Mama Bear's Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

There is a clear curriculum intent. Staff are extremely knowledgeable in resourcing the environment to extend learning. Opportunities for new learning to be practised and remembered are provided. For example, children are immersed in enjoyable number-based activities through stories shared, actions performed, exploring objects, counting cups at snack time and counting fruit and vegetables in their play. Children readily explore this mathematical knowledge with confidence and excitement. When counting fruit, children exclaim, 'I have the most' and, 'I have more than you because I got three and you have two.' Staff ensure both the indoor and outdoor environments are engaging and help develop children's abilities to solve problems.

Children and staff have excellent relationships with each other that fully support learning and development. Staff have high expectations for every child and the children all thrive. Staff show warmth and understanding and strive to ensure they meet every need of every child. Children feel safe and secure in the environment. Children are enthusiastic to learn and are confident exploring resources independently. The environment is carefully thought about by staff and it supports children to flourish in their play. Resources are set out by staff to develop curiosity in children. For example, children excitedly play with various flower petals in their water play while concocting potions. Staff are commendable role models, which results in children showing superb behaviour, where they are consistently kind and considerate of each other.

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

• The staff are passionate about the care they provide and they continually reflect on their provision. This results in children receiving access to varied and engaging learning experiences. The manager values and celebrates the knowledge of staff while ensuring they can access support and training that will only further enhance their skills. For example, there is a culture of staff learning from each other's best practice.
• Staff prepare children for their next stage of learning. Children share ideas and opinions, and they are sensitively responded to by staff. This results in children being self-motivated learners. Staff progress learning superbly, providing lots of opportunities to revisit learning. For example, children practise listening skills by playing a familiar game. This results in children showing confidence and skill.
• Children show fantastic levels of independence. The staff skilfully support the self-care skill of toileting by valuing and encouraging efforts in independence and only offering physical support when needed. This results in resilient children who demonstrate a will to succeed unaided.
• Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress. Early years pupil premium funding is used to support children effectively with their next steps in learning.
• The quality of teaching is exceptional. Staff know children exceptionally well and meet every child's needs effectively, resulting in excellent outcomes for children. Staff create learning opportunities tailored to the age and stage of children. They adapt their level of support or grouping of children to appropriately meet children's needs. What children know, understand, remember and recall is excellent.
• Children are extremely confident communicators. Staff provide an environment that is language rich and supports children's growing vocabulary and understanding. Staff purposefully use new words when playing with children and children show confidence using the vocabulary independently. For example, when performing stories, staff use story language effectively. After a story is animatedly shared, children continue the story and 'fly' outside, running after each other saying, 'Is there room on the broom for me?'
• Children understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Staff support this by discussing why fruit and vegetables are important to eat, why it is important to spend some time outside and why healthy eating at snack time and lunchtime is important. Oral health is taught through daily toothbrushing and children are enthusiastic to participate and show great knowledge about the purpose of keeping healthy.
• Parent partnership is impressive and impacts positively on the learning and development of children. The setting is a real support to families, and parents feel staff know the needs of their children very well.