Newby Early Years

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in the nursery. They show enthusiasm and high levels of engagement in activities. Staff have high expectations for all children. They provide exceptional levels of challenge and support, which are tailored to meet children's individual learning needs. Children make excellent progress across every area of learning. For example, they use advanced language skills to share their ideas, suggestions and knowledge during group times. Children talk about the importance of hydration and good hygiene. They laugh and show excitement as staff pretend to be untidy in the snack area. Children remind staff of the rules and boundaries in the nursery. Their behaviour is consistently exemplary and they have an excellent understanding of their own safety.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders and staff have worked exceptionally hard to close gaps in children's communication, personal, social and emotional skills. This has had a significant impact for children, and these are now areas of strength in their development. Staff work in close partnership with the school. They regularly reflect on the skills children need for the next stages in their learning. Children are extremely well prepared for starting school. They have high levels of independence and confidence. Parents leave highly complimentary feedback for the nursery. They say how staff 'go above and beyond, love their jobs and love the children'. Others say their children have 'a fantastic start and have bloomed here'.

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

• Staff's teaching is inspirational. Children benefit from a clear, ambitious curriculum and develop strong foundations for the future. They demonstrate high levels of focus and concentration, beyond the typical expectations for their age. Leaders quickly identify children who have potential delay in their learning. Staff use highly effective targeted interventions to help close gaps swiftly.
• Children use extensive vocabulary and are eager to share their knowledge during discussions. Staff consistently use open questions and extend their conversations. For example, children talk about how they need to have 'good hygiene'. Staff carefully question their understanding and ask 'how' and 'why'. Children use words such as 'hydration' and know how to keep teeth healthy.
• Staff provide an effective balance of adult-led and child-led experiences. For example, staff plan focused group time each day with their key children. Some children develop their mathematical skills and use the dice to play games. Staff challenge them to recognise how many spots are on the pattern on the dice face. Other children learn about Chinese greetings as part of their celebration of the Chinese New Year.
• Outdoors, children choose to explore the ice and talk to staff about the extra safety precautions they should take. They confidently discuss safety rules in the woodland area. Children show interest in the fairy garden and are keen to write messages and questions for the fairies to answer. Staff extend and challenge their early writing skills as they encourage them to use the sound mat to help them write independently.
• Staff promote children's love of stories and use every opportunity to develop their literacy skills. Children show excitement when it is time for a story and sit quietly on the carpet area. They understand that some books are stories and others are factual information books. Staff encourage children to recall and retell stories. They use the hidden messages to teach children about friendship, differences and kindness.
• Parents are consistently involved in their children's learning. Staff provide books from the lending library and send activities home for children to complete. For example, children made firework pictures with their families and talked about their creations at circle time with staff. This helps to promote continuity of learning and has had a positive impact on children's progress and parents' engagement.
• Children have exceptional opportunities to learn about their community and the world around them. Staff take them on the bus around the local area to visit the beach. They regularly visit the elderly in a nearby facility and thoroughly enjoy being creative, making bird boxes. This has had a significant impact on children's social skills and improved well-being for the residents.
• Staff are excellent role models for children. They are kind, caring and dedicated in their work with children. Children have close relationships with all staff and benefit from their nurturing, caring approach. They demonstrate they feel safe and secure in the nursery. This has a positive impact on children's emotional well-being.
• Leaders and managers work closely with staff to maintain excellence. They help staff to continually reflect and evaluate their practice with children at the heart of their decisions. For example, extra funding is carefully monitored to ensure it has the best impact for children. Staff meet weekly to discuss any improvements they can make and leaders encourage them to celebrate their achievements.