Hale Synagogue Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

There is a wonderful sense of community in this friendly and welcoming setting. Children of all ages often play together, developing excellent social skills. For example, children collectively enjoy a movement class, delivered by an external provider. Joining together in this way promotes broad friendships and a sense of community pride. Staff and leaders are kind and offer children nurturing affection. There is a strikingly calm and relaxed atmosphere throughout the setting, enhanced by the relaxing music that plays during activities and routine tasks. Children are settled and happy in this home-from-home nursery.

Staff help children to develop their independence from an early age. Young children enjoy additional responsibilities, such as 'helper of the day'. They help to feed and take care of the pet turtle and cooperate with tidying up their toys. They wash their hands without prompt and put their coats on their pegs after outdoor play. Children confidently complete everyday routine tasks because they are provided with opportunities to have a go. Children show pride in taking responsibility for themselves and others. They learn to be responsible, self-assured and independent. Children are eager to play and motivated to learn. They excitedly explore activities with curiosity. Staff offer children a fun range of games, toys and tasks to keep children occupied and promote their sustained focus and engagement. For example, babies fill containers and splash in water, extending their hand-eye coordination. Older children enjoy creating large-scale chalk drawings outside, mastering their early writing skills in this fun way. The programme of learning and teaching is good, and children are well supported in their development.

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

• Leaders and staff clearly understand the nursery's vision and ethos. They are motivated and successfully deliver their mission statement through their everyday practice. The curriculum and care routines are delivered with clear intent 'to create a safe and nurturing environment where everyone can flourish'. Leaders promote staff wellbeing through a caring and compassionate approach. Staff are settled and happy. They work hard to offer children quality care and learning opportunities.
• There are subtle and appropriate adaptations and differentiations to activities, toys and equipment in each room throughout the nursery. These help to ensure that children benefit from a good level of challenge. The curriculum is well sequenced to build upon what children already know and can do.
• Children listen intently to staff, who deliver stories in an animated and engaging way. They read using impressive energy. Children are curious about books and develop a love of reading from an early age.
• Staff carefully manage mealtimes to promote children's welfare. For example, they remain nearby when children eat and remind them to remain seated to minimise risks. Staff noticeboards display information about children's allergies, and foods are served separately to protect those with additional dietary needs. This effective information-sharing and clear system promotes a collective understanding of children's needs and helps to keep them safe.
• Staff are extremely polite when talking to both children and their colleagues. They model good manners and are highly respectful. Children learn how to treat others first hand as they witness these polite interactions. In turn, children behave well.
• Partnerships with parents are effective. Parents share information about children's ever-changing routines and needs during detailed face-to-face conversations. Staff allow time for these important discussions at the beginning and end of every session. Parents also receive regular updates digitally, through an online system. This helps to ensure that children enjoy complementary care between the home and setting.
• Leaders are knowledgeable and experienced. Staff benefit from professional development and training opportunities to build their confidence and enhance their skills. Leaders support staff through regular supervision meetings. They have recently introduced peer observations to provide staff with regular feedback. However, the peer observations are not yet fully embedded to support staff with feedback on their ongoing practice.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• provide staff with more frequent feedback on their practice to extend their confidence and skills and impact positively on outcomes for children.