Lawn Lane Day Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive here due to highly qualified staff who use their expert knowledge and skilful interactions to create a safe and enriching environment for all children. Children are happy to start their day and are greeted by kind and enthusiastic staff. All children quickly become engrossed in activities of their choosing which have been carefully planned and developed to suit all learners. This creates a warm, nurturing and highly stimulating environment.

Leaders have developed a unique curriculum, which is clear and ambitious for all children. In each room, there is evidence of this curriculum, including areas for children to practise their communication skills, be curious, cooperate with one another, be creative and develop their thinking skills. Staff expertly encourage children to explore their emotions through a range of activities and resources such as colour monsters to help children talk about how they feel.

Staff have developed close bonds with children and their families and work exceptionally well together to celebrate children's 'wow' moments, which are then proudly displayed in the foyer. Children have complete trust in the adults who care for them. This helps build children's confidence in their abilities from a very young age, which encourages a positive attitude to learning.

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

• Leaders are passionate in supporting staff and ensuring all aspects of nursery life are the very best they can be. There is a highly effective training and support programme for all staff. For example, apprentices work alongside more experienced staff to learn about the ethos of the nursery. They gain a deep understanding of how children learn and their role as educators. Leaders actively encourage all staff to broaden their knowledge with 'champion' roles in areas such as mathematics, food and nutrition. Leaders have created a passionate and dedicated staff team. As a result, staff are self-motivated and confident and are exemplary role models for children. Staff report morale is high, and they are proud to be part of a team that puts children at the heart of what they do.
• Staff gather a wealth of information about the children before they start. This enables them to plan for children's individual needs immediately. Children's progress is diligently tracked as leaders are aware of the benefits of early intervention. Parents are fully informed about their children's development at all times and are advised how they can support their children at home. Support is sought from other professionals when required. This ensures that all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress from their starting points.
• Staff understand the links between children's learning and their sense of pride and self-confidence. Leaders plan the curriculum with the input of other staff members so children can revisit learning often, ensuring it is fully embedded. For example, children learn about growing fruit, vegetables and flowers through stories and group discussions. They also plant vegetables and tend to them until they are ready to be harvested. Children are rightly proud to explain to visitors all they know about the care of plants. They then use this knowledge in their curiosity activities, for example using potatoes they have grown to practise their fine motor skills by peeling and cutting. By ensuring that learning is practical, fun and memorable, staff ensure that children are developing a thirst for knowledge and a positive mindset for learning.
• Children are supremely self-sufficient and adept at doing things for themselves. They take on the roles of helpers and assist staff in laying the table and reminding all children to wash their hands before lunch is served. Children competently serve their food at mealtimes and use cutlery while displaying impeccable table manners. Staff encourage children to be independent when finding and using resources. For example, children find an apron to wear when playing with the water and do their very best to put it on as staff encourage and celebrate their achievement. This helps build children's confidence and resilience.
• Parents say they feel exceptionally valued. They appreciate how staff support their children and value the communication they have with their child's key person. Parents overwhelmingly share positive feedback about the nursery's nutritional food offerings and support with life events happening outside of the nursery such as a new sibling. As a result, parents feel involved, listened to and welcomed.