Funshine(Eden Park) Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and secure at this welcoming nursery. Staff are supportive and engage children in interesting activities. Children enjoy a range of learning experiences which enable them to make good progress. Children are confident and freely explore their surroundings. Babies enjoy sensory play while they explore different textures, such as wood and metal objects. They show wonder when they push hoops through large cardboard tubes. They excitedly clap their hands as they watch them come out the other side. Staff gently support babies by staying close and encouraging new vocabulary.

Toddlers are inquisitive when they explore a rice activity. They concentrate well when they skilfully scoop rice into pots using a range of utensils. Staff introduce simple mathematical concepts during play, such as counting and learning colours and shapes. Toddlers learn how to engage with their peers. Outdoors, they use their imagination as they sit in a box together and pretend it is a rocket ship. Pre-school children are confident communicators. They excitedly identify money spiders in the outdoor area and describe them as 'golden'. Children behave well and understand expectations. They respond positively to gentle reminders from staff to share and take turns. Younger children are supported to manage their feelings and older children show care and concern for each other.

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

• Leaders and staff provide a curriculum that follows children's interests and they make accurate assessments of children's ongoing progress. Staff use this information well to decide what children need to learn next and to close any gaps in learning. This helps children become ready to move into other rooms and on to school. For example, children learn to be independent and manage their personal care routines.
• Staff use a range of books which are often linked to children's interests, themes and topics to motivate them to learn. Staff create visually stimulating 'immersive worlds' that inspire children's creative thinking and embed their knowledge. Staff enthusiastically support toddlers to imaginatively explore the 'rumble in the jungle' world.
• Parents are happy with the care given to their children and they like the friendly and caring staff. Parents are very pleased with the developmental progress their children have made since attending the nursery. They say their children are learning useful skills to help prepare them for their move to school.
• Staff speak positively about the management team and they feel valued and supported. The manager conducts regular staff supervision and makes observations of the quality of teaching practice to ensure it is consistently good. Staff training is positively encouraged so that staff are able to build on their skills, which improves outcomes for children.
• Older children form friendships and work collaboratively with each other. Together, they skilfully navigate where construction pieces should go to make a shared model. However, some pre-school large-group activities are not particularly meaningful to children, which means some children become bored and disengaged.
• Children over two years benefit from regular outdoor play opportunities. They demonstrate good physical skills as they expertly use the climbing frame. However, the babies do not have the same opportunities as the older children. They do not benefit from well-thought-out outdoor play experiences.
• Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that they offer a consistent approach to children's development. Staff work well with other agencies to ensure that children's needs are supported well in the nursery.
• Children benefit from a range of nutritious meals and snacks which are freshly prepared on site. Children learn about good hygiene practice through everyday routines, such as washing hands prior to eating.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review the organisation of larger group activities for the pre-school children, to ensure that all children remain fully engaged and interested in their learning
• monitor the curriculum for babies outdoor play more closely to provide a richer range of play experiences to further support babies learning and development.