Fig Tree Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive happy and excited to begin their day. They separate from their parents and carers with ease. Children have strong attachments with the kind and caring staff. They receive plenty of cuddles and reassurance, when needed. Babies grow in confidence with the warm care that they receive from staff, who have a strong understanding of their needs and interests. Staff are friendly and patient and offer regular gentle reminders of the rules. They encourage and praise the children throughout the day. This helps to support children's self-esteem and emotional development.

Children enjoy a range of activities provided. For example, children play with a water table set up as a swimming pool, when they show an interest in swimming. They enjoy a ball game outdoors and kick balls to see them bounce on the crates. Children develop curiosity as they play. They enthusiastically tap on a large plastic tray of beans to see how high the beans can go. Staff talk to the children about how to make the beans go higher or lower. Children also snuggle up to staff as they listen to stories in small groups and develop their love of books. They are engaged and motivated and show a willingness to try new things. For example, older children concentrate intently as they cut open a melon and explore the seeds.

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

• The manager is passionate and dedicated. She continuously improves her knowledge and provides professional development opportunities for staff. For example, they have regular supervisions and support from the manager. She values her staff and prioritises their mental health and well-being. This helps to create a happy and welcoming environment for children to thrive in.
• The manager and staff work together to help children work towards clear targets. They know the children well, and plan engaging learning opportunities that follow children's interests. For example, staff create a large car-racing board with numbers and children count how far their car can go. Staff help children to recognise sequences by using phrases, such as 'ready, steady, go', and counting 'one, two, three'. Children are engaged in their learning and are building the skills and confidence required to make progress. Children are well prepared for the next stage in their education, including starting school.
• Overall, staff help promote children's communication and language skills well. They provide opportunities for children to learn language through singing songs, reading books, conversations, and joining the children in role play. However, staff do not reinforce new vocabulary enough. This means children do not benefit from the best opportunities to enrich their speaking skills or enhance their communication and language.
• Staff allow children plenty of choice to lead their learning and select from resources available. However, children are not encouraged to tidy up after themselves once they have finished with resources. Children are not given enough opportunities to develop an understanding about how their actions may impact on others or a sense of care for their environment and equipment.
• Staff support children to develop an awareness of the diverse world in which they live. They explore and plan ways in which they can embrace the heritage and cultural backgrounds of children attending. For example, they consult with parents and research traditions to help them to provide activities which promote diversity. Children develop an understanding and respect for society.
• The nursery chef cooks healthy meals that cater for children's allergies and dietary requirements. Children look forward to mealtimes with their friends and sit together at the purpose-built tables and benches. Staff support the youngest children to learn to use spoons, and older children to manage their forks. Children develop their independence and social skills during mealtimes.
• Children learn about how to stay healthy. They are active and busy throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors. Children learn about the importance of good oral health as they brush their teeth. This supports children's health and well-being.
• Parents are complimentary about the setting. They feel well supported and communicated with. They comment that they have up-to-date information on their child's day and the progress they have made. This helps promote the continuity of learning at home and elsewhere.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to build on their good quality of teaching, particularly regarding the opportunities to help children enhance their vocabulary and language skills
• help children to become more aware of how their actions may impact on others and to take more responsibility for their environment and equipment.