Fennies Woodside

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff know children well. This is because they rigorously observe and assess children's learning. Children receive the support they need, creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment. Staff manage children's behaviour positively. They encourage the use of 'kind hands', which helps children to behave well. The managers play a crucial role in supporting staff. They ensure that children's health and safety are prioritised, while actively involving parents and carers in the process. Staff encourage children to eat healthy and balanced meals, which has a positive impact on their growth and development.

Staff follow an ambitious curriculum designed to provide a wealth of opportunities, indoors and outdoors. Children learn important skills for their future education. For example, staff incorporate songs and rhymes to enhance children's language skills. They promote exploration, social interaction and creativity. Children enjoy exploring activities, such as shaving foam, water and sand. Older children have a fantastic time making pretend soups with fresh fruits and vegetables. They play happily with their peers. Staff are committed to doing the right thing by children. They offer strong support to those children who are disadvantaged and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This ensures that every child gets a strong start in their education.

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

• The managers are dedicated to the well-being and development of children and staff. They have a clear and ambitious vision for delivering high-quality care and education. The managers display confidence in their roles, which has a positive impact on those around them. As a result, children interact confidently with their peers and adults.
• Staff set high expectations for children's learning. They understand the broad curriculum that equips children with the knowledge and cultural capital necessary for success in life. This helps all children to make good progress. With additional funding, children receive individual support to close any gaps in their development, such as their speech development and behaviour.
• Mathematics plays a strong feature in the curriculum. Staff teach children to use numbers spontaneously and during planned activities. Children develop a love of numbers. In addition, staff teach children early mathematical concepts, including weight, measurements and capacity. For example, during a planned activity, older children show a strong understanding of 'big' and 'small' quantities.
• The managers provide strong support to staff, particularly through regular discussions and evaluation of practice. Staff agree that they receive a high level of support for their work and well-being. Many staff pursue higher qualifications in childcare, which enhances their knowledge and skills. For instance, room leaders have completed training that has boosted their confidence in teaching. This has increased children's motivation to engage in play.
• Staff provide children with opportunities to hear different languages, promoting diversity. They incorporate nursery songs and count in Spanish, which children enjoy singing, and clapping along with others. In addition, staff organise a wide variety of outings to enrich children's learning. They take children to the local fire station, parks and museums. Staff use these experiences to help children to gain a better understanding of the world around them.
• Overall, staff manage the daily routines effectively. However, sometimes they do not consider how to prevent children from waiting unnecessarily for long periods. As a result, some children become restless and disengaged.
• Staff are friendly and approachable. They teach children to understand the importance of using good manners. Children learn to use polite words, such as thank you and please, independently. In addition, staff ensure that children wash their hands before handling food. Children learn how to minimise the spread of infection and support their good health.
• Staff work closely with parents. They share relevant information and help them to extend their children's learning at home. This includes providing books and home-packed activities that parents can do with their children. Parents comment on how staff build strong relationships with their children, which benefits their children's emotional well-being effectively. Children enjoy coming to the nursery and making friends.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• manage changes in daily routines more effectively to enhance children's learning and engagement.