel in the nursery. They appreciate the extra lengths staff go to, including the effective two-way communication using an electronic app. This helps staff to provide consistent care for all children, taking into account individual family circumstances.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• improve the curriculum for younger children, to develop their physical skills and to explore the natural world outdoors.