Mulberry Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive at the nursery and are lovingly greeted by the kind and nurturing staff. They separate from their parents and/or carers with ease and quickly settle. Children form close and secure bonds with their key person, who gets to know them well. They feel comfortable and confident in their care. Babies have beaming smiles and giggle with joy as they listen to staff singing. They snuggle up to go to sleep as staff sensitively support them to get the rest they need throughout the day.

Children are eager to learn and excited to get involved in the wealth of interesting learning opportunities at the nursery. They benefit from a curriculum that leaders have carefully designed to build on what children know and can do. For instance, two-year-olds begin to learn how to independently serve their lunch. They focus intently as they find their own plates and cutlery and choose the amount of food they would like. Children listen carefully to staff and follow instructions to tidy away their plates when they are finished. Once children have reached the pre-school room, they instinctively know what is expected of them. They enjoy the freedom to choose when to have their lunch. Children love sitting together with staff and their friends, having conversations about their interests and experiences. They learn important social skills and demonstrate good behaviour and manners.

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

• Staff are dedicated to supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They undertake training and research to increase their knowledge of specific needs. Staff work in close partnership with parents and external agencies to create individual and targeted plans to ensure children make the best possible progress. All children are well prepared for their next stage in learning.
• Staff encourage children's love of books. They read to children individually and in small groups. Children look at books independently and enjoy talking to their friends about what they can see. They access a range of books that reflect the diversity of life in modern Britain, challenge gender stereotypes and introduce different cultures from around the world. Children are curious and interested to learn new things.
• Children gain an understanding of mathematical concepts. For example, babies fill and empty different-sized containers with sand. Staff set children challenges, such as measuring the distance between objects in the garden. Children count the number of nails they can hammer into pumpkins to match different numerals. Children learn how to safely use the tools and develop their hand-to-eye coordination as they focus on completing the tasks.
• Staff listen to children and give them the time they need to think and respond to questions. They engage in conversations with children and show interest in what children have to say. However, during some interactions, staff do not consistently support children's understanding of what is happening and why. They do not always give clear explanations and provide further information to extend children's knowledge.
• Staff provide children with plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, babies move freely around the space as they crawl up and down ramps and pull themselves up to stand. Toddlers develop their core strength and agility as they balance on tyres and planks. Older children take part in yoga routines and move their bodies in different ways. They stand on one leg and stretch in different positions. Children begin to learn the impact that movement and exercise has on their bodies.
• Staff teach children to sit, listen and follow instructions during group activities. Although staff's teaching is good overall, they do not always organise activities as effectively as possible to ensure all children are equally involved. For instance, children concentrate and pay attention during a 'bucket time' activity. Staff allow children to have a go at being the group leader. Children take great pride in being given this task. However, when other children want to have a turn, staff do not make time for them to do this. They finish the activity when children still want to continue.
• Leaders are passionate about ensuring staff and parents and/or carers have access to any support they need. For example, parents can attend courses specifically designed to help them understand different aspects of child development. Leaders provide a range of training, benefits and incentives for staff. They understand the positive impact that the well-being of staff and parents has on providing children with the best quality of education and care in both the nursery and at home.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• provide further support for staff to give clearer explanations to children during activities and daily routines, to extend children's knowledge and deepen their understanding
• develop staff's skills further in recognising how to include all children in activities and give them the time they need to finish tasks they are interested in.