Leigh Cottage Childcare

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive at this outstanding setting. They are exceptionally valued by nurturing staff, who have high ambitions for them all. Staff show children excellent care and respect, really listening and noticing what children would like. Children are extremely happy and settled, showing they feel safe. They behave particularly well and are kind to adults and each other. Older children form lovely relationships and work cooperatively together. For example, children push each other along in a wheelbarrow, requesting help from other children when it becomes too heavy. Children laugh and chat as they play.

Staff provide a thoughtfully planned out, innovative curriculum that stimulates all children's interests, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff skilfully encourage children's learning with thought-provoking questions and ideas. For instance, while making 'cement' for the building role play, staff discuss with children how they can make it thicker. They add more flour then proudly explain how they made their 'cement.' All children are making excellent progress.

Staff recognise that since the COVID-19 pandemic, children struggle more with their attention and listening skills. They have put into place new and engaging activities to help children develop these skills, such as the 'attention bucket' game. For example, staff expertly captivate children's attention by filling a bucket with well-chosen, exciting objects and enthusiastically singing a special song, encouraging children to explore the objects together in small groups.

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

• Managers are passionate and have high expectations. They are keen to continually improve the already excellent nursery. Staff share this enthusiasm and regularly engage in training courses to ensure they are up to date with the latest early years practice. For example, staff have had training on supporting children's and their own well-being. Alongside discussing children's emotions, each room now really notices and celebrates when children have been extra kind to each other. Children excitably share this achievement with their parents.
• Staff skilfully tailor learning to individual children's needs and interests. Children are very engrossed in their learning. For example, babies intently listen and join in as staff use props when reading, so babies can count as they feed the caterpillar during a well-known story. Older children excitably dig for 'dinosaur bones', building a dinosaur as they uncover more bones. They learn new words, such as 'skull' and 'T-Rex', increasing their vocabulary, as they discuss with staff the names of the bones and dinosaurs.
• Skilled staff support children to come up with their own solutions and be independent. For instance, when toddlers spill water on themselves, staff ask them: 'How might we dry that?' Even the youngest children pour their own drinks, with support, at mealtimes and put on their own shoes.
• Children have many engaging opportunities to learn about good oral hygiene throughout the nursery. Younger children discuss what toothbrushes are for and use them in their play. Older children use mirrors to count how many teeth are in their mouths and discuss how to care for their teeth. Staff share this learning with parents by sending home a toothbrush, toothpaste, a special toothbrushing song and information to share with parents. The nursery has excellent ways of including parents in their children's learning.
• Staff place a high emphasis on children being in control of their own choices. For example, all children choose what snack they would like that day. Pre-school children 'vote' by placing pegs on extra activities they would like out that day to complement their already wide range of stimulating resources. Staff avoid gender stereotyping and encourage all children to dress up in clothes of their choosing in the role-play area.
• Parents love the way the nursery sees their children as individuals and values and nurtures their uniqueness. They appreciate the way that staff know exactly what their children have been doing during the day and how they are developing. Communication with parents is excellent.
• Staff are extremely nurturing and know children and families exceptionally well. They work with families to sensitively support children through major life changes, such as introducing a new baby to the family. They encourage children to express their feelings while engaged in activities. For example, staff sensitively chat with children about changes in their families while playing with them, helping to support children's emotional well-being.