Little Scholars Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Little Scholars Nursery is a special place to be. Passionate leaders and staff have a dedicated vision to ensure that all children and their families succeed. Children benefit greatly from the rich, well-equipped environment, supported by knowledgeable adults who have high expectations for them. This helps all children to make excellent progress from their starting points.

There is a harmonious atmosphere where children feel safe and secure. They have formed strong attachments with staff and their peers. Children demonstrate their positive self-esteem and confidence as they exclaim 'look what I did!' when achieving their goals. Children say that they feel excited to come to nursery. Feelings such as happy, angry and scared are explored through the 'Colour Monster' story. Children share ideas on how they can make others happy by carrying out kind deeds, such as inviting them to play. This helps every child feel embraced in the inclusive environment.

Children are confident communicators. Every conversation is a learning opportunity. Staff take time to introduce new vocabulary. For example, they discuss the meaning of new words such as 'harmless' when describing spiders. Children use words such as author and illustrator when exploring books. They describe their 'juicy' fruits at snack time. This helps them develop an extensive vocabulary and understanding ahead of moving on to school.

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

• Staff are meticulously clear about what children already know, and what they need to learn next. They have an impressive knowledge of child development. The ambitious curriculum is seamlessly embedded. It helps children to make accelerated progress from their starting points. Learning is regularly revisited in different ways, to ensure that concepts are understood, and children get countless opportunities to practice skills.
• Staff questioning is highly effective in promoting children's critical thinking skills. For instance, children speculate and problem-solve as they explore symmetry while painting. They predict what might happen when colours mix. Children have an admirable love and thirst for learning.
• Children showcase mathematical knowledge above their expected targets. As they roll dough to make currant buns, they discuss what will happen to the amount if they sell one. They use mathematical language such as hexagon as they play. At group time, children count how many children are present at nursery. Older children then identify the number that they have counted.
• Children have a wide range of experiences to support their physical development, both indoors and outdoors. Since the last inspection, leaders have placed a focus on developing the outdoor area. Here, children immerse themselves in the environment, climbing up slopes and practicing using steps. Staff teach skills such as using tongs to pick up pom-poms, and young children scrunch paper and roll dough. This helps to develop their small-muscle control and early writing skills.
• Staff prioritise promoting children's good health. Children talk about what they have learned and remembered. They discuss how cavities can cause holes in their teeth. Supervised toothbrushing helps to promote good oral hygiene further. Children show a determined independence to complete tasks themselves such as squeezing the toothpaste on the toothbrush.
• The plentiful experiences that this nursery provides children, and their families is exceptional. Children learn about being responsible citizens who contribute to society through charity drives. Together, children and their families attend trips to museums on the train, visits to soft-play centres and horse riding. The curriculum is further enhanced with science workshops and library visits, where families are supported in accessing library memberships, so they can continue to enhance children's love of reading at home.
• All parents are unanimous in praise for this caring nursery. They say their children are extremely happy here and flourish. Parents are warmly embraced in all aspects of children's learning journey. They attend regular workshops on topics such as supporting speech and language and reading sessions, where they learn how to support children's early literacy development. This helps to promote continuity between the nursery and home and supports children to make rapid progress.
• Inspirational leaders adopt a reflective approach. They have an excellent understanding of staff's practice. They ensure that the curriculum is embedded and skilfully implemented. Coaching and mentoring inspire staff to be their very best. Training opportunities are sharply focused. For example, staff complete phonics (letters and the sounds they represent) and mathematics training, which positively impacts on the quality of education.