Croyland Nursery School And Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Young children make exceptional progress in this wonderfully calm and inviting nursery. Upon arrival, they are greeted by staff who know them incredibly well, helping them to feel safe and secure. Babies and toddlers instantly settle into a well-planned environment that is built around their needs and interests. They develop a love of books from an early age as staff carefully select books that link to the many experiences on offer. This love of books is seen as young children eagerly select books to share with staff and concentrate as they listen to stories.

Babies and toddlers benefit from a curriculum that is well considered and ambitious. Staff use resources in a precise manner to interest and engage children in meaningful learning. For instance, young children experiment with different tools to see which will break the ice and free the animals frozen within. As children explore, staff skilfully identify 'teachable moments'. They constantly introduce new words and additional language to help children add meaning to their experiences. Children show awe and wonder as staff encourage them to observe a robin that lands in the garden. Staff talk to children about the food that birds eat and where they live as children intently watch and listen. Children's behaviour is supported expertly by patient staff who use repetition and routine to ensure that children understand what will happen next. Babies and toddlers excitedly sit on the mat when staff introduce activities, such as 'what's in the bag', showing their positive attitude to learning.

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

• Children's communication and language development is a main priority of the curriculum. Staff ensure that children are exposed to a language-rich environment. They constantly repeat key words during activities, skilfully use visual aids, and introduce simple sign language to support early language development. Babies and toddlers show high levels of engagement for their ages as they join in games that help them to associate the words in songs with objects. Staff expand children's vocabulary by introducing words such as 'mixing' and 'stirring' while demonstrating these actions as children play in the mud kitchen.
• Babies and toddlers develop impressive independence skills. The staff encourage young children to perform tasks on their own. For example, babies stand in front of a mirror and use cloths to wipe their faces after eating. Toddlers locate and put on their aprons, sit themselves at the table and pour drinks before eating. After they finish, staff encourage them to help clear away. Children develop a sense of pride and belonging as they help to wipe down the table.
• Staff weave early mathematics into all aspects of children's play. For example, as toddlers take turns, they learn to say 'one, two, three, go' before going down the slide. During daily activities, staff use simple songs to help toddlers understand directional language, such as 'round and round' and 'up and down'. As babies fill buckets with sand, staff clap them, saying 'it's full'. Staff's continual interactions support children to extend their learning to the highest level.
• Young children engage with their local community and learn about life outside the nursery. For example, they have recently taken part in a community project, learning about the importance of public spaces and taking care of their surroundings. They also visit different places of interest during times of celebration. For instance, children visited the local temple during Diwali. The staff invite visitors into the nursery to help develop children's understanding of the world. For example, the local postman helped children to understand how letters are sent and received.
• Staff prioritise young children's health, well-being and physical development. Children build physical and problem-solving skills as they use climbing equipment both inside and outdoors. Young children learn about dental health through role play, listening to stories and trying healthy and nutritious foods.
• Staff's engagement with parents is of the highest quality. They carry out home visits before children start, allowing children and their families to get to know them in familiar environments. They continue to build on parent partnerships as they offer termly one-to-one meetings, focusing on children's achievement and sharing their next steps in learning. Staff plan and deliver 'information sessions' to parents on subjects such as toilet training, understanding autism and oral hygiene.
• Staff benefit from ongoing professional development to enhance their skills. They work in collaboration with the local authority and have recently developed a project to offer workshops for parents. These workshops help parents to understand how they can support their children's learning at home. Staff provide targeted home learning activities that parents can continue, fostering a strong foundation for children's happiness, confidence and love of learning.