Hamd House Nursery - Sparkhill

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children and parents are greeted at the door and warmly welcomed into this excellent nursery by staff. Children excitedly leave their parents, eager to discover what enticing learning opportunities are available within their rooms. They enthusiastically start to talk with their friends and access a wide range of different activities and resources. Staff are superb at ensuring all children are settled and ready to start their learning. They are exceptionally caring and nurturing. They go above and beyond to ensure all children feel safe and secure. If children are a little reluctant to join in, staff sit with them and suggest other ideas or a different way of trying. For example, at snack time when children do not want to sit with others as they feel slightly overwhelmed, staff take them by the hand, reassure them and encourage them to eat.

All children enjoy lots of fresh air outdoors. Staff skilfully support children's understanding of the world around them. Children are very motivated to look at and explore the snow that has fallen overnight. Staff expertly use this as a brilliant teaching resource. They encourage children to look at and feel the snow. They talk about how it is cold and explore what happens if they hold it in their hands. Children recall past knowledge they have learned as they talk about the ice they put in their drinks in the summer to keep them cool. Children squeal with delight when a playful snowball fight ensues.

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

• Leaders and staff are passionate about the role they play in shaping young children's lives. High expectations for all children, and a desire for them to succeed and be successful as the next generation of role models, are what drive them to continually provide outstanding and excellent care.
• Highly qualified staff and a programme of extensive professional development equip staff with extensive knowledge about how children develop and learn. Staff report high levels of well-being and say they work together closely as a team. Exceptionally thorough oversight, and reviews of staff practice from leaders, ensures the quality of teaching is consistently outstanding.
• The ambitious and deeply well-thought-out curriculum is adapted to each child's individual needs. Leaders and staff strive for academic excellence. Even the youngest children are learning letter formation and sounds. They can count and recognise colours. Older children can recognise and write their own names. Children are exceptionally well prepared for school.
• Children are exposed to an astounding breadth of language. Staff consistently share and model new language. For example, at snack time, they talk about bananas containing potassium and milk containing calcium for our bones and teeth. Children absorb this information. They repeat the language and talk about other healthy foods that are good for them.
• Stories are used to inspire children's imagination. They are also used to assist in helping children understand feelings. When reading 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears', the children talk about how and why Baby Bear is upset because his chair is broken. Staff further enhance this opportunity as children suggest ideas and put into practice how they can make Baby Bear happy by mending his chair.
• Children who speak English as an additional language are extremely well supported. Staff use flash cards and put into place intensive one-to-one support. They all receive training in using language tools effectively. Consequently, children make rapid progress in their learning.
• Highly effective assessments ensure any gaps in learning are swiftly identified. Staff gather detailed information from parents and use meticulous observations to assess the progress children make. The nursery has links with other professionals who provide specialist care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. It welcomes this collaborative partnership and puts into place individual support plans for children. This ensures all children make the progress they are capable of.
• Partnership with parents is phenomenal. Parents say the nursery and the staff are amazing. They value the support they receive and say that they are made to feel like family. Regular parents' evenings are held termly, where staff share the progress children are making. Homework is sent weekly, and parents receive support with their child's learning at home. Parent workshops are offered, where they can attend and learn information to support them. For example, they learn about oral health and the importance of brushing teeth. The nursery provides a library of books and toys that children can borrow and take home.
• Children's behaviour is exemplary. They demonstrate the characteristics of effective learning extremely well. They sit and listen and follow instruction superbly. Children have a thirst for learning and a desire to be the best they can be. They help each other, work together and, importantly, have fun. Children especially like painting the snow outdoors different colours. They show each other what they are doing and praise each other for their efforts.
• The nursery curriculum is flexible. Staff are brilliant at adapting this for individual children. For example, when children feel under the weather and do not want to go outdoors, staff bring snow indoors for them to explore and build a snowman. This ensures all children have access to the excellent teaching and learning on offer.