Little Owls Nursery Hunslet Rylestone

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The nursery is an integral part of a very diverse local community and is vibrant, warm and welcoming. It is a special place that is highly valued by the families it serves. Staff put children and their families at its heart. Children's uniqueness, ethnicity and cultural heritage are supported and valued. They develop a strong sense of self. Children are happy, sociable and highly independent. They thrive at nursery.

The nursery is a hive of activity. Children are friendly and talk constantly about what they are doing. They take turns to lie down on the tarmac in the garden and excitedly draw around each other using chalks. They state, 'don't move yet' as they draw. Children's excitement is infectious. They ask staff and visitors to 'lie down' so that they can chalk around them. Staff join in children's play enthusiastically. They skilfully use opportunities to support children's mathematical understanding. Staff challenge children to identify who is the 'tallest' and 'shortest'. Children look carefully and ask their friends and staff to stand back to back. They display good problem-solving skills. Staff have the highest expectations of what all children can achieve.

Children are constantly absorbed in their play and learning experiences. They are energetic and highly motivated. Children behave exceptionally well.

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

• The manager and staff create a very well-planned and sequenced curriculum. All staff understand the intentions for children's learning. They provide exciting and inspiring experiences for children. Staff teach children how to mix two different colours of paint to make new colours. Children show high levels of concentration as they experiment. They develop self-expression and artistic skills. Children talk confidently to visitors about the animals and patterns they paint.
• Children's emotional well-being is exceptionally strong. Staff nurture the character of children. Babies giggle with delight as their close adult gently blows shredded paper. Staff make wonderful face-to-face connections during playful interactions. The attachment and trust that babies have with their key person is clearly evident.
• Staff focus sharply on developing children's literacy skills. They read stories to children over a number of weeks. Staff use highly effective reading techniques. They help children to become the storyteller. Children demonstrate their excellent knowledge and articulately retell the story about, 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea'. They excitedly act out the story using real resources, including, teacups, saucers and teapots. Children develop an impressive knowledge of stories. This provides a strong foundation for their future reading development.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported especially well. Staff are swift to identify any developmental concerns in children and work closely with other professionals to support them. Staff tailor their approach to the uniqueness of each individual child. The manager uses additional funding to provide children with one-to-one adult support. This is highly effective and helps to promote positive outcomes for children.
• Staff place the highest importance on developing children's language skills, including those who speak English as an additional language. They work closely with parents to give them confidence to speak with their children in the languages used at home. Children show high levels of curiosity. They 'paint' the nursery windows with water and brushes, build models using clear bricks and enjoy discussions at lunchtime. Staff introduce interesting words, including 'reflection', 'transparent' and 'semolina'. Children use an extensive vocabulary and speak articulately using well-constructed sentences.
• Parents speak extremely positively about the nursery. They describe how their children are 'always loved and cared for' by staff who are 'patient' and help their children to 'flourish'. Parents are kept well informed about their children's learning during daily face-to-face discussions and through online learning journals.
• The manager provides all staff with focused professional development. Trainee apprentices receive consistently high-quality support from well-qualified and experienced staff mentors. This includes modelling teaching, explanations of teaching and discussions about the impact of teaching on children. Apprentices develop excellent knowledge and skills. They display the strong capabilities they need to effectively support young children's learning and development.