Comberton Children's Centre Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy to attend this safe and secure nursery. The key-person approach is firmly embedded to help children to settle in quickly. Children are eager to explore all areas of the well-organised learning environment. They show sustained levels of concentration and engagement in their chosen activities. Children are confident and independent learners. They are well behaved and have good relationships with staff.

Children enjoy a wide range of toys, resources and activities that support their learning and development. For example, pre-school children practise mark making and talk enthusiastically about what they are writing. Toddlers giggle with delight as they play with sea creatures in the water tray. Babies are encouraged to sing nursery rhymes while they bang metal pots with wooden spoons in time to the beat.

Staff have high expectations for all children and know them well. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their families are well supported. Well-trained and qualified staff are quick to identify children's emerging needs and make swift referrals for support. This helps children to actively participate in all aspects of the curriculum. Consequently, all children make good progress in all areas of learning.

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

• Leaders and staff promote diversity and equality at this vibrant and inclusive nursery. Children learn about different cultures and several festivals. They sing various songs in different languages and read stories about people from all over the world. For example, during Black History Month, children, parents and staff sample a variety of cuisines from different countries. Consequently, children learn about what makes them unique and this helps them to develop respect for others. Overall, this helps to prepare children for life in modern Britain.
• Children have daily opportunities to enjoy fresh air and practise their physical skills. They are encouraged to wash their hands after outdoor play and before meals. Children are provided with nutritious and well-balanced meals. However, staff do not consistently use opportunities to raise children's understanding of making healthy choices and the effect that food has on their bodies.
• Staff support children's communication and language skills effectively. They introduce new words to children through conversations, stories, nursery rhymes and songs. Staff interact with children well as they join their play. For instance, staff help babies to develop eye contact through games such as peekaboo.
• Partnership with parents is very strong. Parents are very complimentary of the care and education which their children receive in the warm and nurturing environment. Leaders and staff run regular workshops for parents that offer support and guidance. Parents feel included and extremely valued at this nursery.
• Children are supported very well in their behaviour and personal development. They are helped by staff to learn about their emotions. As a result, pre-school children talk about how they feel. Staff support children to understand that these emotions are normal. For example, children are inspired by the story of 'The Colour Monster' to learn more about their feelings and how to express them.
• Staff use information from observations and assessments to plan various adult-led activities. Their teaching is good. However, sometimes, staff's teaching does not fully take account of the individual learning needs and abilities of the children taking part in these activities. For example, an activity lasts for too long and children become restless and less focused.
• Leaders are ambitious and passionate about providing high-quality care and education. They use training and supervision sessions to further support staff in developing their skills and knowledge. Staff work together to plan a stimulating and exciting educational programme that helps children to progress in their learning. As a result, children are well prepared for future learning, including being ready for school.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• raise children's understanding of healthy choices and the effect that food has on the body
• enhance the planning of activities to meet individual children's needs and abilities to raise teaching to the highest level.