Little Eve's Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy in this warm and friendly nursery. They settle quickly and form close bonds with the adults who care for them. Staff are attentive. They recognise when young children need changing or are tired and respond quickly to their needs. Children show they feel secure and at home in the nursery.

The nursery team have high expectations for every child and support them well. The stimulating curriculum supports all children's learning, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. All children are able to make good progress from their starting points.

Children enjoy outings in the local community. For example, they make trips to the local supermarket. Staff teach them road safety. This helps children learn how to stay safe. Children show a fascination with the world around them. Staff help children recall what they see. They excitedly talk about the road being resurfaced with tar. Children learn about similarities and differences, such as through celebrating their own and others' beliefs and traditions. They join in international celebration days with their families and staff. This helps children learn respect and understanding of others.

The nursery team have clear expectations about behaviour. Children know what is expected of them. They are encouraged to make positive choices, such as helping others, sharing and taking turns. Staff offer praise and encouragement, which supports children's self-esteem.

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

• The ambitious curriculum is well planned, overall. Staff support children to develop key skills in all areas of learning in preparation for the next stage and eventual move to school. Staff find out about children's individual needs and interests from the start. They build on what children already know and support them to have a secure understanding in each area, before moving on to the next stage. This helps to identify any gaps in children's learning and where they may need additional support. Staff work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to target plans to ensure no child is left behind. Children who need additional support benefit from small, focused group activities.
• Children are eager to join in and quickly get involved in the stimulating activities on offer. They listen to staff and follow instructions. Children focus well as they experiment with different colour paints and imaginatively make marks on paper with toy cars and their hands. They play cooperatively in small groups and show positive attitudes to their learning.
• Children's speech and language development is supported well. They enthusiastically join in rhymes, listen to stories and repeat familiar words. Staff introduce new words and ask questions, which helps to support children's communication and language skills. Children who speak English as an additional language can hear and use their home languages as well as English. Staff use their bilingual language skills to support children.
• Children enjoy fresh air and exercise as they use outdoor equipment to develop balance and coordination. Babies crawl and explore their environment with confidence. Children benefit from a healthy diet and are supported to wash their hands regularly. However, planning within the curriculum does not always ensure that children build on this learning to understand the wider benefits of exercise and good hygiene routines.
• Children develop early mathematical skills. Staff help children recognise different shapes in the environment and to learn about size and position, as they balance on soft bricks. Children enjoy singing number songs and regularly count during daily routines. For example, they count how many plates to put out at lunch.
• Partnership with parents is strong. Parents are kept well informed about their children's learning through written and verbal feedback and meetings. Staff share their observations, and assessments of children and provide ideas of how to extend children's learning at home. Parents comment their children are happy to attend, progress well and say the team are very supportive.
• The nursery is led by professional and enthusiastic leaders. Staff benefit from supervision, team meetings and support from leaders. Ongoing professional development opportunities for staff helps enhance their knowledge and improves outcomes for children. Staff comment they enjoy working in the nursery and that leaders consider their well-being. Leaders reflect on practice to identify strengths and areas for development. They work with early years advisers to continue to enhance the provision.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen curriculum planning to make better use of everyday opportunities to deepen children's understanding of healthy lifestyles and promote their good health.