Nether Green Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and settled at the nursery. Caring and enthusiastic staff welcome them at the start of each session. Older children excitedly find their picture to self-register and place it on their peg before independently taking off and hanging up their coats. Children are pleased to see their friends on arrival. They eagerly join in with the activities that staff set out to engage them in learning.

Staff support children expertly as they play. They extend children's learning, following their interests. For example, when some children show an interest in transport, staff set out furniture to replicate a bus. Children enjoy using their imaginations as they discuss their destination and enjoy singing 'The Wheels on the Bus'. This extends their communication and language. Staff talk to children about what they are doing. Children develop their language skills. For example, staff introduce new vocabulary, such as 'molten lava' and 'eruption', when children excitedly carry out an experiment and watch the volcano that they have built erupt.

Children behave well. Staff are positive role models and have high expectations of children. Children receive lots of encouragement and beam with pride as staff praise their achievements. Staff ensure that children have regular opportunities to explore and play outside. This has a positive impact on children's health and well-being. It gives them a wide variety of opportunities to practise and develop their physical skills as they run, jump, climb and throw. Children learn to share and take turns with play equipment, gently guided by attentive staff.

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

• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) progress well. Staff monitor and observe children to identify any additional needs. When needed, they seek further support from external agencies and follow advice given to support children to reach their full potential.
• The nursery works well with outside agencies. However, staff do not liaise with other providers who have shared care of children. This does not allow staff to gain a full picture of children attending more than one setting and provide continuity in children's learning.
• Staff encourage children to be independent. Children take off and put on their own coats and shoes, use the toilet and wash their hands independently, pour their own drinks and self-serve at mealtimes. This gives children a sense of responsibility and high self-esteem.
• There is an ambitious, progressive curriculum in place for all children with a focus on independence, self-esteem and school readiness. Children enjoy and engage in planned activities. However, the intent behind some activities is not always clear, which does not always ensure a focused and meaningful learning experience for children.
• Staff promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle. They ensure that children have a choice of healthy snacks and meals. Children understand the importance of promoting good oral hygiene. They participate in toothbrushing activities and discuss the importance of regularly brushing their teeth.
• The nursery promotes sustainability. Children enjoy planting in the garden and looking after plants, herbs and vegetables. They discuss the importance of recycling. This gives children a good understanding of the world around them.
• Staff value and respect all cultures and abilities. Children explore similarities and differences between different faiths and cultural communities. Children have access to a variety of books, songs and resources celebrating diversity. Staff encourage parents and carers to come into the nursery to talk to children about their own cultures and experiences. Children enjoy trying different food from around the world. These activities positively promote the diverse world in which children live and prepare them for life in modern Britain.
• Leaders and staff establish friendly and positive relationships with parents. They share information about children's individual care achievements verbally and through an online system. This effective communication supports continuity in all children's care and learning. Parents highly recommend the care and learning that the nursery provides.
• Leaders value their staff team. They empower staff to use their strengths and knowledge to enhance the nursery. Staff report high team morale. They feel well supported by managers, which promotes a harmonious learning environment for children. Leaders hold regular appraisals with staff and identify a programme of appropriate training and professional development.
• Staff provide children with many opportunities to enjoy looking at books, on their own, with friends, with an adult and as a whole group. Children enjoy trips to the library. These opportunities help to promote children's love of reading.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• build positive working relationships with settings that have shared care of children, to support children to reach their full potential
• plan a clear intent for activities to enable children to progress and achieve their next steps in learning.