Nature Time Childcare

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children's happiness and well-being are of utmost priority. They thrive in this nurturing and inclusive nursery. Staff offer a warm welcome to every child and their family and build supportive relationships that contribute to children's high levels of emotional security. The calm atmosphere is filled with smiles. Children relax and learn in a space where they are free to express themselves and develop pride in who they are. They very quickly develop a strong sense of belonging.

The curriculum is inspired by relevant early childhood theories and is shaped by the needs and interests of the children attending. Staff draw on expert knowledge to carefully plan play and learning experiences in an inviting environment that ignites children's interests and nurtures their independence. Very young children, for example, demonstrate this when they insist 'I do it' when staff offer to help after they have persevered with new tasks. Children are highly motivated and eager to learn.

Teaching is instinctive and responsive. Staff know children extremely well and have clear aims and high expectations for their learning. Meticulous plans help to ensure that the curriculum is broad, balanced and supports all areas of child development. Staff adapt their approach and activities for children who need a different level of challenge or support. This helps to ensure that all children, regardless of their individual starting points, receive high-quality learning and care that is tailored precisely to them. All children are successful learners who make strong progress.

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

• Leaders are passionate, forward-thinking and create a culture of reflection and growth. Their research-led vision guides practice, and they actively seek ways to enhance quality. Professional development is sharply focused and quickly implemented. For example, staff swiftly introduce many ways to 'scoop', such as during breakfast, in the sand tray and during water play, following training about how children learn through repeated experiences.
• Staff well-being is of high importance, and leaders promote this with integrity. They create time and space for team connection and reflection. Regular meetings help to ensure that staff feel valued and listened to, as well as to understand the high expectations of their role. Staff say that leaders have 'made a real difference' to their 'personal well-being and professional confidence'. This contributes to the positivity within the team. Staff bring energy, enthusiasm and focus to their roles.
• Learning is led by children. Staff skilfully observe how they play and engage, then focus their teaching to shape and extend learning. When children show a spark of interest, staff model curiosity, ask questions to encourage thinking and weave in valuable skills and knowledge. For instance, staff teach children about number and position when they act out a familiar story in the building area. Children work through their ideas at their own pace. This helps them to reflect, solve problems and think critically. They show excellent levels of motivation and sustained focus.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from personalised support. Staff use specific strategies to support children with diverse needs. Their expert knowledge, empathy and commitment contribute to the highly effective, inclusive practice. This helps to ensure that all children are able to access the curriculum and make the best possible progress that they can in their learning. Every child is valued, understood and supported to succeed.
• Routines are very well embedded and understood, even by the youngest children. For example, they join in familiar songs that help to ensure that transitions between activities are calm and predictable. This consistency helps children to feel secure. It supports their confidence and growing independence, as they learn what to expect and how to respond.
• Staff's positive approach embraces children's natural and instinctive behaviours as teachable moments. They support them to understand the impact they have on others, and children learn to manage their emotions and deal with conflict. They show kindness, for example, when one child checks that each of their friends has a drink before they sit down for their meal.
• Strong partnerships with parents help to enhance outcomes for children. Stay- and-play sessions, for example, give parents first-hand experience of ways to extend their children's learning and provide key opportunities to discuss their children's progress. Staff offer expert advice and act as trusted advocates when children need additional support beyond nursery. Parents value the excellent communication and thank staff for including their views and priorities in plans for children's learning.
• Much thought goes into supporting children's good health. Staff are diligent throughout all care routines. For example, they check the strength of the sun on cloudy days to see if sun screen is needed and supervise children closely while they sleep. Children learn about the importance of nutritious food and personal hygiene through conversations, role modelling and daily routines that embed lifelong habits.