Ivy House Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are welcomed warmly by their key person as they say goodbye to their parents at the door. Staff say how well the system works with children who have now developed confidence and secure attachments with the caring staff team. This helps to prepare children for routines that they will follow at school. Staff provide a calm and nurturing environment, which enables children to feel safe and secure. Children and babies settle quickly and demonstrate their strong bonds with staff. Staff know children well and are attentive to their needs. Children are confident to explore and show a positive attitude to their learning.

Staff give children clear instructions for what is expected of them during the day. As a result, children follow these with ease as they line up when it is time to go inside for lunch and wait patiently until it is their turn to wash their hands. They are kind and considerate to each other and know how to share resources appropriately. Staff plan an effective curriculum for children's physical development. Children enjoy playing in the outside area, running, kicking different-sized balls and climbing. Children have daily opportunities to visit the dance studio, where staff plan a range of active sessions, including yoga, to further enhance children's physical development.

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

• The dedicated management team has devised a broad and ambitious curriculum, covering all areas of learning, that is based on the learning needs and current interests of the children who attend. Overall, the enthusiastic staff team implements the curriculum effectively across the nursery, supported by a strong management team.
• Staff communicate well and speak clearly to children to develop their language skills. Children talk about what they are doing and learn to use their imaginations, such as when they pretend to make a cup of tea for their friend. As a result children's language skills are developing well.
• Children's personal, social and emotional development is supported, as children play an important role in protecting the environment. The setting has been awarded an 'eco award' for looking after their environment. The committee consists of children, staff and parents who are all eager to learn about recycling by supporting this in the setting and at home.
• Staff generally know their key children well. They understand children's stages of development and what they need to learn next. Children make progress in their learning, as staff incorporate their next steps into the activities they plan. However, when children transition to another room, their new key person does not always know what children's learning targets are. This means that children do not always experience consistency in their learning.
• Staff's professional development is a high priority. Managers use regular supervision sessions and performance management procedures to help to identify where staff need training. Staff comment on how managers support their overall well-being.
• Children benefit from experiences that further enhance their knowledge of the wider world. They visit the local market to buy fresh ingredients, which helps to strengthen community links and give children opportunities to explore by taking trips out into the town.
• Children and babies are developing a love of reading and enjoy a wide range of books and nursery rhymes. Staff enthusiastically read stories and the children's laughter fills the room. Children join in with familiar words and phrases. In addition to this, children and parents borrow books to read together at home, which promotes children's continued learning.
• Staff plan well, overall, to support young children to develop positive attitudes to learning. Babies are eager to investigate adult-led activities. However, the routine of the day means babies spend considerable time having to wait. As a result, they are not always supported to develop key skills such as making independent choices.
• Partnership with parents is a strength of the nursery. Parents speak very highly about the service they receive and praise the work that staff do. Parents value the workshops and courses that the nursery invite them along to. This strong partnership helps to support children's learning and development.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen the key-person system to ensure staff know their key children's learning targets when children transition to new rooms
• strengthen the curriculum for the youngest children to support them to develop positive attitudes to learning.