Harlequin Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging in this welcoming nursery. They form strong emotional bonds with their key person and other staff. Leaders place a high priority on developing children's friendships across the nursery. Babies and older children start the day by having breakfast together, which staff use to promote their social development well. Children play together, showing much cooperation and friendly behaviour with others. Staff use books and props to teach children how different emotions might make them feel and behave. Children begin to understand how their actions can impact on others.

The nursery's curriculum is dynamic and clearly sequenced. The babies in the 'Little Explorers' room are well supported by staff as they explore their indoor and outdoor environments. For example, they discover the properties of natural materials, such as sand. Staff show babies how to use resources, for example buckets and spades, to enhance their learning. Babies develop their hand-eye coordination as they learn how to carefully scoop sand into the buckets. Staff are very responsive to children's individual needs. They sensitively encourage quieter children to participate in the daily routines and activities. This strongly supports children's self-esteem and builds their confidence to be active learners.

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

• Leaders value the skills of the staff team and support them well. Staff have regular supervision meetings with leaders to discuss their roles in the nursery. Leaders give staff opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills further through accessing relevant training and in team meetings. They fully involve the staff team in creating and adapting the curriculum to meet the needs of different children.
• Leaders target additional funding that some children receive to enhance their learning and development. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported. Staff work closely with parents and carers and other childcare professionals to ensure that children have the additional support they need.
• Staff plan visits to local parks and the beach. They use these visits to encourage children to discover the unique features of different environments. Children help to look after the nursery's rabbits. They gently stroke the rabbits and offer them fresh vegetables to eat. Children develop an appreciation of the world around them and begin to understand the importance of caring for nature and living things.
• Staff's interactions with children are generally meaningful. They hold conversations with children about their interests and listen carefully to what children tell them, which nurtures children's self-esteem and confidence.
• However, occasionally, staff focus more on asking closed questions. This limits opportunities for children to fully express their ideas and develop their thinking skills.
• Staff manage children's care needs consistently in a caring and respectful manner. They fully encourage children to become more confident, for example, in managing their own self-care needs, such as washing hands and going to the toilet. Staff are always close by to offer children support and encouragement. Children become increasingly independent over time.
• Staff provide many opportunities for children to learn about the lifestyle choices that support their health and well-being. For example, they teach children, including the babies, about the importance of brushing their teeth and healthy eating. The catering team provides nutritious snacks and meals that promote children's good health and helps them to develop positive eating habits.
• Leaders highly value the strong partnerships they have with parents. The feedback from parents is very positive. They comment on the high standards of care children receive from the dedicated staff team. Parents know their children love attending the nursery and that children are safe and happy.
• Children enjoy participating in the daily routines throughout the day. Older children show much pride as they take responsibility for setting the tables for lunch. Toddlers in the 'Tweenies' room know they must hang their coats up when they come in from playing outside. Staff praise children's good manners and kindness, such as taking turns with popular resources.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff's interactions with children further by using more questions that encourage children to share their ideas and develop their thinking skills.