Chestnut@Markyate

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive at the nursery very happy, excited and ready to learn. They are familiar with the routines and show high levels of independence. Older children serve their own food and use cutlery confidently, while younger children are supported by staff. Children put their own cutlery and plate away once they finish and then eagerly sit on the carpet to wait for story time. Familiar routines such as this help to provide a settled experience, in which children make good progress. Children explore the stimulating activities, which keeps them engaged and motivated. Staff guide children's learning and development, particularly in meeting their next steps. For example, staff arrange a fruit threading activity to support children to develop their fine motor skills.

Children work cooperatively in small groups, naming the different fruits. Staff reinforce learning through repetition of new vocabulary and language. All children, including those with speech and language delay, improve their communication and language skills. Outside, children are excited and set up a parachute activity with their friends. They work together to move the parachute and keep the ball on the parachute, singing 'Row row row the boat' while doing so. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. They use good manners and encourage children to chant the golden rules during circle time. This helps children to understand what is expected and how to behave, creating a calm, safe and nurturing environment for them to concentrate well and learn in.

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

• Stimulating and engaging learning environments motivate children to participate in activities, which develops their curiosity, knowledge and skills across different areas of the curriculum.
• Leaders and managers have supported staff to teach children healthy habits, such as brushing their teeth and discussing healthy food. Healthy eating is promoted well, and managers ensure they support parents to develop their understanding of the importance of healthy eating. The healthy eating guide and newsletters sent to parents giving information about healthy lunches has improved the quality of the packed lunches children bring to the nursery.
• Leaders and managers work closely with the executive manager to ensure that staff receive the right support by creating a bespoke training package based on their specific areas of development. Staff training is a high priority for leaders and is valued by staff. Staff benefit from the effective coaching and mentoring they receive from leaders, managers and external agencies. Staff worked with a speech and language therapist over an extended period and are experts in developing children's communication and language.
• Partnership with parents is a key strength of the nursery. Staff establish effective and trusting relationships with parents. Noticeboards keep parents well informed about the learning their children are currently engaged in.
• Strong attachments between staff and their key children have been built. Staff know each child's needs well. They communicate with parents to identify any gaps in children's learning and development effectively. Leaders work with the local authority inclusion team and make referrals in a timely manner to provide children with adequate support. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress.
• Children behave well. They learn to share and take turns. Staff inspire them to behave well. For instance, they take all opportunities to positively acknowledge children's achievements. They speak to children in a calm, respectful and caring manner.
• Young children sing number songs with staff support, while older children confidently count ducks in the water tray. However, staff do not always challenge children enough to support them to gain a secure understanding of mathematical concepts throughout their play.
• Staff promote opportunities to develop children's understanding of diversity. Children and parents are invited to celebrate different cultures by dressing up in various cultural attire. They learn about their local community. For instance, children enjoy working with with 'Bow Arts' art project, where they celebrate people with different ethnicities.
• The manager uses additional funding effectively to support individual children. For instance, children benefit from the new books that are added to the nursery's lending library, which enables them to read and share books at home with their parents.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• make better use of opportunities to develop all children's mathematical knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts.