Holly Bank

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive and make exceptional progress in this highly stimulating and language-rich environment. From the moment children arrive, they become immersed in a range of challenging and exciting experiences. For example, children manipulate dough mixed with daffodils. They learn about different textures and talk about scents and aromas. Children delight in the wonder of nature as they take part in forest-school sessions. For example, they carefully make wooden bird boxes using hammers and nails. Children create bird nests using small tree branches, and they make bird feeders using fresh oranges and seeds. Children have wonderful opportunities to develop their knowledge. For instance, they use binoculars to spot birds and nests in the nearby trees. The inspirational staff plan science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities to add to the already exceptional activities on offer. For example, children contribute ideas to make a moving robot.

Children's behaviour across the nursery is exemplary. Staff support them to develop positive attitudes and to develop secure friendships. During their play, children work together with their friends to achieve what they set out to do. They show high levels of concentration, perseverance and resilience. For example, toddlers work seamlessly together as they play with guttering and water to create waterfalls. Staff know the children exceptionally well and have a detailed knowledge of what children are interested in and what they need to achieve next. For instance, staff use stories and books to increase children's concentration and to expand their knowledge of different topics. Staff model clear pronunciation, which enhances children's speech and language. Staff are highly professional and knowledgeable.

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

• Staff are highly motivated and have high expectations for children. They provide children with a highly ambitious curriculum. Staff ensure that their quality of teaching is pitched at the highest level to engage children and support their learning. Older children learn to sit well in groups. For example, they listen attentively during a Spanish lesson and take part in singing Spanish songs. Younger children enthusiastically go 'walking in the jungle', thinking about the animals that they might see.
• Children develop excellent independence skills from an early age. They put on outdoor wet suits, boots and coats independently in preparation for outdoor play. Older children help to set up for lunch and take part in weekly cooking classes.
• Staff skilfully support children's physical development. They help younger children to learn to safely climb steps in the outdoor play area. Older children learn to climb the steps on climbing frames. Staff use discussions, activities and visual aids to help children to learn about good oral hygiene and healthy eating. They talk to children about how milk contributes towards developing strong bones and teeth.
• Staff exchange a wealth of information with parents on entry, and thereafter. Staff share information about activities, offer parents a lending library for books and send home activity bags. Children and their parents take part in special events, such as a 'space' themed stay-and-play session. Babies' parents are invited to sensory sessions. Support for the most disadvantaged children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, is incredibly well targeted.
• Managers continually strive for excellence. They lead the team extremely well, coaching them to reflect on their practice and develop their excellent knowledge even further. Staff supervision and appraisal meetings precisely identify their training needs, which are promptly sourced. For instance, baby room staff benefit from additional training to further enhance their knowledge. Staff attend annual company training days which are meticulously planned to close any gaps in staff's knowledge.
• An annual team event for all staff contributes towards them feeling highly valued. Staff say that they are extremely well supported. They enjoy working at the nursery and say that their well-being is a high priority. Staff receive awards for demonstrating their enthusiasm in certain areas of interest, for example the desire to promote outdoor learning and passion in supporting children's well-being.
• Staff teach children about differences and similarities. For instance, children learn about celebrations such as Eid and Diwali. Children and staff visit places in the local area to help children to learn about their community. For instance, they visit a local care home and the library. Children benefit greatly from the outstanding focus placed on supporting their emotional needs and well-being.