Child's Play Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children settle quickly on arrival. They feel happy and secure in the calm and friendly environment. Children make choices about which of the wide range of interesting activities to access. For example, babies explore paint with their hands while older children combine materials, such as paint and glitter, with dough. Children benefit from warm and gentle interactions with staff as they confidently approach them for support and praise, both of which are freely given. Children's behaviour is good. They learn to take turns with equipment and resources. The children develop written behavioural expectations with the staff and display them on the wall as a visual reminder. Children demonstrate excellent manners, and staff act as positive role models.

Children learn about the world around them as staff set challenges for them to complete while in the local community. For instance, they hunt for pine cones in the local woods to create Christmas decorations. In the spring, children are tasked to grow beans in preparation for the village summer fair. Children's love of books is skilfully developed for all age groups. For example, babies snuggle up and are provided with colour-changing discs that link to the colours in the story. Older children bring stories to life as they recreate their favourite characters in their play.

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

• Parents are exceptionally positive about the nursery and staff. They describe them as 'extremely supportive' and 'approachable'. They praise the quality of care their children receive. Parents comment on the strong relationships children build with the staff, describing them as 'part of the family'. They appreciate the regular information staff share about their children's learning and the lengths staff go to in order to meet their individual needs.
• Staff promote children's literacy skills exceptionally well. They regularly read stories and encourage children to participate. They match puppets to the characters in the books. Children become familiar with the language from the 'book of the month'. Staff teach children the correct vocabulary when describing books, such as 'title', 'author', 'blurb' and 'spine'. Children enjoy regular trips to the mobile library where they learn to care for books and choose a selection to borrow. Staff link books with themed activities. This reinforces children's understanding that information can be gained from books.
• Staff ensure communication and language are a strong focus in the nursery. They spend lots of time talking to the children. Staff introduce new words, such as 'anti-clockwise' when describing how to use a glue stick. They sing songs and rhymes to babies as they are being changed and comment on their play. However, at times, staff use too many questions in quick succession and do not give children time to think and respond.
• Staff understand what children know and what they need to learn next. They plan stimulating activities that broaden children's experiences. The local area is used well. Frequent trips are organised to the local woods and other notable local landmarks. For example, children take photographs of animal footprints in the woods to identify on their return to nursery. There is clear learning progression as the children move through the nursery. In the pre-school room, children are well prepared for their transition to school.
• Good health is promoted throughout the nursery. Children spend lots of time outside developing their physical skills. They harvest fruit from the garden and enjoy eating healthy snacks. Effective hygiene routines are in place. For instance, children wash hands before eating and brush their teeth following mealtimes.
• The manager values her experienced staff team. She focuses on their professional development and well-being. Staff report that they feel very well supported. They receive regular supervision meetings to discuss their professional development. The manager provides staff meetings that include a review of the setting's policies and procedures to keep staff updated. Staff are encouraged to share their views about the nursery and share information from recent training to continually improve practice.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff in their interactions with children, allowing children time to share their thoughts and ideas.