New Birth Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this extremely nurturing and caring nursery. Children approach activities with enthusiasm and excitement and are eager to learn. There is a sense of purpose and focus all around the nursery. Babies investigate playing with tins. They bang the tins, making music and sing their favourite nursery rhymes. Older children make their own pizzas. They taste the different toppings, so they can make sure that their pizza is just right. Children spread the tomato on the base, developing their hand muscles and learning that they need the paste for their toppings to stick.

Children are confident and proud of their achievements. They role play making teas and coffees. They are excited to explain how the coffee is made and share it with staff and visitors. Children demonstrate excellent behaviour. They show kindness and consideration for each other, and this results in high levels of well-being.

Children are aware of keeping safe. They clear up after they have finished cooking activities and snack. They sweep the floor and wipe down the tables. Children explain the risks of leaving it as they could slip. Children have a true sense of belonging. They know the rules and boundaries and why they are in place.

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

• Staff provide an ambitious and well-planned curriculum that keeps children engaged and focused on their learning. Staff know how to move children on in their learning and this results in children making good progress. For example, older children examine tomato seeds and recall when they planted seeds in the garden. Younger children confidently sing and follow the actions to nursery rhymes. Staff ensure children's learning is consolidated and their knowledge is embedded through revisiting activities.
• There are strong relationships between staff and children. All children are treated with the utmost care and respect. Staff model exemplary behaviour and are gentle and kind. They respect the children's individuality and adapt activities to meet their needs and interests.
• Children make good progress in their ability to be independent. This results in high levels of confidence. Children wash their hands in preparation for snack. They chop up the fruit, counting how many pieces they have and then share them out with their friends. They pour their own drinks and tidy away after themselves. Children confidently put on their own coats and persevere to do up the fastenings. Staff empower children to carry out small tasks. The youngest children attempt to serve their own meals and staff build on their learning, giving them praise for the smallest achievements.
• Staff support children's physical development. For example, children prepare vegetables in the mud kitchen. They skilfully peel carrots and chop green beans. Staff demonstrate how to use the peeler and support children until they have mastered it. They discuss the vegetables and where they grow, which supports children's understanding of life cycles.
• Staff talk to children about different cultures. For example, when playing in the Chinese restaurant, children play with and use chopsticks to pick up noodles. Staff explain that people from different cultures use different utensils to eat. They explain that in some cultures people eat with their hands. This supports children's understanding of diversity.
• Leaders focus heavily on promoting children's language and communication. Staff sing to young children spontaneously. They discuss what they are eating at mealtimes and when they are going to wipe their faces. Older children have in-depth discussions about different types of dinosaurs. They recall and repeat the different dinosaurs' names. However, there are occasions when staff ask questions, but do not give children sufficient time to respond.
• Leaders are committed to providing the very best care and education for children. They have robust systems in place to monitor staff practice and hold regular supervision meetings. Staff report that their morale and well-being is high and that they feel very well supported and part of a team.
• Leaders and staff develop good partnerships with parents. Parents say they would highly recommend the nursery and say their child is making good progress. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's progress and any changes within the nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to further understand the importance of allowing children sufficient time to respond to questions.