Margaret McMillan Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Babies and toddlers develop secure relationships with staff, who welcome them warmly as they arrive at nursery. Children seek out familiar staff and receive reassurance and comfort throughout the day. Staff are attentive and responsive to children's emotional and care needs. Staff working with babies understand the importance of daily routines. Children are secure because they know what to expect with staff who talk to them and tell them what is happening next. Babies and toddlers are beginning to learn to take turns and share with each other. Staff intent is to teach children to respect one another and to play in cooperative ways. Staff are sensitive role models, and young children respond well because staff offer meaningful praise.

Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of child development. They observe children and assess their progress to enable them to swiftly recognise where children may need additional support. They work closely with outside professionals to ensure that children make the best progress and receive any help they may need to achieve this. Children make good progress across all areas of learning. They develop their large-muscle skills as they spend time outside every day. They are so keen to take part in the activities in the well-resourced outdoor area. They balance on crates and wheeled toys with confidence. They explore with enthusiasm and enjoyment as they communicate with visitors and staff.

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

• Staff understand the importance of being reflective in their practice. They seek feedback from other staff and professionals when evaluating the quality of the service they provide. They access a good range of training so that they can continue to develop their teaching skills. The headteacher and senior leadership team provide regular opportunities for feedback and to highlight areas for development. Recruitment and induction are thorough, with ongoing supervision and monitoring used to ensure staff suitability and professional development. Staff say that the headteacher is highly supportive and that they benefit from regular well-being meetings.
• The headteacher and staff work well together as an enthusiastic and dedicated team. They are committed to providing an inclusive environment where all children and their families are fully included. This means that all children receive the help they need to enable them to make good progress. The high levels of communication could be strengthened by making sure that key persons' communication with parents and other staff incorporates more fully aspects of children's interests, so they can be incorporated into the planning of the curriculum.
• Staff place a strong focus on developing children's communication and language, including children who speak English as an additional language. They listen to children carefully, give them time to think and respond and teach them new words. They talk to children and ask questions to encourage their thinking skills. Children join in with simple songs and rhymes and turn the pages of their favourite books with enthusiasm. Staff sit with young babies on the floor to encourage their participation.
• Babies develop their sensory skills as they play with sponges and foam in an adult-directed activity. However, there is less opportunity for babies to play with sensory materials and activities in their self-chosen play.
• Children benefit from healthy snacks and meals, which they really enjoy. Staff promote children's independence well during mealtimes. Babies and toddlers join the older children and sit together during lunch. They really enjoy the social aspect, with staff encouraging conversations with other children and staff.
• Parents share positive feedback about the nursery. They fully appreciate the care and learning that their children receive. They say that their younger children and their older siblings have been very happy to attend. They comment that they can see how much their children are developing and learning with the supportive staff team. Information is shared with parents through daily feedback diaries and at parents' meetings, and they are encouraged to attend special events at the nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• enhance further the availability of natural resources to provide more challenge and sensory interest for children
• continue to improve the existing good systems for communication to further enhance effective information sharing, particularly in relation to children's interests so they can be more easily incorporated into the curriculum.