Forest Park Day Nursery & Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive at this exceptional nursery. Children and families are at the heart of everything the nursery does. Key persons build up strong bonds with children so that they feel safe and secure in their care. Staff have a primary focus of supporting children's emotional health, which begins in the baby room. They recognise the positive impact that children's well-being has on all aspects of children's learning and development.

All children make outstanding progress from their starting points. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The highly ambitious curriculum greatly benefits children with their communication, independence, and social interactions. For example, babies shake instruments in time with nursery rhymes. They squeal with delight when sitting in trays of water. Staff teach them new vocabulary such as 'splash' and 'clap' as they happily play alongside other babies. Babies receive excellent care during their time in the baby room and, as a result, the transition into the next room is seamless.

Leaders have very high expectations for children's learning. Older children face exciting challenges, such as making their own story books which include their own ideas and characters. This is highly effective in helping children to feel valued and listened to and consequently has an extremely positive impact on children's self-esteem and confidence.

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

• Children demonstrate exceptionally high levels of independence throughout the nursery. For example, they quickly take responsibility for their own belongings when they arrive. Young children use cutlery to feed themselves and tidy away without being prompted to do so. Babies attempt to put away the toys that they have been playing with. Older children are keen to use the delightful 'animal' toilets that have picture cues to remind children the sequence of using the toilet. As a result, the majority of toddlers are out of nappies by the time they move on to the next room.
• Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. Staff meet with parents daily to give feedback on their child's day. Parents mention that they are 'thrilled' to be able to enter the nursery at the end of the day to talk to staff and watch their child play. They describe the detail that goes into the 'fantastic' home-learning bags. Parents love the recipes books, pictures and games which help to support their child's learning at home. They mention that staff provide an exceptionally loving learning environment for their children, particularly those children with SEND.
• Children receive outstanding high-quality interactions from the staff who care for them and are well supported to develop their communication skills. Staff use sign language to aid communication and they patiently explain what it is that they are asking children to do. Babies are sung and read to and enjoy interactive music times where they learn how to count while playing. As a result, throughout the nursery children are very proficient and confident communicators. They go on to use a wide range of vocabulary during their play.
• Leaders provide exemplary support for their staff team. Staff mention that the leaders go 'above and beyond' to make them feel valued and listened to. They describe how the leaders continue to support them outside of the nursery and provide treats to say thank you. Leaders encourage staff to undertake training in order to extend their area of interests, such as studying brain development in children and using sign language to help children to communicate.
• Physical activity is a real strength in the nursery. All children have regular access to a delightful outside area that helps to support muscle development. Children run, jump and climb and throw balls through hoops. They exclaim, 'Yay! Did you see that? I did it!' to the inspector. Babies crawl and walk down steps, under the watchful eye of the staff team. They roll balls across the floor and engage in sensory activities which help build the small muscles in their hands.
• Children's behaviour is excellent throughout the nursery. For example, children engaged in a superhero game declare that they all must use 'kind hands'. Children say 'please', 'thank you' and 'may I help you?' They willingly share resources with each other and cuddle children who have become upset. Staff are respectful and exceptionally attentive to the children. As a result, children respect both each other and themselves.