Leo's Den Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this warm and nurturing nursery. They arrive with big smiles and confidently separate from their parents, eager for the day ahead. Children show that they have developed good bonds with the caring staff. For instance, babies and toddlers look to staff for cuddles if they are tired or need reassurance. Older children are keen to share their ideas with staff and involve them in their play. Children enjoy playing together and develop good friendships. They are confident to express their opinions and make choices about what they want to do.

Managers and staff want the best for all children. They get to know them well from the start and provide attentive care and focused learning opportunities. Children happily participate in the various activities and demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning. For example, babies are curious to discover how to open and close containers. They explore how to fit different-sized items inside and persevere until they have worked out problems for themselves. Children focus intently as they look at books independently or listen to stories read by adults. They show that they know their favourite books exceedingly well as they join in with repeated phrases and anticipate what will happen next.

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

• Managers regularly review the provision and speak enthusiastically about recent developments and future plans. They seek feedback from parents, staff and children to help them deliver an ambitious curriculum for children. For example, in response to children's comments, they have provided more challenging opportunities for climbing and physical play.
• Staff observe children closely and use what they know to plan varied learning experiences. They identify where children may need additional support and use effective strategies to help close any gaps in their learning. This enables all children, including children who receive funding, to make good progress from their starting points.
• The nursery is inclusive and welcomes staff and families from a diverse range of backgrounds. Staff value children's individuality and encourage them to share their experiences from home. Children happily celebrate special events, such as an 'international day', with staff and their parents. This helps to promote their interest and respect for different people and communities.
• Children are keen to join in with activities and clearly enjoy their learning. For example, pre-school children thoughtfully estimate how many toy animals they have collected. They check by carefully counting and then eagerly finding the corresponding numeral as they share their findings with staff.
• Staff promote children's speaking and listening well. For example, they engage children in a wide range of stories, songs and conversations throughout the day.
• Where children are still developing their speech, staff simplify language and use signs and picture cards to help with communication. Consequently, children, including children who speak English as an additional language, learn to express themselves confidently.
• Children are friendly, sociable and generally behave well. However, some staff do not provide consistent guidance to help children understand expectations and begin to regulate their behaviour more effectively. Therefore, occasionally, routines and activities for toddlers and pre-school children are disrupted because children are not sure of what to do.
• There is a good focus on healthy lifestyles for children. Staff encourage children's interest in healthy foods, such as by growing vegetables and herbs in the nursery garden. The nursery provides nutritious meals for children, and routines include lots of outdoor play. Children enjoy plenty of fun ways to be active and keep fit. For example, they visit a local park and participate in organised sports and movement sessions.
• Staff encourage children to be independent and teach them how to manage their own personal care needs. For example, children learn to wash their hands, serve themselves and use cutlery at mealtimes.
• Parents are very happy with the service provided and describe staff as 'the cream of the crop'. They praise the excellent care that their children receive. For example, parents are reassured that staff are trained to deal with children's specific medical needs. Parents say that staff keep them well informed of their children's development and provide useful ideas to help them continue their learning at home.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support all staff to provide children with clear and consistent boundaries that help them to understand expectations and moderate their behaviour.