Little Willows Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Managers and staff create a warm and welcoming environment. Children are happy and settled at the nursery. Staff provide children with lots of praise and encouragement throughout the day. They support children to keep trying when something is challenging. Children have a positive attitude to their learning and enjoy their time at the nursery. Staff provide a curriculum that follows children's interests. They interact with the children at key moments and support learning well overall. Children learn about the world around them. They are excited to look for 'wriggly' worms outside and enjoy being active. Staff support children's physical development skills. For example, they teach young children how to climb steps safely. Staff create positive relationships with children. They know when children are hungry, tired or need further movement breaks, and they respond appropriately to meet their needs. Interactions between staff and children are warm and meaningful. Staff create a sense of fun and imagination, such as reciting familiar rhymes with the children outside. Staff support children to play together in groups. This helps children begin to create lasting relationships with their key persons and peers. Staff remind children of the expectations in place as needed, such as to remain seated while eating and to use good manners. Children and staff often celebrate each other's achievements with 'high fives', helping to boost children's self-esteem.

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

• The curriculum is carefully thought out and ambitious. Staff consider the different ways in which children learn and know what they need to learn next. Staff use this knowledge to swiftly identify any gaps in learning. This supports all children to make good progress.
• Staff looking after babies and toddlers are gentle and caring. They respectfully ask children's consent during personal care routines, such as nappy changing and wiping noses. Staff use opportunities for children to practise their independence skills. For example, children learn to put on their own shoes and practise pouring their own drinks. Children's individual health and food preference requirements are met well.
• The ambitious managers have high regard for all members of staff and prioritise their well-being. They help to ensure that staff feel valued and supported. Staff say they feel appreciated and that managers help them to develop their practice and support training opportunities.
• Staff know the children and their families very well. Parent feedback is very positive. They feel supported and say communication is a key strength. These successful relationships support the links between home and the nursery.
• Children enjoy listening to stories and singing rhymes. Staff help children to expand their vocabulary and enhance their language skills. However, during group story times, there are many interruptions and distractions, and some children disengage. This means that children do not benefit fully from all learning opportunities.
• Children develop their physical skills effectively. For example, they build their hand strength using tools to spread glue and glitter and imaginatively create items such as 'cakes'. They develop their balance, eagerly copying staff as they play games. Children develop their coordination as they scoop sand and transport it into buckets.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review the organisation of some group activities, such as story time, to ensure that children remain fully engaged and disruptions to their learning are minimised.