Mulberry Bush Nursery Walshaw

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish in this nurturing and inspiring nursery. They are comforted and extremely well supported when they first attend. Their emotional well-being is given the utmost priority, and children are very happy and settled, as they are safe and secure. Staff are highly skilled in supporting children who may need additional emotional support, for example through offering extra sessions to help children settle.

The atmosphere in the nursery is lively and purposeful. Staff plan and implement an ambitious and exciting curriculum that covers all areas of learning successfully. All children make exceptionally good progress. Children enjoy a range of stimulating activities based on their interests and next steps in learning. For example, children participate in taking care of the nursery snail and stick insects. The children say, 'The snail is called Tim, and the stick insect is called Sally.' They learn about textures of real-life objects, such as shells. Children are developing a knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

Children receive outstanding, high-quality interactions from the staff who care for them. Children flourish and develop exceedingly well. They have high levels of self-esteem and are extremely confident. Staff have high expectations, a nurturing manner and well-established routines to support children's outstanding behaviour.

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

• Staff support children's language development exceptionally well. They provide consistent opportunities for children to learn new words. For example, staff ask children to drink their water to stay 'hydrated' in the 'hot sunshine'. Children engage with stories and songs across all rooms. Staff skilfully use books to enhance children's vocabulary, conversational language and thinking skills as children predict the story's outcome.
• Staff make sure that all children receive the support and guidance they need to thrive. There is a clear process for identifying children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Parents and carers of children with SEND are especially complimentary about the work of practitioners and leaders. They appreciate how the nursery ensures that all children learn and explore confidently alongside their peers. Managers use funding extremely well to help all children to make significant progress.
• Staff expertly prioritise children's health and well-being. They support children superbly to recognise their feelings, and children are skilled at self-regulating their emotions. Children regularly take part in yoga and mindfulness sessions. Staff are excellent role models as they teach children to be respectful of each other, and their behaviour is exemplary. Children learn how important oral hygiene is as they participate in the 'brush bus scheme' and learn about looking after their teeth. Staff promote children's nutrition, hygiene and oral health effectively through age-appropriate health education delivered in a highly effective way.
• The curriculum for physical development is extremely ambitious. Staff use their spacious garden expertly well, providing activities that have a positive impact on children's physical health. For example, the children run down the steep hill at extreme pace, making their own decisions about direction and speed. They roll hoops to each other and enjoy bubble games with their friends. Children are able to measure their own risks and be physically active.
• Staff are truly dedicated to making every child feel welcome. They value and celebrate every family and embody their culture and family values. For instance, staff create family photo albums in the baby room so the babies can see pictures of their different families. Staff help children to learn about festivals and celebrations, such as 'Pride' week and Holi. They hold an annual charity event raising money for many charities. They learn about the exciting and diverse community that they live in.
• Children have wonderful opportunities to develop their independence and learn about healthy lifestyles. Staff encourage babies to eat food with their hands, developing their hand-eye coordination. Older children continue to develop these skills as they learn to use a knife and fork. They serve their own food and pour their own drinks. Lunch helpers are chosen to set the table for lunch. This ensures they have the confidence to handle everyday tasks and supports the children to increasingly extend their independence.
• Leadership is extremely strong. The dedicated management team is passionate and strives for excellence. It leads the nursery with determination through shared values and goals to enhance children's achievements. Practitioners consistently report high levels of support for their well-being. There is also effective engagement through team meetings and supervision sessions. Staff say they thoroughly enjoy working at the nursery and feel very well supported by leaders.