Cliffe House Nursery school

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children's happiness and thirst for knowledge are apparent in this wonderful nursery. Staff are excellent role models, who constantly strive for the best outcomes for children. They are meticulous in the ways they meet children's care and learning needs. Children enjoy a curriculum that is innovative and incredibly well adapted for their particular interests. The environments are exciting and provide rich learning opportunities. Children are totally engrossed as they confidently explore the excellent range of resources. Staff skilfully support and enhance children's learning through their consistently high-quality teaching and interactions.

Staff meet children's emotional needs exceptionally. New children quickly settle into the nursery routines and make strong bonds with their key person. Staff know the children really well and are very tuned into their emotions. Children show much awareness of the needs of others. For example, when there are loud noises outside the nursery, children ask staff if the noises will wake the babies up. Children invite others to join in with their projects, such as using blocks to build a special structure. When children are struggling to manage their feelings, staff skilfully support them. Children develop a clear understanding of the importance of being kind and respectful to others. Staff speak about children with much affection and are incredibly proud of their 'nursery family'.

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

• Nursery leaders are relentless in maintaining the highest levels of care and education for children. They fully support the dedicated and well-qualified team, who promote an ethos of excellence in everything they do. Staff access high-quality professional development opportunities and are supported through regular supervision meetings. The whole team continually reflects on ways to improve outcomes for children.
• Nursery leaders place a high priority on children learning how they can support their community. For example, children participate in events at a local care home and the church. They get involved in charity efforts that benefit members of the local community.
• Parent partnerships are a strength of the nursery. Nursery leaders fully involve parents from the very beginning. They highly value the information that parents share about children's care and learning needs. Parents highly praise the staff team. They comment that 'Cliffe House goes the extra mile every single day.'
• Staff ensure children achieve their curriculum goals. They closely monitor children's progress and take swift action to close any gaps in children's learning. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get exceptional levels of support. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to identify the most effective curriculum goals for children. Any additional funding for children is completely targeted to meet their specific learning needs.
• Staff plan times to help children understand the different cultural backgrounds of families. They invite people into the nursery to share their special traditions with children, such as their celebratory food and clothing. Children are beginning to appreciate the rich diversity of the modern world.
• Children's communication and language skills are incredible. Babies eagerly participate in the daily singing sessions that engage everyone in the room. They show much joy as they move to the rhythm of the songs. Older children confidently use new vocabulary they have learned. For example, they tell staff they will get cavities if they do not brush their teeth. Staff promote children's language skills very successfully.
• Children have many opportunities to learn about the natural world. For example, after learning facts about hedgehogs, they create their own models, using dough and natural materials. Children recall the distinct features of hedgehogs, such as the spines. They spend time looking for the frogs that have returned to the nursery pond and are delighted to find one resting on a leaf.
• Babies and older children spend time playing together in the wonderful outdoor area. They are very inquisitive as staff help them explore unfamiliar rooms in the nursery. These times really help children to successfully manage transitions, for example, as they prepare to change rooms. On moving, staff ensure children's learning and care needs continue to be fully met through robust information sharing and the excellent, well-sequenced curriculum.