Enchanted Lands Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive happy and quickly engage in activities, which staff thoughtfully set up to engage children. Staff take time to form secure relationships with children and their families. This helps children to feel safe and secure. During the settling-in process, leaders and staff gain an understanding of each child. They establish what interests children and what they like and dislike. Staff consider children's needs and interests when planning activities. This supports all children to make good progress.

Children benefit from a well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum. They enjoy a broad range of activities that promote their interest and curiosity. Leaders and staff create an environment that is interesting and exciting for children to engage in. Children focus on their chosen activity and show a high level of concentration. For example, children explore making potions and pour liquids into different containers with skill and coordination. They use their creativity and imaginations, such as they explain that 'potions can change humans into frogs.'

Children behave well. They are caring and considerate. Children listen and follow instructions. Staff encourage children to take turns and share, when appropriate. They give children regular praise and encouragement in everything they do. This helps to develop children's confidence and self-esteem.

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

• Leaders have a clear vision for providing high-quality and inclusive care to all. They provide support and training to develop staff's teaching skills, to enable staff to support children's development. Leaders provide coaching and are role models of good practice throughout the day.
• Leaders and staff are attentive and provide timely support that encourages children to progress. They swiftly identify when children's progress does not meet expectations. Staff work in partnership with other professionals, which enables them to provide targeted support for children. This helps all children to make good progress.
• Staff value the diversity of the families which use in the nursery. They celebrate various festivals and cultural events. Children who speak English as an additional language receive good support. Staff take the time to learn key words in their home languages. In addition, staff display photos of children's families in the nursery. This helps children to gain sense of belonging.
• Staff use stories, rhymes and songs to introduce new words and phrases to support children's communication and language development. Most staff talk to children and engage in two-way conversations. However, on occasions, less-confident staff do not consistently use effective strategies to support children's communication. For example, during mealtimes, some staff's interactions are mainly instructional. This means that on these occasions, children do not enhance their language skills further.
• Children have many opportunities to develop and enhance their early mathematical development. They learn about sequencing, patterns and shapes. Additionally, children gain confidence in counting and number recognition.
• Staff support children well to learn about the world around them. Staff introduce children to the natural life cycles of different animals, such as butterflies and chicks. Children explore the wormery in the garden and learn basic concepts of sustainability. Staff also introduce children to people who help them. For example, staff arrange visits from fire fighters, police officers and a dental nurse. Staff use these diverse experiences to encourage children to respect others.
• Children take part in regular physical activity. They enjoy riding bicycles and climbing in the garden. Children use tools, such as tweezers and scissors with precision and confidence. Staff plan these opportunities to build on children's physical development.
• Children behave well and learn to manage their feelings with increasing confidence. Staff support children's personal development, especially their independence, well. However, at times, staff do not consistently and clearly explain to children why certain routines are in place and how they support children's good health. This does not support children to understand why certain rules and routines are in place.
• Parents and carers are well informed about the progress their children are making. They know what their children are learning and how they can help further develop their children's skills and knowledge at home. Leaders invite parents to attend workshops, which support the continuity of children's experiences.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff's interactions to support a consistent approach in helping children to develop their communication and language skills further
• support staff to enhance their skills in communicating clear expectations so children that understand the reasons behind the rules, routines and good practices.