Cherry Tree Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children enter this warm and welcoming nursery with a smile. They happily explore their surroundings and quickly choose their favourite toys. Children play imaginatively in the role-play kitchen. They make cakes, stirring the 'mixture' in a bowl and then placing it into the pretend oven, exclaiming, 'it's done!' They dress dolls and carefully place them into pushchairs, pushing them across the room. Children develop their communication skills as they join together to enthusiastically sing songs that are familiar to them. Children develop their core strength as they participate in yoga. They stretch their bodies and balance on one leg, putting their hands out to the side to steady themselves.

Younger children explore sensory play as they delve into shaving foam. They use their small-muscle skills to use a variety of small tools and toy vehicles, rolling them across the tray. Children develop their large-muscle skills as they climb and balance before propelling themselves down the slide. They push wheeled toys along and explore hoops as they roll and throw them across the garden. Younger children begin to build vocabulary as they listen to familiar music. They copy actions and smile as they clap to the music, joining in with the singing.

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

• Staff sequence the curriculum for all children effectively. They understand what children know and can do and then provide activities to help them build a range of skills. For example, younger children with developing language are given support to build a wider vocabulary. Children explore the frosty fencing outdoors. They touch the frost and are supported to learn new words, such as 'icy' and 'cold', as they explore.
• Partnerships with parents are robust. Parents feel that the communication between themselves and the nursery about what their children are learning is good. They comment that they feel the staff nurture their children, and the nursery is fun and homely.
• Children are given a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities, both inside and outside. However, staff do not always support children's emerging choices, for example, children are chosen in groups by staff to play outdoors instead of choosing for themselves. Occasionally, older children's behaviour is adversely affected by not being given enough choice during daily activities.
• Staff support children's curiosity as they discover ice in the garden. They help children to examine the ice and discuss why some toys outdoors have frozen. However, quieter children can sometimes get overlooked and are not always included in activities. This prevents quieter children from sharing their views and answering questions.
• Children with additional needs have positive learning outcomes. There are systems in place to ensure swift support, helping the children to succeed and thrive. Key persons get to know the children and their families well. This helps to ensure children make the best possible progress.
• Staff weave supporting healthy lifestyles into play. For example, during imaginative play where children pretend to make chocolate cake, staff say, 'I've eaten too much cake. I think I'd like some fruit now.' Staff encourage children to drink water after exercise and explain why this is important to keep children's bodies healthy.
• Children's behaviour is good. They sit together and are kind and respectful to their friends as they take turns listening to what each other has to say. Staff gently remind children about the 'golden rules' they have created when children forget. Staff act as good role models throughout the nursery. Children are gently reminded to use their manners at the dinner table.
• Children begin to develop a good understanding of mathematical concepts. Staff expertly teach mathematics during everyday activities. For example, during imaginative play, staff ask children how many eggs are left in an egg box. Children exploring ice outdoors are asked to compare the weight of frozen items. This supports children's understanding of mathematics well.
• The manager is highly committed and passionate about the nursery. She values her team and provides support for their ongoing professional development. Effective supervision systems are in place to support staff well-being.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to identify quieter children and include them more in group activities
• enhance staff's teaching to follow children's emerging choices, to promote further engagement in their learning.