Hummingbirds Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff show warmth and kindness when they welcome children into nursery. They carefully plan the curriculum to ensure that they provide children with the core skills and knowledge they need to help prepare them for the next stage of their learning. All staff know the children extremely well. They are consistent in their approach to meet children's individual needs and help them make good progress in their learning in preparation to go on to school.

Children are curious as they explore and enjoy a range of stimulating and exciting play opportunities that meet their interests and next steps. Staff have a clear understanding of the intent of activities and how to implement these. For example, staff sit with children for story time. They encourage children to recall what they have learned previously and predict what happens next. Children excitedly join in and share their ideas about the next part of the story.

Relationships between staff and children are positive and respectful. Staff are excellent role models and expertly help children to follow routines. For instance, when a fire drill happens, children instantly know what to do. Staff calmly and safely take children to the assembly point. They help children remain calm and reassured so they know they are safe. Staff sing to children as they wait, and they enthusiastically join in.

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

• Staff meet regularly with management or their room leaders to have supervision meetings. These meetings support staff to fully understand their roles and responsibilities. Staff engage in a variety of in-house and external training to build on their professional development. They comment that they feel like valued members of the team.
• The majority of staff are confident with delivering the curriculum and ensuring that activities provide challenge for children in their learning. However, some staff are not as confident in adapting their teaching techniques during activities. For example, there are times when staff ask questions in quick succession. They do not always allow children the time to process what is being asked of them. This means that not all children are fully able to reach their highest potential.
• Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is excellent. Management and staff are proactive in identifying where children may be falling behind in their development and putting effective plans in place to meet these. They engage well with other professionals and parents to ensure that all children receive the support needed to make progress in their development.
• Parents speak highly of the care their children receive. Staff inform parents about the different activities and experiences they provide for children. They share updates of children's current next steps. Sometimes, staff share information with parents to support developmental stages, such as potty training. However, staff do not always extend this to all families to ensure that they provide the same support for all children's future learning and development at home.
• Children explore activities that promote their good health. For example, they make pretend porridge and add different toppings. Staff talk to them about making healthy choices and how this can affect their teeth. This promotes awareness of oral hygiene. Staff provide nutritious and balanced meals for children. Children wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.
• Staff provide a relaxed and calm atmosphere that helps children to remain engaged and concentrate on their learning. They are patient and consistent with managing children's behaviours. For example, staff come down to children's eye level to explain the expectations to them. Children listen and respond positively when staff speak to them, helping them to develop their understanding of the expectations and how to manage their behaviours.
• Staff celebrate what makes children unique. Children proudly display their creations on the wall and talk about these with their friends and staff. This helps them have a sense of belonging and promotes their self-esteem. Children discover different cultural events their friends may celebrate, helping to develop their understanding of the world around them.
• Children thoroughly enjoy playing in the water tray. They choose from a selection of different fruits and herbs as they make their concoctions. Children use a pestle and mortar with confidence to grind mint and juice from a lemon together. Staff repeat words, such as 'squeeze' and 'tangy', as they explore. Children confidently repeat these, helping to develop their vocabulary.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• share even more information with parents to help them support children's learning and development at home
• continue to develop staff confidence with teaching techniques, to enable children to reach their fullest potential in learning and development.