Kids Planet High Bank

Inclusion: Strong standard

Highly effective leadership embeds inclusivity across the setting. Staff closely monitor children's progress and very quickly identify when they need support. Leaders regularly review assessments and hold reflective discussions to decide on any interventions, involving parents and carers early. Staff make swift referrals to other professionals and maintain clear communication to ensure a highly coordinated approach. When children have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), staff use individual plans to guide their support and proactively review these regularly to reflect all children's emerging needs.

Staff benefit from a range of high quality training to support their inclusive practice. They describe how they have recently implemented strategies from communication and language training to support children with SEND's speech development. They explain the positive impact it has had on individual children's progress.

Leaders are quick to identify a range of different barriers to children's learning or wellbeing. These may relate to changes to children's home life or children who speak English as an additional language. Staff ensure all children gain a sense of belonging, for example, by providing resources to help children to see similarities and differences between themselves and others. Any additional funding is utilised judiciously in children's best interests.

Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard

Leaders have ensured that there is a clear curriculum, which is carefully sequenced and based on a very secure understanding of child development. They communicate this successfully to staff, who are very confident in describing what they want individual children to learn.

Highly effective teaching is a real strength of the nursery. Staff ask plenty of open questions to support children to develop their thinking skills. They use closed questions to assess children's understanding. Staff are excellent play partners, modelling skills to extend children's learning and giving suggestions about what they might do next. This is balanced extremely well and does not detract from children developing their own ideas and creativity.

There is a strong focus on promoting children's communication and language skills. Staff carefully select appropriate songs, and books to support children's learning. They introduce mathematical language systematically when toddlers cut fruit, for example, they compare shapes and sizes. Staff introduce effective strategies to support children to count and carry out simple calculations.

The curriculum and teaching at the nursery are ambitious for all children. Where children face barriers to their learning, staff are skilled at adapting their approach to make opportunities meaningful, for example, by introducing different resources.

Achievement: Strong standard

Children's progress across all areas of the curriculum is excellent. They develop a love of learning because of the wide variety of stimulating experiences provided. Through these activities, and daily routines, all children acquire a wealth of knowledge and skills to equip them for their next stage in learning, including transition to school. They develop age-appropriate skills, such as using cutlery, washing their hands and managing outdoor clothing. Also, importantly, children learn how to play alongside their peers, develop friendships and confidence in a range of different contexts.

Children who face any barriers to learning make clear and sustained progress from their starting points. Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities recognise their children's achievement and value the way they are encouraged to promote their children's learning further at home.

Children become confident communicators through a carefully sequenced approach. In the baby room, children start to vocalise through making sounds and babbling. This progresses as tots and toddlers start to use single words and use simple phrases. Older children develop a rich vocabulary, for example they describe the weather as 'gloomy'. When discussing a book, children confidently refer to the author and illustrator.

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Strong standard

Leaders have created a harmonious environment, where children feel safe and secure. Children form secure bonds with their key persons. Staff then encourage children to interact with other familiar adults. They are skilled at helping quieter children to develop their confidence as they gradually support them to play alongside other children, progressing to participating in collaborative play as they further enhance their skills. Consistent daily routines in every room contribute considerably to children's sense of belonging, and the nursery's calm and purposeful atmosphere. Younger children recognise that it is time for a nap as staff quietly help them to find their own mats.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. Their positive attitudes to learning are evident throughout the nursery as children play and learn together companionably. Staff are clear and consistent as they introduce different rules and boundaries, which are fully in line with children's ages and stages of development. Children who occasionally struggle to regulate their behaviour receive targeted support to help them to understand and manage their emotions.

Leaders are committed to working with parents to maintain regular attendance. They ensure parents recognise that establishing stable routines at home and at nursery supports children's transition to school.

Children's welfare and wellbeing: Strong standard

Leaders prioritise children's welfare and wellbeing. This is achieved successfully because they know the children and families who make up the nursery community incredibly well. Consequently, they ensure that the nursery's policies and procedures are fit for purpose. Children demonstrate strong attachments to staff as they welcome cuddles and reassurance.

The nursery team promote children's good health extremely well. Hygiene standards are effective and children become increasingly confident in managing their own care needs. The food provided is healthy and adheres to current nutritional standards. Arrangements for children with special dietary requirements are well established.

Embedded routines help children to learn about the importance of fresh air, exercise and rest. For example, older children engage in a physical activity, to expel some of their energy, before lunch. At the end of the activity, children lie down and practise deep breaths to regulate their bodies. Children's behaviour and manners at mealtimes are exceptional.

Staff support children to understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, they explain to toddlers how they might hurt themselves if they stand on chairs. Older children are learning about what is expected of them before staff start to light the firepit outside.

Leadership and governance: Strong standard

Leaders know the nursery exceptionally well. They review and evaluate the practice regularly, alongside senior leaders from the nursery group. Together, they identify ways to enhance provision even further.

Leaders recognise the needs of the community the nursery serves. They provide suggestions to support children's learning at home. They offer flexible times for drop-in sessions for parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders also share valuable information via the nursery app. Recently, this has included advice on how to manage a health emergency.

Staff describe occasions where leaders have recognised and rewarded their efforts. Staff benefit from opportunities to develop and enhance their practice through regular supervision sessions and by completing a wealth of training. Less-experienced staff explain how mentors have supported them to develop their practice. The culture of supporting continuous improvement is firmly embedded.

The provider notified Ofsted of an incident, where staff failed to follow the nursery's policy in relation to the handling of children. The provider carried out a full investigation and took prompt action to ensure training was reinforced and staff fully understood what was expected of them. This has been monitored rigorously, and practice is now fully in line with the nursery's policy.