Happy Jays

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children receive attentive care from dedicated staff in this inclusive nursery. Staff know each child remarkably well, providing one-to-one support for those needing extra help or to those who are settling in. This helps build extremely secure attachments. Transitions into the nursery and from room to room are exceptionally well organised. Children feel loved and safe, enjoying stories and daily outdoor activities that promote learning and development. Experiences such as beach visits and forest school sessions enrich their understanding of the world.

All children make very strong progress. Activities planned are interesting and purposeful. For example, staff help children to learn about sustainability. Staff teach children about the importance of using recycled materials in their play. They engage children and families in a project that helps to look after the environment.

Staff skilfully model mathematical language as children play. They engage children in regular baking activities, in which children learn about quantity and weight. Staff help children to understand language such as 'heavier' and 'lighter' as they weigh pine cones on scales. From a very young age, children are becoming familiar with numbers. For example, they enjoy listening to staff singing songs about 'Five Little Ducks'.

Children's physical health and development are highly prioritised. Staff use discussions about food, oral health and physical activity to instil healthy habits. Children's behaviour is exemplary, creating a harmonious setting where children become confident, independent learners. Staff set excellent examples, teaching emotional regulation and respect with outstanding manners.

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

• Support for children's communication and language development is commendable. Staff consistently engage in purposeful, high-quality interactions with children. They ensure that every opportunity is used to extend language skills. For example, staff narrate activities and introduce new vocabulary, such as 'splash' and 'stomp' as young children excitedly explore in water play. They expertly use sign language. Staff skilfully describe what is happening during activities, providing a running commentary that helps children link words to actions and experiences.
• Staff inspire parents to ignite children's love of books through a lending library. Children have access to a wide variety of books, which are placed at individual activities throughout the nursery. This expertly teaches children that books can be read for pleasure and for information.
• Partnerships with parents are excellent. Managers collaborate closely with families to help children reach their full potential. Parents commend the care their children receive and the progress they make, particularly in communication and emotional development. They describe staff as 'fantastic' and 'going above and beyond' to support their children's success.
• Children's independence develops excellently through established routines. Staff know each child exceptionally well and encourage children to take responsibility. For example, children practise putting on wetsuits and boots for outdoor play. During meals, older children learn to serve themselves and help to clear away. These experiences significantly help children acquire practical life skills.
• Staff show great respect towards children and value their opinions and thoughts. Strong modelling from staff, along with constant encouragement, help children take a lead in their learning. For example, younger children select items to sing songs about, such as a 'bus'. Older children choose to create pictures by sprinkling powder paints and water onto paper.
• Staff have high ambitions for all children. Children who speak English as an additional language benefit from tailored support programmes and make excellent progress. Staff value diversity and recognise each child's uniqueness. They help children to learn about differences in families. Staff gather information from parents when children first start, such as key words in their home language. They plan meaningful activities and events to learn about different cultures, such as the Hindu festival 'Holi'.
• Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is outstanding. Staff ensure that activities are inclusive for everyone. Calming spaces and sensory activities enable children to self-regulate their own feelings and behaviours well. Staff share strategies and resources with parents so that the children can make the best possible progress.
• The leadership team promotes excellence through a well-designed curriculum. Staff's morale and commitment to their roles are high, as staff know their value as part of the team. Children benefit from consistently strong teaching by motivated and skilled staff.
• Leaders demonstrate a tenacious passion for delivering exceptional care and education to children. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in the outstanding progress that children make. Funding is used to help to substantially improve children's progress in their learning and development and to narrow gaps in achievement. For example, staff attend training sessions to help them to tailor their skills to children's needs.