Just Imagine Day Nursery Ltd - Vange

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff transform lives for children at this exceptional nursery. Leaders and staff have developed a curriculum that is ambitious and highly effective in supporting all areas of learning. The intent is clearly focused and prepares children for their next stage in education. Teaching is tailored to reflect the experiences, needs and strengths of individual children. This includes the most disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

There is a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, with children supported to explore and name feelings such as happy and sad. Staff place high value on nurturing empathy, kindness and respectful relationships from the earliest age. In the younger room, staff are highly attuned to nonverbal cues. They skilfully interpret gestures and babble, turning them into meaningful interactions. Staff provide warm, sensitive care, ensuring babies form secure attachments. For example, when children take a tumble, staff offer immediate comfort and reassurance, helping to quickly rebuild children's confidence.

Children's behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary. They follow instructions and show empathy for one another. Staff create an inclusive culture where children's views are valued. They are supported to make choices and express their preferences. Children place photos on their coat pegs, which contributes to a strong sense of identity and connection within the nursery and community.

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

• Inspirational leaders demonstrate a strong and clear vision for what they want children to learn. Their curriculum is bespoke and thoughtfully designed in the recognition of the specific context of the nursery. It is underpinned by 'four pillars' that promote clear aims. These principles are consistently and securely embedded across daily practice and routines.
• Children benefit from consistently high-quality teaching that is responsive, nurturing and sharply focused on their individual learning needs. Staff have a deep understanding of how young children learn and use this knowledge to plan rich and meaningful experiences that capture children's interests and develop their skills.
• Teaching is of a consistently high standard. Expert staff are highly skilled in extending children's thinking and language through rich, play-based interactions. Children are supported to express themselves confidently. During mark-making activities, staff encourage children to notice features to add to drawings. They ask pertinent questions such as 'What colour is my beard?', supporting children to develop their observational skills.
• Staff adapt activities to suit children's developmental stages. For example, when using balance scales, staff model vocabulary such as 'heavier' and 'lighter'. They encourage children to predict what will happen when water is added to the bucket. Staff revisit the activity with older children to deepen understanding of concepts such as equal weight and balance.
• Staff are highly responsive to children's curiosity. When children discover a spider, staff support their interests while reinforcing safety messages. Children remember to tell an adult when spiders have patterns on their backs as these may be unsafe to handle. They know that they must take care of their garden friends and put them in a safe place.
• Older children demonstrate a secure understanding of complex ideas. For example, they correctly identify nocturnal animals after listening to the story 'Owl Babies'. Staff share their experiences of seeing a fox during the day. This helps children to challenge their own ideas and develop their thinking.
• Specialist staff work extremely closely with families and external professionals to offer tailored support to children with SEND. Strategies are shared and reviewed regularly. The nursery values professional input and uses it to enhance the provision and outcomes for children.
• Equality and inclusion are central to the curriculum. Children are nurtured as unique individuals and given opportunities to express their identity and voice. Staff intentionally promote positive attitudes towards difference and diversity. They use books and resources that celebrate a range of backgrounds.
• Leaders promote high expectations for all children. Staff are empowered through strong professional development and supportive leadership. Apprentices thrive in the environment. They benefit from mentoring by skilled and experienced practitioners. Leaders have implemented strong internal quality assurance systems. They have developed detailed action plans to ensure continuous improvement.
• Parents speak highly of the nursery. Children are described as becoming more confident and independent. Parents note specific improvements in communication and sharing skills. They commend staff for supporting the transition to school. They describe children as being 'thoroughly excited' to be starting school and attribute this to the excellent preparation from the nursery.