Jack In The Box (Bosbury) Ltd @ Crib Cottage

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this nurturing, home-from-home environment. They happily enter the setting and confidently explore a wealth of resources that stimulate their curiosity and create awe and wonder. The calm and soothing atmosphere and routines move at the children's pace and promote excellent behaviour. Staff treat children with kindness and respect. They encourage children to do the same with their friends, resources and their environment.

Managers recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic has an impact on young children's social skills and lived experiences. Staff work hard to ensure they fill these gaps through rich opportunities and strong links with the community. Children explore and observe the seasonal changes in the natural environment. For example, during a walk children watch insects crossing their path, observe changes in leaves, explore shadows and take great delight watching 'wobbly, bouncy' bushes spring back as they touch them.

Staff have a secure understanding of what children already know, their next steps in their development and how to achieve them. Termly reviews of children's development are shared with management and parents. Any gaps in children's development are identified early, and adaptations in provision or external support are sought if required. Children have opportunities to revisit and practise learning to embed strong foundations to develop future life skills.

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

• Children learn through exploratory play and following their interests. The superb environment provides an opportunity for children to develop their core strength, balance and fine-motor skills. Children practise their large-muscle skills as they crawl, confidently take their first steps, toddle and walk around. Highly skilled staff encourage a can-do attitude and motivate children to be independent problem solvers. For example, as children climb, staff support them to find their way back down.
• Communication and language are a key focus area of the curriculum. Small-group sessions captivate children's interest and develop listening, communication and turn-taking skills. Familiar songs are heard all through the day, including routine times. For example, children smile with delight as they shelter in the woodland area during a rainstorm and sing songs about the rain, before exploring the puddles left behind.
• Children are encouraged to develop a love of books. They share cuddles and stories in the woodland setting with staff. They vocalise about their scrap books with photos from home in the book corner, and they independently access books, indoors and outside.
• Children are encouraged to live healthy lifestyles. Nutritious snacks and meals are provided along with water to promote oral health. Children enjoy outdoor exercise and daily walks, as the managers recognise this as important for their well-being. After a busy morning playing and learning, children rest or sleep as relaxing music plays gently in the background.
• Highly effective key-person relationships with children and parents ensure children feel safe and secure. Key persons meet children during home visits before they start and learn about their interests, likes, dislikes and routines to ensure smooth transitions into nursery.
• Settling-in visits, where parents are invited to stay, enable children to become familiar with the setting and build relationships with staff. Managers place great importance on close partnership working with parents to support the all-round development of children and provide exceptional care.
• Leadership and management are exemplary. Managers follow a rigorous recruitment and induction process to ensure all staff meet their high standards and expectations. They are passionate and proud of the excellent care and education they provide for all children. Managers work exceptionally hard to ensure all staff share their ethos. They are highly proactive in developing staff skills and knowledge, and they create an environment that treats and respects all children as unique individuals.
• Monitoring systems and support are in place for all staff to enhance the provision and outcomes for children even further. Managers empower staff to continually improve and value their experience, skills and new ideas. Staff consistently report high levels of well-being and feel supported by the managers. Furthermore, there are ambitious plans in place to use funding to support children's well-being, which includes installing an all-weather garden dome for music sessions.