Little Learners Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are warmly greeted by caring and nurturing staff, who know them very well. They excitedly enter the nursery in anticipation of their day. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this stimulating nursery. Their behaviour is exceptional. They fully understand what is expected of them and show excellent independence from a young age. As a result, children feel safe and secure. Children have a deep level of respect and care for each other and adults. For example, children tidy their work area after use, ready for their friends to use. Children have excellent manners and are gently reminded by staff when they forget to use them. They take turns and help each other in their learning.

Experienced and highly qualified staff have high expectations of children and plan a well-balanced curriculum that builds well on what children already know and can do. Children are inquisitive and explore the environment with enthusiasm. They explore a wide variety of interesting resources that are used imaginatively and creatively. Children are confident to ask questions about what they do not know. For example, they ask staff what a walrus eats and where they live.

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

• Children are highly motivated and eager to join in. Staff encourage children to keep trying when they find something difficult. They praise children frequently for their persistence. Consequently, children are extremely proud of their achievements. Staff are exceptionally skilled at enabling children's independence skills. For example, at lunchtime, children pour their own water into cups. They rinse their own plates and cutlery once lunch is finished.
• The key-person system is well established. Staff regularly share with managers the excellent progress that children are making. Staff are highly dedicated and enthusiastic, always putting children first.
• Children consistently show positive behaviour. If a minor conflict occurs, children resolve it quickly and staff offer support to help them recognise how it makes the children feel.
• The manager and staff have created a wonderfully inviting and stimulating environment. They carefully consider and choose the type of resources and how these are presented to the children. Children show high levels of curiosity, imagination and a sense of wonder in their learning. For example, children try to break ice moulds to reveal animals that live in the North Pole.
• The curriculum for communication and language is highly effective. Staff build on the words children already know. They model new words as they describe what they are doing. Children and staff enjoy sharing songs and stories together. As a result, children are making exceptional progress in their speaking and listening skills.
• Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills. They climb onto a small climbing frame and push themselves around the garden in wheeled vehicles. Furthermore, children develop their small-muscle skills as they manipulate whisks and spoons in the mud kitchen.
• Staff quickly identify where children need support and guidance. They actively seek support and work closely with other agencies. This means that all children, and specifically those with special educational needs, are accessing the support they need to make the best start in life.
• Staff use every moment as an opportunity for learning. They encourage children to count and recognise amounts and quantities. Staff question children about the size, position and order of objects. Children are using mathematical language and understanding well in their play.
• The manager has an excellent knowledge of her role and individual responsibilities and is well supported by her extended team. Staff keep their professional knowledge up to date by completing a number of courses. Together, they have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the nursery and are always striving for continuous improvement.
• Partnership with parents is exceptional. Parents comment very favourably about the nursery and staff. Parents are kept up to date with regular meetings on their child's development and how they are progressing.