Dandelion Education Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive and make rapid progress at this unique outdoor nursery. They are warmly welcomed at the gate by friendly and caring staff who take time to chat to parents. Children eagerly come through the gate and hang up their 'name cookie'. They explore the spacious, natural environment and show high levels of confidence and independence. Younger children use musical instruments and dressing-up props and older children fill up wheelbarrows with logs and leaves. Children are highly active around the site and make full use of the carefully thought-out opportunities to dig, climb, slide, swing, run and balance. This results in high levels of physical proficiency across all ages.

Children's behaviour is exemplary, and they move around the site with care and consideration for others. They check it is safe to use the swing by shouting 'swing zone' if other children approach. Children wait patiently for their turn to slide down the treehouse slide and climb onto a fallen tree trunk. They share books with each other in the treehouse and older children help younger ones choose hats to dress up in. Children are polite, kind, and respectful to one another. For example, they work together to carry guttering for their water play. Older children share ideas of how best to fill up a container with water. Younger children share teapots and explain how to use scissors to cut flower stems to make 'tea'.

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

• Children demonstrate excellent social skills and confidently express their thoughts, opinions, and choices. Staff encourage children to 'wiggle their finger and make a choice'. Younger children tell staff their preferences for songs and confidently give explanations for the words 'clockwise' and 'carbohydrates'. Philosophy sessions allow older children to explain whether they would rather, 'Have a monkey to tickle or a bear to read to'. Younger children show politeness when saying please and thank you and older children wait their turn to speak during group discussions. During their play, children give advice to one another and talk about 'making choices' and sharing.
• Staff's teaching consistently builds on children's communication and language at every opportunity. Staff use challenging vocabulary and take the time to explain and demonstrate the meaning of new words. For example, during cooking, they describe 'microscopic' germs and explain how mammals produce milk. In a group activity, children listen carefully to clues and share their thoughts about what is in the 'mystery box'.
• Staff use highly effective teaching strategies in group activities. They make reading time interesting by incorporating counting, singing and music. This means that even the youngest children listen to stories with a high level of interest and engagement. Older children are enthusiastic to write letters of the alphabet after playing phonics games. Staff change the pitch of their voice to grab children's attention and use music to teach children about repeating patterns.
• Staff are wonderful role models, and treat all children with respect, care and kindness. Children show they have firm attachments, and approach staff if they need help. Staff consistently encourage positive behaviour and tell children to 'keep trying' and 'show what you can do'. They help younger children to balance and stretch during yoga. Staff encourage older children to put on their 'thinking cap' when designing at the tool table. Children are eager to take their work home and they ask to record their designs using electronic tablets.
• Staff morale and job satisfaction is very high. Staff speak of 'being in the right place'. Managers work closely with staff to provide ongoing and timely evaluation, coaching and support. Staff benefit from regular opportunities to team teach and learn new skills. This builds on their professional knowledge and teaching skills. All staff comment on how they feel part of a team and that they are 'listened to and respected'.
• Staff minimise hazards at the site extremely well. They undertake thorough daily site checks and issues are dealt with in a timely manner. Staff include older children in daily risk assessment activities. Children identify hazards, such as fallen and loose branches, and they explain the dangers of high winds. They confidently explain how to evacuate and call 999.
• Parents are extremely positive about the nursery. They state they, 'can't praise staff enough' and children have 'blossomed' and 'come on in leaps and bounds'. Parents comment that they feel lucky their child is taught by 'attentive and highly-qualified staff'. They comment that communication is thorough and that they feel very well informed. The nursery provides detailed monthly planning grids, which provide useful guidance for parents on how they can support their children. This helps build strong partnerships with families and other settings that children attend.