Countryways Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children come into the nursery happily and quickly settle to activities. They form strong bonds with the staff team. They show that they feel happy and safe with staff, asking for hugs when they see them. Children behave well and demonstrate very good manners. They ask politely if they want something and say 'please' and 'thank you' without prompting. They gain useful self-care skills and become more independent. Older children use knives and forks competently at lunchtime, and toddlers begin to feed themselves with a spoon. Even the youngest children find their own shoes and coats when they go outside.

Children take part in a varied range of experiences that they enjoy. Younger children are excited to crunch cornflakes with their feet or move their bodies to music. Older children have great fun playing imaginative games on the outdoor equipment. Staff know children well and have high expectations for what they can achieve. Children who need extra support or those with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from well-targeted assistance to help close any gaps. Staff have stayed in close contact with all families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This has helped children return to the nursery confidently after any time away.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to focus more precisely on what they want children to learn from activities, to offer new challenges and help children make the best possible progress
• strengthen the planning of group activities such as story time, to fully engage all children and to provide even better support for their language and communication skills.