Leapfrog Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this exceptional setting. Staff across the nursery have a clear understanding of the intent behind the curriculum and implement it highly effectively. All staff, from the most experienced to those newly appointed, demonstrate a deep awareness of the curriculum and the needs of the children in their care. They know precisely what children need to learn and how to support them in making rapid progress. As a result, children engage in purposeful learning throughout the day, consolidating knowledge and acquiring essential skills for the future.

Dedicated leaders and staff work together to develop strong and respectful relationships with parents when children first start. This impacts positively on the trusting relationships and secure attachments that babies and children develop with staff. A robust and highly effective key-person system ensures the emotional well-being of children. Skilful and highly responsive communication creates a sense of connection and belonging for all children across the setting. These feelings of well-being support children to access the ambitious curriculum developed by leaders.

Children settle very quickly and are keen to explore the interesting learning environment. Staff expertly nurture children's curiosity and resilience by providing sensitive support and meaningful challenges. They create opportunities for children to try new experiences and build confidence through adventurous play. For example, staff guide children as they plan and construct complex obstacle courses, promoting determination and teamwork. Activities such as balancing on beams, stepping through tyres, and lifting child-sized dumbbells in the mini gym are carefully planned to support children's physical development and boost their self-assurance.

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

• Leaders are inspirational. They have developed a highly ambitious and creative curriculum that underpins teaching and learning across the setting. Staff plan investigative learning opportunities to ensure that children experience awe and wonder every day. Staff closely observe, and respond skilfully to, children's fascinations. This helps children to stay interested and motivated to learn. They remain highly focused and extremely engaged throughout the day.
• Books, stories and songs are seamlessly embedded into daily routines to enrich learning. Staff select meaningful texts that complement each area of provision and deliver stories with energy and enthusiasm, capturing children's attention. Children demonstrate excellent listening and engagement as they join in with repeated phrases and familiar refrains. They particularly enjoy interactive stories, such as 'Superworm', where they confidently recall and chant key lines, deepening their love of books and language.
• Children are highly motivated to learn about the world around them, particularly where food comes from and how it contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Staff thoughtfully plan rich, hands-on experiences that deepen children's understanding of nature, sustainability, and food origins. Children plant and care for herbs and flowers, squeeze fresh oranges and lemons to taste, and make banana bread for their lunch. They confidently make pasta from scratch, using a pasta machine, and explore real spaghetti in their role play. These purposeful activities embed learning in meaningful and memorable ways.
• Staff expertly develop children's understanding of tools and their functions. Children confidently explore a wide range of stimulating resources. For example, babies and toddlers use toothbrushes and toothpaste to practise brushing the teeth of toy dinosaurs, making learning about oral hygiene playful and engaging. Older children use scalpels to shave clay pots, pestle and mortar to crush herbs and pasta machines to flatten dough. These activities support the development of fine motor strength and coordination skills.
• Staff demonstrate exceptional teaching skills as they support children to develop their independence. Children are eager to do things for themselves and get involved in daily routines and play. For example, they chop, cut and grate food for their pet guinea pigs. They set up activities, serve their lunch, and pour their own drinks. These skills enable children to become self-sufficient individuals.
• Staff consistently promote children's emotional development by skilfully modelling the language of feelings and respectful interactions. Through thoughtful guidance, children learn to recognise and respond to the emotions of others. They show genuine kindness and empathy, cooperating well with their peers and engaging in meaningful acts such as singing to the elderly each week. Children's behaviour is exemplary.
• Parents are, without exception, delighted with the setting. They appreciate the nurturing and friendly approach of leaders and staff. They are thrilled with the life skills their children develop. Parents receive detailed feedback and have numerous opportunities to discuss their child's progress with their key person. They are extremely appreciative of the learning links between home and nursery. They also enjoy the time they are invited to spend in the setting.
• Supervision and appraisal systems are robust and link closely to staff training and professional development opportunities. Bespoke training opportunities across the organisation enable staff and parents to deepen their knowledge together. Regular parent workshops offer practical guidance on key topics, such as, managing behaviour and supporting toilet training. This helps to ensure a consistent approach between home and nursery.