Kensal House Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff form strong and trusting relationships with children. They create a warm and supportive environment where children feel settled. Children arrive with smiles, eager to explore the engaging activities that staff thoughtfully plan to reflect children's interests. Leaders have high aspirations for all children. The curriculum is carefully structured throughout the nursery. Staff build on children's existing knowledge and abilities. Mealtimes are designed to mimic a restaurant setting, where babies hold their own water beakers and older children pour drinks and scrape their plates independently. This promotes children's growing independence and prepares them with important life skills.

Staff clearly communicate their expectations to children and explain why certain behaviours are unacceptable. As a result, children exhibit good behaviour, using polite manners and taking turns. They are confident and eager to learn. Staff are positive role models, demonstrating politeness and attentiveness by listening to what children have to say. Children reinforce their understanding by retelling stories through activities that staff plan linked to core texts. Staff also encourage children to recognise potential hazards while assessing the risks on outings, for example during forest school. This helps children to learn how to stay safe. During nappy changing times, staff engage with children warmly, further fostering a sense of safety and security.

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

• All children make progress from their starting points in learning. Children who require extra support to close any gaps in their learning benefit from targeted teaching that helps them advance. They develop the necessary skills for the next stage of their education.
• The nursery's transition procedures involve close collaboration with parents and carers. Staff support children effectively as they move to the next room based on their age, as well as their eventual transition on to school.
• Staff value the support from leaders and feel their views are considered in the nursery's self-evaluation. They also appreciate the tailored opportunities for their professional development, which positively impact children's outcomes.
• The dedicated leaders have a clear vision for the nursery and ensure high-quality care and education. Staff collaborate effectively and are clear about the learning goals for children. They observe children closely and plan for their next steps in learning. Overall, staff offer activities that capture children's imaginations and engage them well. However, at times, due to large group sizes, some children wait for long periods for interactions from staff. This means that they become disengaged, which can cause them to lose focus and become distracted from the learning activity.
• Staff create opportunities for children to take risks in a safe manner. For instance, they encourage children to develop new skills, such as using a knife to cut fruit during snack time. This fosters children's growing independence.
• Staff support children's language and communication development effectively by using props, visual aids, actions and signs. They ask questions, give children time to respond and introduce a wide range of vocabulary through core texts and diverse learning activities.
• Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents provide positive feedback on the nursery and their children's progress. Staff provide regular updates on their children's development and next steps. Parents value the cultural events the nursery offers that promote their children's positive identities and respect for diversity.
• Staff help children to develop mathematical concepts. Younger children learn numbers through songs and matching quantities to numerals while exploring shapes. Older children enjoy using measuring tools, such as tape measures and scales, to compare length, weight and height, using terms such as 'heavier'.
• Staff plan outings to enhance children's learning. For example, they take children to visit places of worship and local parks where they can run, jump, climb and navigate various terrains. This helps to strengthen children's coordination, balance and physical confidence.
• Staff support children to develop healthy attitudes by partnering with parents to ensure that children have access to nutritious meals. They teach children about the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods, discussing the benefits of vegetables, such as carrots, at mealtimes. Children also learn to brush their teeth and lead active lifestyles.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review group activities to maximise all children's engagement in their learning.