Christopher Robin Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this environment and develop strong bonds with the staff who care for them. Staff actively promote a nurturing and engaging environment by meticulously planning activities based on children's interests and developmental stages. They observe and assess children's progress regularly to tailor the curriculum, ensuring each child is supported to reach their full potential. Staff introduce new and exciting resources to keep children motivated and curious, encouraging exploration and creativity.

Children work collaboratively and become engrossed in their imaginative play. For instance, in the mud kitchen, they follow recipe cards to create their own culinary masterpieces. The extensive and well-integrated curriculum seamlessly extends into the outdoor area, accommodating children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language. Children's behaviour is impeccable. They are sociable, confident and forge strong friendships with their peers. The provision of ample outdoor play opportunities in the spacious garden enhances their physical skills. For example, children confidently ride bikes and navigate the area with ease and safety.

Staff actively engage with children to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met. They cultivate an environment where children feel secure and valued, encouraging them to express themselves and participate in decision-making. Through tailored activities and thoughtful interactions, staff help children develop essential life skills, fostering their growth in both confidence and social competence.

Staff cultivate a community atmosphere within the nursery by organizing group activities that enhance teamwork and social skills. They celebrate cultural diversity by educating children about, and fostering appreciation for, various traditions and backgrounds, such as by learning about different festivals. This inclusive approach promotes empathy and respect among the children, thereby creating a harmonious and supportive learning environment.

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

• The nursery supports child-led learning by using teaching strategies that involve hands-on exploration. Staff provide open-ended activities and organise learning areas that promote creativity and independence. For example, staff guide children in making their own play dough by mixing flour and water and kneading it into a dough.
• Staff meticulously cater to children's individual needs, including those with allergies or specific cultural requirements, for example by monitoring them with a colour-coded card system. The nursery celebrates diverse cultural backgrounds, enriching children's understanding of various foods and traditions, and fostering an inclusive environment. For example, children have a special meal of fried noodles for Chinese New Year.
• The nursery excels in preparing children for school readiness, such as by addressing challenges like excessive screen time through thoughtfully crafted activities. For instance, children are encouraged to develop fine motor skills and early writing abilities by practising with tools such as pens and pencils to write their names and form simple words. Furthermore, staff foster listening skills and vocabulary expansion, for example by reading stories aloud and encouraging children to retell them.
• Through collaborative projects such as building pirate ships, staff support children to develop physical, mathematical, logical and problem-solving skills. For example, children work together to design and decorate the ship using cardboard boxes, paint and other craft materials. They assign roles such as 'captain' and 'crew' and collaborate on creating sails and steering mechanisms. Staff successfully use this hands-on activity to encourage teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking as they help children solve challenges such as stabilising the masts or ensuring the ship's structure is sturdy.
• Parents receive regular updates, daily feedback and scheduled evaluations to stay informed and involved in their child's progress. Their level of satisfaction with the care and education is recorded through feedback in questionnaires. New children are progressively integrated into the routine to ensure a smooth transition.
• Staff continually expand their expertise through various professional development activities, including workshops, training programmes and peer-to-peer learning sessions. For instance, the nursery organizes seminars on early childhood education techniques, ensuring that staff remain informed about the latest research and good practices.
• Children are extremely well supported to develop important independence skills and learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, during snack time, staff ask children to choose and serve themselves a snack of their choice. Children learn how to hold a knife safely under supervision while they butter their cracker.
• Staff tailor interactions to meet children's individual needs, encouraging critical thinking and self-expression. For example, when asking children about the effects of adding water to soil, they promote independence in discovering the answer. Children enjoy exploring and discussing the changes enthusiastically.
• Children behave exceptionally well, playing harmoniously and understanding the importance of sharing and taking turns. Staff consistently reinforce behaviour expectations and explain their reasons. For example, children know to run only outdoors to ensure safety.