Mildmay Community Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish in this exceptional nursery. They develop strong attachments to the caring and attentive staff, which enables them to settle quickly and feel very safe and secure. Community is at the heart of everything that happens in the nursery. The manager and staff are passionate about creating an inclusive environment, where everyone has a voice and everyone is listened to. Children are extremely curious and motivated to learn. For example, during story time, children confidently put their hands up and ask the meaning of words that they have not heard before. Staff respond to children's curiosity with genuine excitement. This contributes to the atmosphere being highly engaging. Children demonstrate how inspired they are to explore and learn as much as possible.

Children display excellent behaviour. The patient and caring staff talk to them about how they are feeling and why. As a result, children understand their emotions and play together harmoniously. Children show a strong understanding of the rules within the nursery. For example, they remind each other to keep the spades in the sandpit and to walk when they are inside. Children are incredibly welcoming to the inspector. They offer big smiles and make her feel very included. Children proudly show her their work and declare, 'This is a drawing of a snake, it is for my mummy.' They have countless opportunities to explore their local community and learn about the world around them. For example, children visit the local library, farm and theatre. Staff plan these activities based on children's needs and interests and always involve their families too.

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

• The manager and deputy manager make a strong team and their passion for the nursery shines through. They continuously evaluate the provision and strive for excellence at all times. The manager and deputy manager swiftly implement development plans to further strengthen practice and ensure the highest quality of care and education for all children who attend. Staff feel well supported and their well-being is high. They access highly effective training and supervision to continuously develop their professional skills.
• Children are extremely strong communicators. They engage in continuous conversations with each other and staff. The highly skilled staff respond to what children have to say with respect and enthusiasm. The bonds between staff and children come through during these conversations. For example, children and staff share ideas and suggestions as they build a tent together outside.
• The nursery is exceptionally inclusive. Staff work extremely closely with a range of experts to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They are trained to deliver specialist support for all children. Children thrive as they quickly reach their developmental milestones. All children make excellent progress. The manager has developed strong links with local schools and teachers and works closely to support children with this transition, when the time comes.
• Children show immense joy at being outside in the newly developed garden. They demonstrate strong physical skills as they climb, pick flowers to make perfume with and use their imaginations. The manager and staff are passionate about teaching children about the natural world and sustainability. For example, children enjoy attending forest school once a week. They grow their own herbs in the planting area, which they enjoy smelling, tasting and using to be creative with. Children demonstrate their previous learning about how to look after the planet. For instance, they explain that, 'Recycling means it turns into something else.'
• Staff build strong relationships with parents and work extremely hard to engage them in their children's learning. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children on outings and to spend time in the nursery. They are kept very well informed about daily activities and their children's progress. Parents speak extremely highly of the setting. They comment on the strong community feel. Parents appreciate how approachable staff are and how happy their children are.
• Children are prepared for later life. They learn about other cultures, family dynamics and languages. Staff encourage parents to come into the setting and share their experiences. For example, parents and grandparents spend time in the nursery reading books and cooking recipes from home. Children benefit from these experiences, which help to give them a sense of belonging.