Little Diamonds

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The leaders and staff provide an incredibly welcoming, family-focused setting where children are at the centre of everything they do. Children are confident and independently explore the environment.

Staff have an excellent understanding of their curriculum and how children learn. Children benefit from awe-inspiring experiences that truly support them to develop a real sense of themselves and how they fit into their local community. For example, they routinely visit the nearby amenities such as the market, post office, fire station and library. Regular trips further afield by minibus and public transport provide children with rich learning experiences. For example, they have visited a temple, theatre and postal museum. Robust risk assessments ensure these outings are safety checked.

Parents are extremely positive about the nursery. They feel they are part of a community, with the nursery at its heart. Parents contribute and attend regular family events planned by the nursery. For example, families attend a Father's Day event in a local green space. Children are delighted when they receive medals along with their parents.

Children behave extremely well. Children demonstrate high levels of self-control even if they encounter difficulties. For instance, children persevere as they carefully cut up melon to make fruit kebabs.

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

• The inspirational management team is highly effective and strives for excellence. Staff's well-being is given the highest importance, and staff feel very well supported and highly valued in their roles. They report that working conditions are excellent and that they receive regular training opportunities. Staff retention is exceptional. This, in turn, has a positive impact on children's relationships and learning.
• Staff work hard to form secure attachments with children and their families from the very start. They teach children the language of feelings, helping them to appropriately develop their emotional literacy. Young babies seek reassurance from familiar adults, who are always on hand to give cuddles. Staff help older children to resolve conflicts, for example, by introducing timers to help children take turns.
• Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. Parents are kept informed about what their children are learning and appreciate the support provided to help extend children's learning at home. Parents take an active part in nursery life. For example, they join the children for storytelling, arts and crafts and sport sessions.
• Children have a rich set of experiences that promote an understanding of, and respect for, people, families and communities beyond their own. During Chinese New Year, the children visited a Chinese restaurant, where they sampled authentic Chinese food. Parents were invited to share cultural stories with all the children. The children thoroughly enjoyed learning the story behind each animal in the Chinese calendar.
• Children are becoming increasingly independent. Older children help and clear away at mealtimes, and younger children quickly grasp toilet training. Care practices support children's autonomy effectively. Staff are sensitive and seek children's consent when providing intimate care. Children benefit from regular sessions provided by outside experts, such as football, music and yoga, and they take part in regular Spanish lessons.
• There are excellent links with other professionals, and the leadership is keen to disseminate knowledge to other providers in the local community. They work well with professionals and have a key role in decision-making forums representing local providers. Excellent links with local schools ensure children's transitions are managed exceptionally well.
• The leadership understands the importance of having arrangements in place to identify and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They actively involve parents and work cooperatively with other professionals. This ensures all children make excellent progress.
• Staff sharply focus on the importance of developing children's communication and literacy skills. Children enjoy singing songs and following simple actions. Staff make books and stories interactive by using prompts and creative play linked to the story. All children practise their early writing skills. Babies explore paint with vehicles, toddlers use chalk and water to paint the shed outside and the older children practise writing their names.