Leapfrog Day Nursery West

Inclusion: Strong standard

Leaders and staff gather information about children in highly effective ways to determine whether children need additional help. They speak with parents and carers before children start at the nursery to identify any early concerns about development. Staff carry out regular observations and assessments, including the progress check for children aged between 2 and 3 years, which helps to pinpoint any emerging needs. They act promptly to provide the right support, supporting parents to contact their local paediatrician or speech and language specialist when appropriate. Staff monitor children closely and use this information to plan transitions between rooms only when each child is ready. This responsive approach ensures children receive targeted support that helps them make progress.

Staff carefully and skilfully adjust activities to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and other vulnerable children. Additional funding is used effectively to support children's needs, for example by purchasing sensory resources or investing in staff learning and development. Some staff have also recently enrolled in specialist SEND training to further enhance the quality of the support children receive. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that strategies are consistent and meaningful. They make a positive and lasting difference to the development of children with SEND or those who face other barriers to learning.

Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard

Leaders prioritise delivering an ambitious curriculum. They train all staff in the setting's 'slow pedagogy' approach to ensure everyone understands it and implements it appropriately for each age and stage. Staff confidently apply this knowledge to plan purposeful learning experiences that meet children's developmental needs. Their consistent practice enables children to explore and learn at a pace that promotes engagement and secure progress.

Teaching is highly effective across the setting. Staff consistently interact with children in purposeful and meaningful ways. Babies benefit from a language-rich environment where staff model vocabulary and promote early communication throughout daily routines. Toddlers receive strong support to understand and express their feelings, with staff helping them recognise emotions such as 'happy', 'nervous' or 'sad'. Mathematical concepts are clearly embedded across the setting. For example, children across the setting use numbers in their play, through building, counting objects or exploring quantities in the sand. In pre-school, children demonstrate secure early number knowledge, with some confidently matching quantities to numerals up to 20. As a result, children build confidence and make excellent progress in their learning and development.

Leaders ensure that the teaching and curriculum support all children effectively. Children who speak English as an additional language fully participate and thrive. Staff know them well and implement a range of strategies to support them. This enables children to build confidence and develop communication skills.

Achievement: Strong standard

Children make excellent progress from their starting points. This includes children who face barriers to their learning and children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. They grow rapidly in their confidence, independence and communication. Babies begin to use single words and gestures, while older children engage in rich conversations and demonstrate secure early mathematical understanding.

Children show great joy in their learning and approach activities with curiosity and enthusiasm. Their listening skills flourish as they follow instructions and participate positively in routines. They uphold the setting's shared values of patience and cooperation. Children are skilful communicators who interact well with others, form strong friendships and show excellent social skills. As a result, they have the essential knowledge and skills needed for future success and the next stage of their learning.

Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: Strong standard

Children demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They show a clear understanding of the high expectations that staff have for their behaviour. Children interact respectfully with peers, take turns, share resources and communicate their needs with increasing confidence. Staff model kindness and respect, offering frequent praise and encouragement that reinforces positive behaviour.

The setting's 'slow pedagogy' approach underpins calm and well-structured routines. Children take their time to fully participate in activities and learn new skills, such as talking about different feelings. Staff give children time to express how they feel and why. For example, during activities when making a face, children will say 'I am happy'. Staff use effective calming strategies, including yoga and music and movement sessions. This help children regulate their emotions, prepare for transitions and develop secure self-regulation skills. This enables children to engage deeply, build emotional understanding and develop age-appropriate confidence in managing their feelings.

Leaders monitor attendance carefully, ensuring children benefit fully from the curriculum. They work closely with families to promote punctuality and consistent attendance, offering support where needed. As a result, children engage fully, behave well and show readiness to learn throughout the day.

Children's welfare and wellbeing: Strong standard

Leaders prioritise children's welfare and wellbeing. Staff know children exceptionally well and create a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued and understood. Robust settling-in routines help children build secure attachments with their key people, giving them the confidence to explore and seek comfort when needed. Staff respond promptly to children's emotional needs, offering guidance and warm interactions that support self-regulation and emotional security.

Healthy habits are embedded through consistent modelling and daily routines. Children learn to wash their hands effectively, brush their teeth and make healthy food choices. Safer sleeping and eating procedures are followed rigorously, and staff provide attentive support during mealtimes, encouraging independence through tasks such as self-serving drinks and making choices. Partnerships with parents ensure continuity in sleeping, toileting, feeding and weaning routines, reinforcing children's wellbeing at home.

Children benefit from regular physical activity, including visits to local parks. This supports children's physical development and deepens their understanding of the natural world. Staff adapt routines and activities so that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or other barriers to learning can fully participate. Clear hygiene practices, safe food handling and secure first-aid arrangements ensure that children remain safe, secure and well cared for throughout the day.

Leadership and governance: Strong standard

Leaders have an insightful and accurate understanding of the setting's strengths and priorities for improvement. Since registration, they have worked purposefully to build a cohesive staff team, strengthen consistency and establish a well-planned curriculum that supports children's learning and wellbeing. Leaders are reflective in their approach and recognise that further developing the outdoor environment is the next stage in the setting's improvement journey. They understand that this will enhance children's physical development and provide even richer opportunities for exploration, investigation and learning outdoors.

Leaders have embedded a culture of high expectations, professionalism and continuous improvement. They value their staff team and make thoughtful decisions that protect staff wellbeing and manage their workloads effectively. Leaders recognise individual strengths and adapt roles to support professional development. For example, when a staff member expressed an interest in teaching Spanish, leaders enabled this to become part of the curriculum. This responsive approach contributes to a stable and motivated team. As a result, children benefit from secure, trusting relationships with adults who know them extremely well and provide consistently high-quality care and education.

Leaders inspire staff to reflect, embrace new ideas and continually refine their teaching. This creates a strong culture of professional curiosity, where staff confidently adapt their approaches to meet children's changing needs. Staff professional development is purposeful and has a clear impact on practice. Staff actively seek out training, research and professional learning opportunities that are closely matched to the needs of children attending the setting. As a result, children benefit from thoughtful, responsive practice that promotes their wellbeing, engagement and progress.