Hopscotch Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff provide wonderful experiences at this exceptional nursery. Children are inspired and highly motivated to learn as they fully immerse themselves in a rich and varied curriculum. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make excellent progress because staff develop a highly individualised programme that is fully inclusive. Staff have very high expectations of what the children can do and achieve. They challenge children and encourage them to continually ask questions. Consequently, children are curious and confident and demonstrate a remarkable awareness of the diverse world in which they live. For example, children learn about other cultures and beliefs through rich interactive experiences, both inside and outside the nursery.

Staff have detailed discussions about how even very young children can take some responsibility for their environment. Children are taught how to nurture nature and care for the planet. Children are knowledgeable and excited about recycling, growing plants, composting and raising awareness about issues, such as plastics in the ocean. Parents feed back that this approach has had a positive impact on their home life.

Staff have extremely high expectations for children's behaviour and model this well. They are respectful and kind, which positively impacts the way children treat both each other and the toys and resources. Staff in the baby room cuddle and sooth babies. They form extremely strong bonds with children, which gives children the emotional skills to positively transition through the nursery.

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

• Leaders are inspirational in their dedication to supporting the staff team. They prioritise their well-being and professional development. Staff undertake an extensive range of high-quality training that impacts on improvements in the setting. For instance, staff have received ongoing training in understanding brain development in babies and the impact that physical exercise has on children's language skills. This has helped staff to gain more awareness of how they could identify and support children's emerging needs. Staff feel valued and listened to. They report that the leaders wholeheartedly invest in them and actively encourage them to 'play to their strengths' throughout the nursery.
• The entire staff team works together and goes above and beyond to support children with SEND. The staff establish an exceptional partnership with parents and outside agencies to secure additional help and gather an understanding of the precise support that they can offer. Staff offer targeted plans and one-to-one support, where needed. They work tirelessly to ensure that those children who need additional support achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Staff support children to develop a strong understanding of healthy lifestyles. All children take part in very regular exercise classes where they are encouraged to run around and follow a programme that children demonstrate they find enormous fun. Younger children and babies are supported to climb and push and pull their bodies over obstacles to help them to build up muscle and core strength. Staff are very aware of the impact that exercise and nutrition have on children's bodies. They take every available opportunity to discuss healthy eating. Children excitedly join in discussions about their favourite fruits and vegetables. They comment that water is the best 'brain fuel' for a day of learning.
• Staff are extremely skilled at delivering an impactful curriculum. For example, they use props, such as puppets, to tell stories. Children become excited. They are instantly quietened and mesmerised by the story of 'Jack and the Beanstalk'. They are taught new vocabulary, such as 'humongous' and 'ginormous', which they later on use in their own play. Staff use these occasions effectively to teach children a moral story. Children know that it is wrong to steal and they must always be kind to others.
• Children have tremendous fun at this nursery, and the sound of laughter echoes throughout. Staff are passionate and clearly enjoy working with children who, in return, respond very positively. Children arrive with the knowledge that they are going to have an exciting day ahead of them. They have the opportunities for some experiences that they may not previously have had before, such as visiting museums, bookshops and the food market to buy fresh ingredients. Children take part in community events, such as litter picking on the beach. Families are encouraged to be involved in regular events and to play an active part in their child's education.