Lammas Green Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive excited to attend nursery. They receive a warm and friendly welcome from the kind and caring staff team. Children say goodbye to their parents at the door and settle quickly. They show their independence as they take off their coats and self-register. Children move their names next to emotion cards to show staff how they are feeling. Staff are attentive to children's needs and talk to them about their emotions which supports their well-being. Children build strong attachments with their key person which helps them to feel safe and secure.

Staff provide an exciting and ambitious curriculum for all children. The current focus is on promoting children's personal, social and emotional development. Mindfulness activities are helping children to build their confidence and communicate with their peers. Children learn Makaton signs which encourages those less verbal children to express their needs. Staff support children to read short sentences, such as 'I am fantastic', which raises their self-esteem and help them to understand what makes them unique.

Staff have high expectations for all children. They provide clear boundaries and reinforce the nursery rules with the children. This helps children understand what is expected. Children show respect to their peers, they share resources and take turns.

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

• Staff provide a broad and sequenced curriculum. They plan activities to build on children's previous knowledge and extend their understanding. Staff know the children well. They observe their key children and identify their next steps. Children are encouraged to share their ideas which are added to the planning. Children are making good progress and are well prepared for their next stage of learning.
• Children's communication and language is promoted well. Staff engage children in discussions and ask meaningful questions. They give children time to think and answer. Children copy Makaton signs which helps them to communicate their needs. Staff enthusiastically share stories and sing with children. They use props and retell stories which extends their imaginations. Children enjoy learning new words which supports them to extend their vocabulary.
• Staff work in partnerships with parents. They provide daily feedback about children's learning experiences. Staff share information on courses and provide advice and guidance. However, not all parents are aware of their children's next steps or ideas to continue learning at home. Parents speak very positively about the staff team and the excellent care they provide. Children have made good progress, especially with their language development and confidence.
• Healthy lifestyles are promoted extremely well. Children learn the importance of drinking water to stay hydrated and the benefits of eating healthy food. They follow good hygiene routines and understand the importance of washing their hands. Staff provide activities to help children develop good oral health routines. Physical exercises for children have increased, including children walking to nursery. However, in the garden there are minor inconsistencies in the language being used by staff to further children's learning.
• Staff promote a culture of diversity and inclusion. Children make photo books of their families when they start. These are in English and children's home languages which supports them to feel valued. Children learn about festivals, try traditional foods and listen to music from around the world. Trips in the local area help extend children's understanding of people and communities that may be different from their own.
• The manager and special educational needs coordinator are passionate about supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They work closely with parents and make referrals to ensure children receive the help they need. Staff support children with language activities while they wait for appointments. Staff work closely with local schools to support children when they move on.
• The manager is passionate about her role and supports her staff team effectively. Regular supervision and targets help staff to raise the quality of teaching. The manager monitors practice and has recently focused on mathematics to address gaps in children's learning. Robust recruitment procedures are in place. Staff access training, seek views from parents and reflect on their practice to make further improvements.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• ensure all parents know their children's next steps and ideas to help them continue learning at home
• extend the vocabulary being used in the garden to enhance children's learning further.