First Steps

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and settle well at nursery. They leave their parents at the door with ease because they are greeted with a warm welcome by the practitioners and manager. This gives children a sense of security and belonging. Key information is gathered from the parents at drop off time and feedback is given to parents when they collect their children. This keeps them informed of their children's development.

Children explore the setting independently and self-select resources. Practitioners follow the children's lead and encourage them to follow their own ideas. Children are eager to learn, and they make good progress. They choose from a range of activities, that support their interests and development. Children enjoy their welcome time and sing the 'Hello' song in English and Spanish and they listen to each other speak about how they are feeling today. Practitioners have high expectations for children's behaviour and support them to understand each other's actions and feelings. As a result, children behave well.

Children develop an understanding of themselves and the wider community through activities and celebrations that represent the children, families and staff within the setting. For example, children have their families displayed on a world map with flags to identify all the countries related to the children.

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

• The manager is dedicated and has a clear vision for the curriculum offered, this includes a secure knowledge of how to support children with additional needs. She closely monitors the purpose of activities and experiences that staff deliver and provides them with constructive feedback to support their teaching skills. Practitioners reflect on their own practice. For example, at the end of each day, they discuss what went well and what can be improved.
• Children benefit from a curriculum based on their interests and individual learning needs, practitioners understand what the children already know and use this to plan activities to build on their knowledge.
• Practitioners have a strong focus on children's communication and language. As a result, support for children's developing communication and language skills is good. They introduce new vocabulary as children learn about caterpillars and observe live caterpillars in the nursery.
• Children who speak English as an additional language make good progress. Practitioners use a variety of resources to help children develop in English and their home language. The manager specifically tracks the development of children who speak English as an additional language to ensure they are not left behind.
• Practitioners, generally, use questions well to find out what children know and further extend their knowledge. However, at times, some practitioners quickly repeat questions they have asked, this means children do not consistently have sufficient time to think or respond.
• Children develop a good understanding of hygiene and personal health. For instance, they talk about the benefits of brushing their teeth and access activities related to the dentist. Practitioners provide opportunities for children to access fresh air and exercise to support their physical development and well-being
• Children are given opportunities to develop their understanding of nature as they care for their tortoise and explore the natural environment. Children also learn about how to recycle effectively and the benefits this has on the environment.
• Parents speak very highly of the nursery and say that their children enjoy attending. They discuss the family feel and the care and patience the practitioners show towards their children. Parents are kept informed about their child's development. The manager and practitioners establish positive relationships with parents. Feedback from parents and children is valued and is used to implement change.
• Practitioners feel supported in their professional development, they benefit from supervisions with their manager to identify strengths and areas to improve. Practitioners have access to training and coaching to enhance their practice.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff practice to develop their questioning techniques to further extend children's thinking skills and allow them time to respond.