Linskill Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive at this very friendly, professional and inclusive nursery. They are settled and happy as they make marks with paint and explore with water and sand. Children form close bonds with staff, who are fun, caring and kind. Staff know individual children well. They plan exciting activities and experiences for children that they know will challenge and interest them. For example, children learn about the importance of recycling. They grow vegetables and take part in yoga sessions.

There is strong support for children's personal, social and emotional development. Staff encourage children to express how they feel. They provide gentle reminders about positive behaviour. Staff encourage children to use manners, play cooperatively together and be mindful of personal space. Children learn how to look after themselves. They learn how to brush their teeth and what foods are best for their health. Staff support children's growing independence well. Children serve themselves at lunchtime and pour their own drinks.

Staff praise children and help to develop their confidence and self-esteem. They encourage children to make simple choices and decisions, such as which book they would like to hear at story time. Children become 'daily helpers' and help staff with everyday tasks, such as laying the table ready for snack.

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

• The nursery's curriculum clearly supports children at different stages of their development. Staff plan creative activities, often using innovative resources. The management team is dedicated and passionate about outcomes for children and the service the nursery provides.
• Children benefit from daily access to fresh air and exercise. They enjoy rich opportunities to learn about nature. For example, staff support children to plant sunflowers and strawberries in the nursery's large polytunnel. They encourage children to dig in soil, smell herbs and search for bugs in the nursery's enclosed garden.
• Staff teach children about the importance of caring for living things. For example, they encourage children to help to look after the nursery's pet snails. Children observe cocoons over time, as caterpillars emerge and turn into butterflies.
• There is a strong focus on children's physical development. Staff encourage children to play at floor and waist height. This helps children to develop their core strength. Children take part daily in music and movement sessions. Outside, children navigate uneven surfaces in the nursery's wild garden. They climb trees and balance in hammocks.
• Children learn different ways of using their hands. They thread with pipe cleaners and take part in cutting and sticking activities. Children explore with dough. Staff teach them how to hold cutlery safely as they chop vegetables and help to prepare wraps for their snack.
• Overall, staff provide strong support for children's communication and language skills. They introduce new words into children's play. Staff repeat children's words back to them. This helps to show children that their words are valued and understood.
• Children concentrate as they take part in craft activities. They are focused and engaged in their learning. However, staff do not always consider how best to support the flow of children's play. For example, children's play is sometimes interrupted when staff restrict how many children are allowed in the role-play area at one time.
• There is a strong focus on early literacy throughout the nursery. All children come together for story time, however, this sometimes results in some children becoming distracted. Managers recognise that there are opportunities to review the structure of story times, to support children's listening and attention skills more effectively.
• The nursery has very strong links with the local community. For example, children enjoy regular visits to a nearby assisted living complex. Staff welcome volunteers who help to read stories to children. They plan social events for parents and build good links with local schools.
• Staff provide strong support to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. For instance, they have developed a sensory room to provide a calm space where children can relax.
• Parents speak very highly of the setting. They praise the staff team, who they say are 'incredible, knowledgeable and supportive'. Staff share activity ideas with parents, so that they can continue their children's learning at home.
• The experienced manager is very reflective and has a strong and positive attitude towards continuous improvement. She supports her staff team well. Staff benefit from a wide range of opportunities for training to update and extend their knowledge.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• consider how to enhance older children's play, such as by evaluating how role-play areas are used
• review the structure of story times to support children's listening and attention skills more effectively.