N Family Club

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children at this nursery are extremely happy and portray a sense of belonging. They feel safe and secure with the kind and caring staff around them. The quality of education is excellent. Staff expertly use their knowledge of individual children's interests and development to enrich their learning. For instance, children acquire vocabulary related to their interests, which they enthusiastically create into songs. They confidently teach their peers, and together they sing with glee and pride.

There is a clear focus on developing children's communication and language skills. Staff skilfully model this through routines and activities, introducing children to new vocabulary to build on what they already know. For instance, staff prepare interesting science activities following children's recent interest in frost they have observed during their outings. Children become captivated at all levels. Toddlers enjoy the sensory experiences as they explore the hidden sea animals in the ice and feel it melt in their hands.

Older children are excited as they carefully smash ice with their toy mallets. They engage in deep conversation with staff, who patiently help them to understand the concept of freezing and thawing. Staff discuss why children wear goggles and explore reasons why bigger pieces take longer to break and thaw. These deep and meaningful interactions enable children to thrive in their development and be exceptionally well prepared for the next stages of their learning journey.

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

• Parent partnership is extremely strong. Parents and carers feel valued and enormously supported through the information and advice the nursery provides. Staff offer parents suggestions for continuing their children's learning at home. Parents are completely reassured that their children are safe and happy in the nursery.
• Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities passionately. They promptly identify children's specific needs, swiftly apply appropriate measures for support and work closely with families to access the appropriate help through external agencies.
• Leaders are committed to developing a highly skilled workforce. They fully support staff to enhance their expertise in their specific areas of early years pedagogy to enrich the learning practices for all children. Staff are proud to work in the nursery.
• Staff embrace children's creativity. They introduce the works of various artists to children to enhance their experiences. Children learn about the colours, shapes and patterns the artist has used. They mix paints to replicate the patterns produced by the artist or simply explore the textures and use their imaginations to create abstract art with deep concentration.
• Children explore reading materials enthusiastically, fostering a passion for learning about the world they know and beyond. Toddlers sit themselves in the middle of the floor, captivated by the exciting books they skilfully handle. Older children share them eagerly with staff. They view and create maps for their outings.
• Staff establish a culture of respect through their positive role modelling. This is evident in the kindness children show each other. Children willingly share and make models for their friends to take home.
• Staff are highly skilful as they support children to regulate their emotions, through reassurance and calming techniques. This enables children to manage their behaviour and learn to express themselves confidently.
• Throughout the day, children show high levels of independence. Staff encourage them to put on their outdoor clothing, dish out their food and pour their drinks. Children help to set up tables for meals, clear away plates and wipe up spills. They are proud to do things for themselves, persevering with their tasks and reluctant to seek adult support with their 'can-do' attitude.
• Children are enthusiastic learners. This is because staff value their opinions and involve them in decisions about their learning. Children demonstrate their views through voice recordings, drawings and discussions.
• The nursery celebrates the diversity of their families and community. For example, staff plan activities for children to explore the taste and smell of different types of teas that some cultures use for health benefits. This helps to promote children's understanding of families and communities beyond their own.
• All children benefit from staff's expert knowledge of forest school pedagogy. They develop understanding, love and respect for the natural world around them. Children produce mud paintings and use dried grass and flowers for their 'flower soup'. They make model bird nests and learn how it keeps birds warm and safe.
• Staff extend the forest school experience into the nursery where children immerse themselves in making stickmen. Staff respond spontaneously to their changing interests and allow children to measure their arms and legs with measuring tapes and rulers, consolidating their knowledge of 'short' and 'shorter' and 'long' and 'longer'.
• Dedicated leaders consistently reflect on nursery practice for continuous improvements. They apply the guidance from internal and external advisers.