Fenwood House Day Nursery Wath Upon Dearne

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and engaged in this caring nursery. They make a smooth start to their learning experiences and form strong bonds with staff. Babies grow in confidence in the warm care that they receive from staff, who have a strong understanding of their needs. Staff have high expectations and ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress overall. For example, babies build on their skills at making marks from sensory experiences with foam and sand. In the pre-school, they move on to make intricate drawings, paintings and models of themselves and their family. This all contributes to the development of their later writing skills.

Children are safe and secure. They learn to manage their own risks. For example, children learn about road safety when they ride their toy vehicles, and babies develop their skills to safely climb stairs. Children behave well. They are polite and friendly. For example, they learn to independently help each other as they tidy toys away when they finish an activity. They join in friendly, social discussions at mealtimes and enjoy preparing their own snacks.

Parents are appreciative of the professionalism and warmth that staff show towards them. They welcome the positive support for children's safety and social development throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

• Staff promote children's communication and language skills well overall. They introduce children to new vocabulary through songs, stories and play. Staff largely help children to remember new words and phrases, for example, through games and conversations. However, sometimes, staff do not take opportunities that present themselves to extend children's speaking skills further and build fully on their vocabulary.
• The enthusiastic leadership team inspires the well-qualified staff to strive for high standards. They make good use of training and supervision sessions to support staff to develop their skills and knowledge. Staff work together well to plan an exciting educational programme that systematically helps children to work towards clear targets for all areas of their learning. Children are well prepared for the next stage in their education, including starting school.
• Staff strongly and progressively promote children's love of books. They teach children a wide range of nursery rhymes, traditional tales and songs. Staff choose books that develop children's interests and language experiences, and support all areas of their learning. They help children to become familiar with the plot and character, for example, through repeating the story throughout the week. In addition, they use puppets and toys to engage their interests. Staff read stories well with expression and ensure that all children, including those with SEND, are fully engaged.
• Staff provide effective support to children with SEND. They work closely with parents and specialist professionals, such as speech and language therapists, to set targets and prepare children for further learning. They use any additional funding to provide the skills and resources, such as dedicated staff time, to help children to reach their goals.
• Children are strongly supported in their behaviour and personal development. Staff help them to learn about their world. For example, children very much enjoy talking about their families and friends as they look at photos as part of their 'All about me' topic. They help children, including those with SEND, to manage their emotions. For example, children are inspired by the story of 'The Colour Monster' to explain the emotions they are feeling by matching colours to them.
• Staff encourage children's healthy lifestyle and well-being. Children learn how to wash their hands thoroughly and the importance of good oral health. They are physically active in their busy outdoor areas or on visits to nearby woodlands and parks. They are taught how to plant seeds and care for the plants as they grow. They know that they need sunshine and water.
• Parents strongly recommend the nursery. They particularly appreciate the very detailed regular information and photos that they receive about their children's progress. They welcome the guidance that staff offer to help children's learning and development at home.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to build on the good quality of teaching, to take every opportunity to further enrich and extend children's vocabulary and language skills.