Mulberry Bush Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff welcome children with enthusiasm and kindness at this friendly nursery. Children separate from their parents with ease and enter the nursery with confidence. They make independent choices from stimulating and inviting activities. Babies explore musical instruments. They shake bells and bang xylophones. Staff sit closely with them and involve them in games using mirrors. They ask, 'Where is your nose?' Toddlers play with dolls imaginatively. They wrap them in blankets and tell staff, 'My baby is asleep.' Pre-school children show creativity in role-play shops. They use pretend cash tills and walk around with shopping baskets. They say, 'The shop is soon closing' and 'That costs six pounds.'

Children are happy and have great fun. Babies are fascinated when staff use wands to blow bubbles. They reach out and clap their hands to pop the bubbles. Staff repeat the words 'pop' and 'clap' to support babies' early language and understanding. Toddlers snuggle in 'igloo' dens to share books. They turn pages carefully and point to pictures they recognise. Pre-school children notice icy puddles. They become engrossed in making 'crunchy nut ice'. They use plastic hammers and cheer with delight when shards break off. They comment, 'This is fun.'

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help children to develop a better understanding of how their behaviour may impact on others
• support staff to monitor and manage noise levels in the pre-school room, to better support children's learning and development.