Fixbees LTD

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish in this warm and inclusive nursery. They are greeted by friendly staff who help them to settle quickly into their day. Staff know the children well and establish strong emotional attachments and trusting bonds with them. Children confidently seek out their key person for reassurance and comfort when needed. As a result, children feel secure, valued and develop a strong sense of belonging. Inclusion, diversity and cultural differences are celebrated throughout the nursery. Parents are encouraged to share their backgrounds, and children learn to value what makes them and others unique. Staff make effective use of children's cultural diversity, working with families to share stories, clothing and food within the setting. Walks in the community are used to explore different houses and family structures. These experiences help children to develop respect for others and a strong sense of pride and belonging.

Children demonstrate a genuine love of learning and immerse themselves in play and exploration. Leaders and staff have designed an ambitious, well-balanced curriculum that promotes curiosity and enjoyment. For example, children enjoy making potions using flowers and real vegetables in the mud kitchen. Staff support children to safely use knives to cut up their potatoes and apples. As a result, children are motivated to learn, show sustained concentration and make good progress across all areas of their development. Children behave very well and respond positively to staff, who act as calm and consistent role models. Staff introduce clear expectations are introduced in ways that children understand, helping them to learn what is expected of them. Staff use praise effectively to recognise children's efforts and achievements. This approach promotes children's self-esteem, builds their confidence and supports their social and emotional development.

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

• The leadership team are dedicated to support staff's well-being and continued professional development. Staff are supported to complete observations and identify their key children's next steps. Leaders use supervision sessions and staff observations to identify any areas for development. Staff report they feel well supported in their roles at the nursery.
• Overall, staff support children's communication and language development effectively. They use daily interactions to extend children's vocabulary. For example, during story time, staff introduce new words such as 'enormous' and revisit words to check children's comprehension. However, staff do not always allow children sufficient time to process and respond to questions before moving on. As a result, some opportunities to strengthen children's communication and thinking are occasionally missed.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and those in receipt of additional funding, receive strong support. Staff carefully monitor children's development and respond swiftly when concerns arise. They work closely with local inclusion services and other professionals to secure specialist input and implement tailored strategies. Leaders ensure funding is used effectively to enhance provision. For example, they are currently developing an outdoor hut to provide small-group intervention sessions, further supporting children's individual learning needs.
• Mathematics is well embedded across the curriculum. Staff skilfully weave mathematical concepts into everyday activities, such as teaching halves and quarters when children cut up vegetables. During group times, children are encouraged to count the day of the month and identify shapes together. These consistent opportunities support children to develop their understanding of number, shape, space and measure. As a result, children make strong progress in their mathematical development and are well prepared for their next stage of learning.
• Partnerships with parents are a key strength of the nursery. Parents receive regular updates about their children's learning and how they can support this at home. Staff actively involve families through stay-and-play sessions and by seeking feedback on areas for improvement. Parents speak very positively about the nursery. They highlight the excellent communication they receive and comment on the significant progress their children have made sense starting.
• Children learn about healthy lifestyles. They enjoy daily outdoor play for fresh air and exercise and attend weekly rugby sessions. Meals are nutritious and adapted to meet children's individual dietary needs. However, staff do not always make the most of opportunities to extend children's understanding further. For example, at snack and mealtimes, they do not discuss the benefits of healthy food choices.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• allow children the time they need to consider and answer questions asked to build on their language skills
• enhance curriculum planning so that daily routines and activities are used more effectively to extend children's understanding of healthy lifestyles and support their overall well-being.