Nanny Bears Childcare

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are safe, secure and highly motivated to learn new skills in this small and nurturing nursery. Their curiosity develops through an extensive range of activities that appeal to their interests and immerses them in exploring by using their senses. For example, play with shaving foam engages children in moulding, exploring texture and mark making.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the nursery closed for a short time. On children's return to the setting, staff were quick to identify any gaps in children's learning. As a result, they introduced innovative learning opportunities that targeted children's communication and social skills and their ability to play.

Routines expertly match those from home, enabling children to settle quickly with key persons, who know the children extremely well. Children make excellent progress from their starting point. They learn about numbers, shapes and letters through play, supported by exceptionally skilled adults who model and extend learning in all activities. Children develop a huge love of books, rhymes and stories. Staff skilfully link these to a wide range of activities to help all children develop excellent language and literacy skills.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They share, take turns and socialise in play and at mealtimes. They are incredibly independent and confident. They demonstrate high levels of self-esteem encouraged by adults who have high expectations for learning and behaviour, focusing on children's unique development needs.

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

• Parent partnerships are extremely strong and effective. Parents feel fully included in their children's experiences and have daily updates and regular progress meetings to contribute to their children's learning plans. This enables consistency in routines and shared aspirations for learning of skills and knowledge.
• Children access an exciting, well-planned and broad curriculum that enables them to build on what they know and constantly acquire new skills. A highly effective key-person system is in place to further enhance their experiences.
• Staff plan together and have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the learning needs of all children in the group.
• Staff extend children's love of books, enabling them to take a book with linked activities home to share with parents.
• Leaders and managers have created a unique ethos for this nursery as an extension from home. This is visible in the highly engaging environment, each activity and routine. For example, an adult shares a range of chosen books while children gather in the cushioned book area and snuggle in a blanket, listening intently. They have their own sleeping mat, bedding and comforter and quickly fall asleep while adults sit close by.
• Adults are calm and respectful as they respond to children's questions and gestures. Children are happy and fully engaged, seeking reassurance from receptive adults when needed. They show confidence and independence when making choices and exploring their ideas.
• Rhymes are naturally used throughout the day to develop language and increase vocabulary. Adults skilfully listen, model and extend language, linking rhymes to a play situation. For example, when making play dough and using star cutters, staff prompt children to sing a rhyme about stars to deepen their understanding.
• Early literacy and numeracy skills are extremely well promoted throughout all activities. Staff adapt play and activities to match children's specific learning needs and interests. They follow each child's lead. For example, an activity involving brushing 'dinosaur teeth' encourages some children to explore the sensory aspects of the materials used. This in turn leads to children counting and also using tools for making marks and creating patterns.
• Children thoroughly enjoy daily opportunities to be outside and in the community. They ask thoughtful questions about the crane they see on the green, noticing changes to their environment. Staff encourage children to be observant, as they look out for numbers on gate posts and search for items with textures that replicate those from a favourite book. Staff ensure they take equipment, such as balls to extend children's physical skills.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are extremely well supported. Staff identify their needs early and interventions are put in place. Staff link closely with outside agencies to ensure that all those involved provide consistent support to help all children make the best possible progress.
• Children find out about the diverse range of people in their community and wider world through highly inspiring resources. They celebrate festivals and extend their knowledge through innovative discussions and trips out. Staff celebrate children's individuality within the nursery. They respect each child's unique interests, preferences and needs. Tolerance of others feeds through all aspects of the daily routine.