Little Nestlings

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are extremely happy, and they enjoy their time at this vibrant nursery. Staff are kind, caring and affectionate. They greet children warmly, which supports them to separate from their parents with ease. Children are quick to get involved in their play. Throughout the day, there are infectious giggles and squeals of excitement from children. They are confident to approach new people and show them their toys, demonstrating how safe they feel.

Staff plan and provide an interesting and exciting curriculum for children. They carefully consider what they want children to learn through the experiences they provide. Babies are encouraged to stand to explore sensory materials, which helps them to develop strength in their core and legs in readiness for waking. Toddler-aged children improve their stamina during walks in the local community. Staff support them to look for objects in the local green. They extend the challenge for more-able children by providing two-part instructions, such as finding sticks with branches on. Preschool aged children make their own vegetable soup. They practise using knives to safely cut vegetables. Staff introduce the names of new vegetables, such as a parsnip, and explain where vegetables come from. They talk about those which grow underground and the process of harvesting these before they arrive at the shops, which helps give children knowledge about the world they live in.

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

• Managers are highly ambitious about the quality of care and education they provide. They genuinely want the very best for every child. Managers use self-evaluation accurately to monitor the quality of provision. They recognise ways they can strengthen children's experiences further, to build on their already-good outcomes.
• The support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is strong. Staff get to know children well and work with their parents to gather information about other professionals who may be involved with their child. Play plans are devised and implemented successfully to help every child to reach their potential.
• Staff are skilful in building on children's communication and language skills. Babies are exposed to single words and songs during their play. Staff check in with older children to explain the concepts of words they hear, such as 'beanbag'. They engage children in meaningful conversations, which helps children to become fluent communicators.
• Children are supported to develop a love for reading through continuous access to high-quality books. They visit the library regularly which broadens the reading materials they are exposed to. Children eagerly sit down for story time and repeat familiar phrases from books they know. Older children are supported to recognise letters and words. For example, they independently find their own name tag at lunch time.
• Staff plan and provide varied activities throughout the day. Children select their favourite songs using a smart speaker and dance around to music they hear. They sit down together to sing songs and share stories. However, on occasions, children lose interest in these sessions and begin to fidget. This distracts other children and impacts on their high levels of engagement.
• Parents are very complimentary about the nursery. They explain how much their children enjoy attending and particularly praise the experiences they get in exploring the community around them during regular outings. Parents welcome the regular feedback they get about their child's care and development, which helps to provide continuity at home.
• Staff feel well-supported by leaders and managers. Regular supervision opportunities allow them to discuss any concerns or challenges they face. Staff receive feedback about their teaching and practice, and can access a range of training opportunities. However, some of these professional development opportunities are in their infancy. This means that teaching is not yet consistently at the highest possible level.
• Children behave well at nursery. Staff are excellent role-models. They model how to be kind to each other and exercise use of manners in their interactions. Staff offer plenty of praise to children in recognition of their good behaviours. They deal with any unwanted behaviours calmly by explaining to children why certain behaviours may be dangerous. This helps children learn how to keep themselves and others safe.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review the planning and organisation of group activities to help children remain deeply engaged in their learning
• embed professional development opportunities for staff to consistently raise the quality of their teaching to the highest level.