Future Champions Childrens Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are safe, settled and happy at this nursery. Staff work closely with parents during settling-in periods to gain all the knowledge they need to help children to settle quickly. The key-person system is effective. Children form secure bonds and attachments with staff. Staff account for children's individual needs when planning learning and activities. Staff frequently read core books to children to support their language and literacy skills. Children engage well with the stories and become familiar with story structure and patterns of language. Children enjoy their time in the garden. They develop their fine motor skills as they dig the soil in the mud kitchen. Younger children show excitement as they take turns climbing the steps to the slide. These opportunities promote children's physical development.

Leaders and staff provide strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They work closely with parents and other agencies to ensure that all relevant information is shared so children receive consistent support. Staff support transitions well. This helps children to settle into their new environments quickly. Leaders and staff provide children with experiences to enhance their understanding of the world. For example, they frequently visit the local community and meet new people. In addition, children benefit from regular Spanish lessons. This helps children to develop their understanding of the world.

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

• There is an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum in place. Staff focus on a 'skill of the week' that has been tailored to children's needs. For example, younger children learn to feed themselves and older children practise cutting their own food. In the main, staff know and understand the curriculum intentions well. However, this information has not been effectively shared with new staff. This means that some activities are less well planned to build on children's skills.
• The curriculum for communication and language is a strength of the nursery. Staff model language well and encourage back and forth conversations. Staff skilfully introduce new words to younger children, such as 'squish' and 'roll', as they explore play dough. Children are becoming confident communicators.
• Leaders and staff review children's assessments regularly. From this information, they plan focused activities and interventions to narrow any gaps in children's learning. All children make good progress.
• Parent partnerships are strong and communication with them is highly effective. Parents are very happy with the nursery and comment on the 'positive relationships' that their children have with the staff. Staff share children's progress and current learning targets with parents. This helps to provide continuity of care for children.
• Overall, children behave well. Staff are working with older children to reintroduce routines and reinforce golden rules. For example, staff remind children to 'be kind'. However, staff do not consistently support children to talk to others about how they are feeling or support them in managing conflicts independently. This means that they do not always learn the consequences of unwanted behaviour and how this may impact others.
• Children enjoy mealtimes. Staff ensure that children are provided with healthy meals and snacks. Staff talk to children about the vegetables in their lunch and the positive effect these have on their bodies. Children know to wash their hands before meals or cooking activities as there may be 'germs'. Children are learning some of the ways to look after their bodies.
• Staff support children's mathematical skills well. For example, children use weighing scales to measure their ingredients. They discuss with staff how they need 'four grams of sugar'. Staff use visual numbers to further support children's knowledge. This enhances children's early mathematical development.
• Leaders and staff evaluate the setting and value the views of others. For example, parents recently expressed that they would like their children to have more opportunities to be outside, which was swiftly addressed. Self-evaluation is effective and demonstrates a commitment to continually improve, to help achieve the best possible outcomes for children.
• Leaders are committed to helping all children reach their full potential. Staff supervision and professional development are prioritised. Leaders observe staff practice and ensure that staff training is managed well to have a positive impact on children's learning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen systems for new staff to help them understand how to support children's learning through the nursery's curriculum
• continue to support and coach staff in helping children to reflect on their emotions and understand how their actions affect others.