German Kindergarten London Fields

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive at this exceptional learning environment highly motivated and with a positive attitude to their learning. They are immensely curious and remain deeply absorbed in their play throughout the day. Staff respond to children's interests with genuine excitement and passion. For example, children and staff show wonder and awe when they discover ladybird larvae on the tree outside. Children rush to get their magnifying glasses for a closer look.

The curriculum is inspiring and consists of a wide range of innovative and vibrant activities. Staff have a clear and concise plan of what they want children to learn and experience. All children make excellent progress, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff and children are incredibly proud of being part of the recently introduced eco-project. Children demonstrate a strong understanding of looking after their environment and being responsible. For example, parents comment that their children remind them 'not to use too much water' at bath time because they have been learning about preserving water.

Children are incredibly happy, content and confident. They show impeccable behaviour. Staff embed the routine deeply and children know exactly what is happening throughout the day. Children are respectful towards their friends and staff, and this contributes to the warm and kind atmosphere felt throughout the nursery. On the rare occasions when children have disagreements with each other, they talk through how they are feeling in a respectful and gentle way. For example, children calmly explain to others the reasons why they hurt their feelings. The bonds between children and their friends and children and staff are deep rooted, genuine and incredibly loving.

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

• The manager is inspirational. She goes above and beyond in providing all children with a high-quality education and nurturing environment. The manager is passionate about creating a strong staff team. Staff comment on how supported and empowered they feel. There is a true sense of community throughout the nursery. Everyone is respected and valued in the nursery.
• Staff are incredibly nurturing, present and engaging. They expertly help children to recall their previous learning. For example, children enthusiastically name the different countries they have been learning about. They giggle with delight as they use their imaginations to 'fly on the aeroplane' with staff to Australia. Staff remember the different family members children have in different countries and this helps children to feel included and important.
• Staff use their expertise to promote children's excellent communication skills. They initiate conversations by narrating children's actions and expanding on what children say. Staff are seamless in how they actively listen to what children have to say and build on this. Children have an extensive vocabulary and are highly confident to share their ideas. For example, when discussing colours, staff ask children how they would describe the colour ginger. Children suggest, 'It is orange but lighter.' Staff then extend this further by asking children to consider what other things are ginger, such as tea. Staff take the time to explain what certain words mean. For example, that 'film' is a thin piece of plastic.
• To support their move on to school, staff teach children the skills they will need to access learning. This enables children to have a strong start. Parents comment that their older children, who have since left the setting, settled in extremely well because of the way staff prepared them. Staff meet with school teachers and provide detailed reports on children's learning, development and interests.
• Staff strongly advocate for inclusiveness and diversity. They engage in thoughtful, age-appropriate discussions with children about celebrations, such as Pride. Parents are invited for different events throughout the year and share their fond memories of singing German songs in the local park with their children and staff.
• The manager invests in regular coaching and training opportunities for all staff to continually strengthen the excellent teaching across the setting. This has a positive impact on children's overall development. For example, recent training in speech and language has enabled staff to use different techniques in how they communicate with the children.
• Partnerships with parents are superb. Parents speak extremely highly of staff and the excellent care their children receive. The manager and staff use a range of communication methods to share information about children's learning. This means that children's development is consistently supported at home and in the nursery. Parents value the weekly trips to the forest and the time children spend outside every day. They comment how much progress they have observed in their children since starting at the nursery, particularly around respecting other other and how to take care of the planet.
• Staff make highly effective use of the natural outdoor environment to promote children's physical development in excellent ways. Children independently engage in activities as soon as they are outside, such as playing football, climbing and hunting for insects. They show excellent behaviour as they transition from indoor to outdoor play, waiting to line up and getting themselves dressed and ready. Children show a strong understanding of how to look after themselves and how to keep themselves healthy.