Halesworth Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive at the nursery full of enthusiasm and anticipation for the day ahead. Young children beam with delight as they are greeted by their favourite staff member, while older children are full of chatter and cannot wait to join their friends in play. The exceptional staff team recognise these moments are so important and take the time that is needed to welcome children in. Consequently, children start their day full of confidence and knowledge that they are truly cherished.

Staff are passionate about their work and make the children their priority. As a result, children are highly motivated learners and spend their day engrossed in activities with staff or quietly undertaken by themselves. Younger children delight in the time spent outside. They copy staff as they learn to make sandcastles and use different tools as they play. Children seek out puddles to splash in, and show confidence as they move around safely in wet weather. Older children have a very good understanding of what is expected of them. They frequently remind their friends about the golden rules and find solutions to their occasional disagreements. Children are not afraid of challenges and take great pride in their achievements, such as putting on their shoes and coats.

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

• The management team demonstrate an outstanding level of dedication, enthusiasm and knowledge. They are inspirational for staff who reflect these same attributes along with a pure enjoyment of their roles. The ambitious curriculum is well considered and is highly effective for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Excellent partnerships exist with other professionals, schools and those in the community. This contributes well to children having the best start possible in their early years.
• Under the guidance of the highly skilled SEND coordinator, all staff support the needs of children with SEND exceptionally well. They show truly inclusive practice and this, together with robust partnership working, means children soon progress well from their starting points. Parents are quick to attribute this swift progress to the efforts and care shown by staff from the moment children start attending the nursery.
• Teaching is excellent throughout the staff team. Staff know children incredibly well and provide a wealth of activities that inspire children to explore, investigate and practise new or familiar skills. Good use is made of members of the community who visit to share skills, which stimulates new interests for the children. For example, children have a newly found fascination for boats after a visit from a sailor. Staff use every opportunity to teach children about the world around them and communities beyond their own.
• Staff place a high priority on children's language development. They carefully plan how they will thread certain words throughout discussions as children play. Interactions between staff and children are delightful. Over time, children learn to express themselves fluently and confidently use a wide vocabulary when speaking with staff and friends.
• Children demonstrate excellent concentration as they listen carefully at story time. Their love of reading is fostered well at these times. Children readily choose to look at books and even young children can be seen snuggling up with their favourite tales for extended periods of time.
• Self-evaluation is outstanding. Managers consider information from external sources, together with observations from their own provision, to make improvements. The impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed that everybody's well-being remains a priority, along with addressing any gaps in children's development. Staff's professional development is encouraged, and this has an excellent impact on their skill and knowledge.
• Parents offer the highest of praise for the staff team. They say that staff have time to answer their queries and offer support when family life is challenging. Others acknowledge that 'staff are all kind, attentive and have wonderful close bonds with the children.' Parents are well informed and given lots of ideas to support children's learning at home. They say their children's progress is 'amazing' and that the nursery offers children the 'best possible start to their educational journey'.