Jubilee Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children happily enter this large, yet warm and friendly, nursery. They are quick to settle, confidently separate from parents, and feel safe and secure. Staff greet children enthusiastically and with a smile. Children are comfortable with staff and approach them when needed. Staff have a good relationship with children and are calm and caring. Children are content and engaged in their play. They make friendships easily and welcome new children. Children interact well with each other and are kind to their peers.

Staff focus on developing children's communication, language and independence. These were identified as areas impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff talk to children consistently throughout the day. They ask children lots of questions about activities that they are taking part in. This is particularly of benefit to children who speak English as an additional language (EAL) and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff encourage independence to ensure that children are school ready. Children take themselves to the toilet and wash their hands. They are supported to choose their own food at snack and lunchtime and pour their own drinks. Staff encourage this independence from a young age, with children showing increasing skill and control.

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

• Staff know children well and are quick to establish their starting points. They have a clear understanding of children's next steps. Staff ensure that all children thrive in an inclusive environment. The special educational needs coordinator supports staff to ensure that they have a secure knowledge of children with SEND and EAL. Staff plan the environment effectively around all children's needs.
• Children have access to a wide variety of resources inside the nursery. Children spend a lot of their time outdoors in a vast outside space. This area includes a farm with animals, forest school and woodland. Children learn to care for the animals and their needs, they grow their own vegetables, and experience endless opportunities. This supports their physical, personal, social and emotional development.
• Children are kind and polite. They show respect for each other and staff. However, on occasion, staff do not reinforce their expectations consistently. For instance, at times, they do not remind children of why they should not run inside or why it is not safe to climb on the furniture. This does not fully support children to understand how to behave well.
• The manager celebrates staff's personal accomplishments. She seeks feedback from parents, highlighting staff achievements, and recognises these on a 'shout out' board. Staff are fully supported by management and can easily approach them. This supports the well-being of staff. The manager has a thorough knowledge of safer recruitment and ensures that required checks are complete.
• Staff meetings are held regularly to discuss topics such as safeguarding, SEND, allergies and food intolerance. Staff meet as a room to discuss the children, their required needs and planning. Staff attend one-to-one meetings with management. They are fully supported by management. This continued professional development helps to ensure that children learn and develop to their full potential.
• Parents are very positive about the nursery. They comment that children make good progress and develop well. Parents state that they receive feedback regularly at drop-off and pick-up times. They receive reports at the end of a term that show the progress made by their children. Parents feel that children with SEND are fully supported and included. They comment that staff collaborate with outside agencies to assist children's language and emotional development.
• Staff keep training up to date by attending online and face-to-face courses. They request training when it is needed, and the manager encourages this. This ensures that staff continually develop and improve their knowledge and skills. The proactive manager continuously strives to ensure that all staff reach their full potential.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to implement a more consistent approach to helping children to understand the rules and expectations of the setting.