Dairy Farm Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish within this friendly and caring nursery. Staff know children extremely well. They successfully and seamlessly follow children's interests. Children are captivated in play and learning throughout the day. For example, during outdoor play, children independently recall a story about three little pigs. They collect pretend bricks and build a door to protect themselves from the big bad wolf. They eagerly shout, 'I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house down.' Staff expertly and sensitively support play while following children's lead. Children's interest in the story is extended as children move to the mud kitchen to make soup for the wolf.

Staff provide skilled and high-quality interactions to embed and extend learning and development. Staff have high expectations of all children and encourage children to have a go and keep on trying. For instance, when children find it difficult to chop hard fruit, staff show them what to do and explain how to position their body to make cutting easier. Children use their strength and small muscles to practise this task and succeed. Staff use their knowledge of each child to link learning to home experiences. For example, they ask children what lemons are used for and relate this to when children help to cook family meals.

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

• Staff are eager to understand each child and what makes them unique. Their secure knowledge of each child feeds into the planning of activities and experiences, which also link to children's interests, learning styles and next steps in learning. Staff are receptive to children's needs. They implement a child-centred curriculum which is truly tailored to the individual needs of each child.
• Staff work closely with parents. They provide open days for parents to gain information about various topics, such as how children learn, toilet training and sleep routines. Parents speak incredibly highly about the setting. They report that staff are extremely responsive to the needs of children and families. For example, staff act quickly to support children's emotional development. They create cards for children to show adults when they need help. Similarly, staff use a feelings board to encourage children to acknowledge and consider their own feelings and emotions.
• Leaders and managers are passionate about providing high-quality care and education. They continually reflect on what they do. As a result, they precisely identify what they are doing well and areas for development. Leaders and managers provide excellent support to staff, and their well-being is placed as a high priority. As result, staff are very happy in their roles, and this shines through in their commitment and dedication to children and families.
• Children are confident and independent. They have many opportunities to practise self-help skills and develop independence. Children learn valuable life skills and are prepared for their next stage of learning. For example, they use real utensils during play and when they prepare, and serve food and drinks.
• Babies and young children are extremely self aware and recognise their own needs. They effectively communicate this to staff. For example, they say 'tired' to let staff know that they would like a rest. Staff prepare a bed and children willingly lie down for a sleep. During mealtime babies can indicate when they would like more food. This is because staff have taught babies to sign. Consequently, babies and children are accomplished in expressing themselves and understanding others.
• Children behave exceptionally well. They introduce themselves and friends to visitors within the nursery. Children are caring and compassionate to one another. When one of their friends goes home, they say 'bye' and hug each other. On the rare occasion that there is a dispute, children listen to staff and consider their own and the feelings of others. Children's ideas are valued and respected as they make suggestions for how differences of opinion can be resolved.
• Staff maximise use of the outdoors; children visit the farm and learn about care and respect for animals. They learn about new life as they visit the farm during calving season. Children become excited as they see the cows come up to the fence. Staff share this excitement, and they use this time as a valuable learning experience.