CCN Sington Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children settle well into this caring nursery. The kind staff welcome them enthusiastically and they happily set off to play with their friends. Staff get to know children and their families well and this helps staff to understand children's individual needs and preferences. Leaders support new children by offering various settling-in sessions, giving them time to adapt to the nursery environment and to help them to feel safe.

Staff are good role models. They help children to behave well and follow the rules and routines in the nursery independently from a young age. For instance, when the tidy-up bell rings, they stop their play and help put the toys away while singing the tidy-up song. Staff create opportunities for children to feel proud of their achievements. Children delight in being the helper of the day and carrying out their 'jobs'. Staff support children to be confident to make their own choices about what they want to play with next.

Staff plan a well-defined curriculum that provides a good balance of experiences across all areas of learning. It meets the needs and interests of the children who currently attend. There is a strong focus on language development in the nursery. Staff and children read stories together, which helps develop their early literacy skills. Staff encourage children to be keen and motivated to engage in their learning.

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

• Staff promote children to lead a healthy lifestyle. Children are given many opportunities to learn about what food is nutritious for their bodies and what their body needs to grow strong. Children talk about this among themselves as they play in the role-play area. They tell each other the 'good' food they have had for breakfast and pretend to serve it to their friends. Staff understand the importance of daily physical activities and plan trips to the park or local school playground. This supports children's healthy development.
• Overall, staff are skilled at extending children's vocabulary and conversation skills. Children and staff talk to each other as they play and learn. Staff have high expectations for children's language development, no matter what their starting points are. Children who speak English as an additional language also make very good progress at this nursery and are confident speakers.
• Staff support children well to gain confidence in their toilet training. They know the children well and meet their care needs efficiently. Parents appreciate the positive approach that the staff take to guide them through this important stage with their child.
• Staff demonstrate a good range of teaching skills as they interact with the children. For instance, they give clear explanations, demonstrate how to use resources, and ask children plenty of questions. Children confidently answer questions and respectfully take turns in the conversation. However, staff do not always challenge children's critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Staff skilfully incorporate mathematics through everyday experiences. As children pour water into containers, staff introduce language, such as 'full' and 'empty'. Young children are encouraged to count the number of hearts they have painted. Children learn how to use mathematics purposefully. For example, they discuss how many plates they will need to set the table. Staff support children to develop a good grounding in early mathematics.
• Children behave well and are polite and kind to their friends. Staff teach children to show care and concern for each other, for example when a child falls over they stop what they are doing and run over to them to ask if they are alright.
• Parents and carers are very happy with the nursery. They comment that the staff are 'incredible' and they are confident that their children are well cared for. They feel included in their children's journey through nursery. They appreciate the regular feedback they receive about their child's day and their ongoing progress.
• Staff feel valued and appreciated by leaders and managers. Staff participate in mandatory training which supports their knowledge and skills. They take great pride in their job and enjoy helping young children grow and develop. They work well together as a team and this creates a warm and comfortable environment for children to learn in.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• develop staff's understanding of how to support children's critical thinking skills, to further enhance the good quality of learning experiences.