Jumpin Jacks

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are very happy, content and confident. They settle quickly, developing close relationships and strong bonds with staff. Children confidently explore and experiment in their play. They rise to staff's high expectations for their success. Babies flourish in the care that they receive from the warm and knowledgeable staff. For example, they confidently pick objects hidden in a bag that remind them of their favourite songs and nursery rhymes. Babies sing with enthusiasm. Children are imaginative and creative. They love to dress as characters from well-known books and create their own stories. During group and story times, children listen intently. They become engrossed in activities and show a clear enjoyment of new experiences.

Children learn about healthy lifestyles. They enjoy the many opportunities that staff create for them to be outside and active. Children learn about the importance of healthy choices of food through, for example, their role play and discussions at mealtimes. They are very well behaved. Children respond very positively to staff's praise and guidance, helping them to feel safe and secure at all times. They take good care of themselves and others. Children know that they need to share their favourite toys and, for instance, make very good use of sand timers to do this.

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

• The well-qualified manager provides strong, well-informed leadership and a clear direction for future development. She supports staff to research and review the procedures for planning and organisation, to provide the best for all children. The manager is very ably supported by her knowledgeable and committed senior staff team.
• Staff help children to develop their problem-solving skills well overall. For example, children make large tunnels that they can walk through using construction materials. Staff encourage children to try different ways to make doors that open and close. Sometimes, however, staff do not fully support children's thinking and reasoning skills. For instance, when staff ask children questions, they do not always give them time to think and respond before they provide an answer themselves.
• Staff prioritise the development of children's speaking skills. They plan to build on children's language skills and to enrich their vocabulary. For example, staff skilfully show children how to say new or difficult words by maintaining close facial contact and carefully pronouncing new words. They support children to use new words in different contexts to help them remember them. For example, children are encouraged to use descriptive words about autumn in sensory play and in their paintings and modelling, role play and construction activities.
• Children enjoy many opportunities to sit with staff to share a favourite book and listen to well-told stories. They learn to anticipate what will happen next and to relish repeating phrases from familiar books. Children have many opportunities to take books home and share their enjoyment with their parents.
• Staff are very aware of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's social and personal skills. They work with parents to ensure that children have familiar toys and activities when they first start, and they help children to build bonds with staff and other children. Throughout the pandemic restrictions, staff kept in touch with families and offered ideas and resources for children to complete at home.
• Staff contribute significantly to children's awareness of healthy living. They introduce them to real fruit and vegetables in the home corner, which children slice and chop with great skill. The nursery provides nutritious meals, sometimes with ingredients the children have grown. Children take great pride in serving themselves.
• Staff teach children to listen carefully and follow instructions. They create a calm and organised environment where children feel safe and respected. Staff help children to explore their feelings, for example by encouraging them to talk to a puppet and to listen to stories about different emotions.
• Parents hold very positive views about the nursery. They welcome how happy and eager to learn their children are. Parents appreciate the guidance that staff provide. They praise the detailed feedback they frequently receive, particularly during the pandemic. Parents feel that their children are well prepared for their future learning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• focus professional development on ensuring that staff give children time to respond to questions to further deepen their thinking and reasoning skills.