Coniston Childcare Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff help children to gain the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in life at the small and friendly nursery. Children are well prepared for the next stage of their education, and they learn to become thoughtful members of their community. Staff plan an engaging curriculum which covers all areas of learning well, with a focus on learning outdoors and the local area. For instance, staff and children chat excitedly about their experiences during a recent outing to a local agricultural show. Children make good progress in all areas of their learning and development.

Staff's interactions with children are supportive and thoughtful. Staff show genuine interest in children's hobbies and families. They share in babies' delight as they master their new skills of standing and taking their first steps. Children develop positive self-esteem and grow in confidence. Staff are good role models for children. They are clear about their expectations and model positive attitudes towards life and learning. Children are interested in their play and are engaged in their learning. They behave well with staff nearby to help them to manage routine frustrations. Older and younger children play and learn together and become aware of the needs of their friends of different ages.

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

• Staff promote children's language skills well. Staff read to children and have interesting discussions. Children share their knowledge about animals, for example, demonstrating new vocabulary and facts. Staff support children well, identifying gaps and using specific strategies where children require more support to catch up. Children develop confidence and competence in their communications.
• Staff promote children's physical development very well. Babies and young children enjoy exploring the slopes in the outdoor area. Children competently ride balance bicycles and navigate uneven terrain with ease. Regular walks around the local hills help children to develop their large muscles and their stamina. Children learn to love the outdoors and being physically active.
• Staff know children well. They plan interesting activities that children enjoy, and their monitoring and assessment of children's progress is effective. While staff understand how to build on what children already know and can do, the focus on what they need to learn next is not always consistent. This means that children's learning is, on occasion, incidental rather than planned.
• Staff support children to become independent and responsible. They carry out tasks for themselves such as washing their yoghurt pot ready to recycle. Staff focus on children's independence skills and support children to manage their own self-care needs from a young age. Consequently, most children are toilet trained early on. Children's personal skills are well promoted.
• Children learn about personal safety and how to manage their own good health. They learn about road and water safety and how to assess and manage risk in a variety of environments. Children eat nutritious food at nursery and learn about how physical activity contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Staff teach children age-appropriate messages about how to use technology safely. Children develop healthy habits for life.
• Staff report feeling well supported by the manager and morale is high. Staff enjoy their roles and complete additional qualifications and training to enhance their knowledge and teaching skills. Leaders are reflective, regularly seeking the views of staff and parents. Leaders are committed to providing the best possible experience for children.
• Partnership working with parents is strong. Staff keep parents informed about their children's learning and encourage them to extend this further at home. For instance, staff share a song of the week for parents to sing with children at home. This helps parents to feel included and involved in their children's learning.
• Staff work closely with professionals at the school on whose site the nursery operates. Children take part in weekly sessions in the forest area alongside older children attending the school. They get to know staff at the school and become familiar with the environment and routines. This supports smooth transitions for children moving on to school and consistency of their care and learning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen the focus on what children need to learn next to help promote their learning consistently well through all activities.