First Steps Nursery At Froebelian

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Leaders and staff are dedicated to ensuring that every child gets the best possible start to their education. The impact of the highly effective curriculum is clearly evident in children's learning, behaviour and attitudes. Children become absorbed in activities. Their concentration and perseverance contributes to their excellent achievements. Children are extremely well prepared for later learning. Pre-school children show remarkable abilities in literacy and mathematics. They can write their name and other words, and know about the sounds that letters make. Children confidently solve mathematical problems, such as how many more spoons they need to make sure all their friends have one.

Staff foster children's curiosity, imagination and creativity. Children are consistently keen to explore and to learn more. Staff support this extremely well. Children notice changes in the ducklings which they care for. This leads to children taking part in a wealth of activities, including observational drawings, making models and finding out facts in books. Toddlers are incredibly focused while exploring sand, water and other messy play activities. Babies become fascinated by the leaves and petals while watering flowers. Robust key-person arrangements help children to feel safe and secure. Staff have an excellent knowledge of children's individual needs. They are very sensitive to those children who need more reassurance, for example, when unfamiliar people visit nursery.

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

• Leaders have consistently high expectations of staff and children. They focus the curriculum, routines and plans for further development on achieving the best possible outcomes for children. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have continued to provide outstanding levels of care and education for all children.
• The atmosphere is calm, and routines and activities are well paced. Children have plenty of time and opportunities to understand and practise what they learn. Staff ensure that children have a deep understanding before moving on to new learning. This helps children to remember their new skills and knowledge, and to build on them successfully.
• Staff's plans for children's learning are meticulous. They use their excellent knowledge about how children learn to plan meaningful and exciting activities that match their learning needs precisely. Many children exceed typical levels of expected development for their age.
• Staff skilfully support children to extend their already remarkable language skills. Babies and toddlers benefit from regular song times and repeated familiar stories that help them to learn new words rapidly. Staff working with pre-school children consistently model rich and varied vocabulary. Children are extremely articulate and confident talkers.
• Alongside focused and adult-led activities, staff support children to play independently and take responsibility for their own learning. This is enhanced by the very well-thought-out environment. Children keenly explore inviting play spaces, where their prior learning is evident. For example, they choose to play a lotto game and remind one another of the rules.
• Children's behaviour is exemplary. They play together harmoniously, and show remarkable respect and consideration for others. Children listen intently to adults during activities and wait for their turn to speak during discussions.
• Staff teach children about, and celebrate, their uniqueness. All aspects of practice reflect the diversity of the community and the wider world. Parents appreciate the inclusive and multicultural approach that is woven into the nursery ethos. Staff support children to learn about one another's celebrations in an age-appropriate way.
• Leaders scrutinise staff's practice and the achievements that children make. This leads to incisive enhancements in nursery that accelerate children's learning. For example, the outdoor area has recently been improved. Staff now provide even more opportunities for children to practise their mathematical skills. Children make rapid progress in their learning.
• Parents are active partners in their children's learning. They report that communication from staff is excellent. Regular and detailed information is shared between parents and key members of staff. This helps parents to enhance children's learning even further at home, working to the same aims as staff. They say that their children 'thrive' in nursery.
• Staff's professional development is centred around maintaining and enhancing the high standard of teaching. Staff develop and share their expertise in early years education. This helps to ensure that the curriculum continues to precisely meet the needs of the children attending. For example, they have developed expert knowledge of how to support children's developing language skills .