Havelock Children's Centre

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are so happy to arrive at this nurturing and welcoming nursery. They are greeted warmly by staff, and are enthusiastic to play and learn. Children are keen to explore the environment. They freely access plenty of outdoor space and exciting experiences. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. Children are reminded to have 'kind hands' and use good manners throughout their time at nursery. They develop positive attitudes and focus on many experiences, including mixing paint colours, circle-time games and playing guitars.

Children learn and remember lots of songs. They join in enthusiastically when singing favourite songs and learning new ones. Staff put songs and music at the heart of this setting. Children come to life as they dance, play and sing. Staff encourage children to make many choices throughout the day. Children feel valued and happy. They put their thumbs up to say that they are good when staff ask them how they are. Children develop friendships with others, and treat each other with respect and kindness. For instance, they use sand timers to take turns, and split their dough in half to share with a friend.

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

• Staff plan and focus their curriculum around children's language development. They use a variety of strategies to support children to speak and learn new words. Therefore, when children go to school, they have made good progress and are confident communicators.
• Staff promote a love of reading and children develop a real interest in books. They read stories in an exciting and engaging way. Children enjoy books independently and talk about the book 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', which they read during story week.
• Children use numbers spontaneously in their play. They learn early mathematical concepts, such as when they take away monkeys in their favourite counting song.
• Children develop good independence skills. For instance, they clear away their own plates, find their water bottles and wash their hands.
• Younger children are prepared for the toddler room and have well-developed fine-motor skills. They make marks, use spoons to eat their snack, and build with construction blocks.
• Staff have an excellent knowledge of children, which helps them to plan a varied environment and stimulating activities. For example, children 'grow like trees' during yoga and make play dough together.
• Children develop good physical skills. They are very active in their play and make the most out of the extensive outdoor spaces. Children run after bubbles and score goals confidently in the large multi-use games area.
• Staff have good knowledge of how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They work seamlessly with outside agencies to support children with specific plans and targets.
• Staff have wonderful relationships with children and know them well. They have a good key-person system and update parents regularly with observations through an online journal. This helps parents to feel reassured and know what their children are learning.
• Staff place a focus on supporting children to live healthy lifestyles. Children try new fruits and vegetables at snack time and find out about the nutritional value. For example, they look for watermelon, and discuss how it is full of vitamin C and keeps their hearts healthy.
• Staff embrace the many diverse cultures in their setting. They help children to feel unique by celebrating special events and festivals. Staff encourage children to try naan bread at Diwali and make flags from different countries.
• Partnerships with parents are a key strength. Staff ensure that families are well supported. Communication between home and nursery is excellent. Staff help parents to support their children's learning at home.
• Staff feel happy and valued at this setting, and stay for long periods of time. They benefit from excellent communication, warm relationships, and support and respect from their team. Staff are good role models for children.
• The dedicated leaders and managers have a strong and cohesive vision for the nursery. They are passionate and reflective and work together to try and improve teaching and learning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff's knowledge of teaching and learning to help them teach children new concepts and build on what they already know.