Georgie Porgie's Nursery Kirkholt

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children show positive attitudes towards learning and form strong bonds with the nurturing and attentive staff. Consequently, they show that they feel happy and safe. Children greatly benefit from a well-planned and varied curriculum that takes account of their interests and what knowledge and skills they need to learn next. Staff are positive role models and have high expectations for children's behaviour. They place strong focus on supporting children's confidence and self-esteem. Therefore, children understand the routine and boundaries and are motivated to join in.

Children show good levels of enthusiasm and interest as they play. This is evident when toddler-age children enjoy experimenting with mud and leaves in the inviting mud kitchen. They also have fun exploring construction vehicles outdoors. Staff actively join in and make learning fun. This supports children's curiosity, language development and imagination. It also provides opportunities for them to learn through their senses.

Older children show high levels of engagement as they make cakes with modelling dough. Staff warmly support them to discuss different toppings and help them to count birthday candles. This nurtures children's creativity, fine motor development and early mathematical skills. Children also enjoy painting self-portraits and discuss their unique characteristics such as hair and eye colour. Staff are very encouraging as children play. This supports children to develop a positive view of themselves.

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

• Children have frequent opportunities to learn through a range of exciting first-hand experiences. Staff organise regular trips in the local community that support their knowledge of the wider world. For instance, children enjoy learning about different animals when visiting the farm. They also make poppies and take them to the nearby cenotaph to celebrate Remembrance Day. This gives children a rich set of experiences and supports them to learn about nature, history and the community.
• Children's physical and emotional well-being is supported well. Children have daily opportunities to explore and play outdoors. They enjoy riding on bikes, using the slide and playing football. This helps them to lead healthy and active lifestyles and develop their physical skills.
• Children enjoy making independent choices during play and benefit from a good balance of child- and adult-led learning. During snack time, children show delight in helping to peel and cut fruits and pour their drinks. This helps to develop their confidence and independence.
• Staff interact positively with children and plan an interesting and well-sequenced curriculum. They show interest in children's play and engage in meaningful conversations. However, on occasion, not all staff make the most of opportunities that naturally arise to extend children's language skills and knowledge to the highest possible level.
• Staff model kindness and turn-taking effectively. They provide children with gentle reminders about expected behaviour. Consequently, children build positive relationships with the staff and peers. Older children collaborate well together and have daily opportunities to discuss their feelings. This supports children's emotional development and social skills.
• Parents express high levels of satisfaction with the nursery. They state that the staff are friendly and welcoming, and they feel very well informed about their children's learning. They also value the daily updates on the parent communication app and appreciate the wide variety of trips that children go on. Partnerships with parents are a strength.
• Leaders have good oversight of the running of the nursery. There are effective arrangements in place to monitor the quality of education. Staff have good opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills. For instance, they engage in training about developing the outdoor learning environment and the benefits of outdoor play. Staff's dedication to engaging in ongoing professional development contributes to improving outcomes for children.
• Leaders and staff have the same ambition for all children. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive timely and targeted support. Furthermore, staff work in close partnership with other professionals and parents. Additional funding is used very well. New resources are invested in to foster children's personal, social and emotional development and communication skills. Consequently, children make good progress during their time at the nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• consider ways to strengthen staff understanding of how to further extend and challenge children's language development.