Nonsuch Park Forest School Nursery Lodge

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are at the heart of everything that this nursery does. Each child is recognised as a unique individual. The manager and her team have the highest aspirations for all children. They have created a highly ambitious curriculum that is implemented extremely well by staff and embedded securely. Children are extremely motivated across the vibrant, highly stimulating learning environment, where teaching is inspiring. This helps all children, including the most able and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to have a positive attitude to learning and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Excellent teaching skills are demonstrated by staff. Children learn about the season of autumn, including what some animals do during this time. Children learn new vocabulary, such as 'hibernation' as they develop their small muscles making clay hedgehogs. Children demonstrate their understanding of this concept as they cover their hedgehogs with leaves in readiness for the cold weather. Furthermore, staff skilfully reinforce learning by using books and rhymes. They use the children's favourite story 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' to look for dens for the bear to hibernate in. This reinforces children's learning.

Children show high levels of respect and consideration towards each other. They are extremely happy and highly engaged in their play, frequently inviting their friends to join in. Children's behaviour is highly impressive, and this supports their overall well-being.

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

• Staff expertly deliver a curriculum that is centred on exploration and discovery indoors and outdoors. They focus heavily on encouraging children to be independent, resilient and excellent problem solvers. Staff's teaching and the awe-inspiring use of the highly simulating environment and resources contribute strongly to outstanding outcomes for children.
• Staff support children's physical development very well. They provide a wealth of opportunities for children to be physically active, both in the large nursery outdoor spaces and at forest school. Young toddlers use their big muscles to balance on beams. Older children take and manage risks when they expertly climb trees. They make excellent progress with their physical skills.
• Staff deployment is excellent, and staff's high-quality interactions help each child to succeed. Staff use their observations of what children know and can do to provide motivational and challenging experiences. For instance, children concentrate intently as they learn to use new tools such as wooden hammers. Children have a wealth of opportunities to develop both their large and smaller muscles groups, preparing them for later learning, such as writing.
• Staff meticulously plan learning experiences, considering how to build on children's prior knowledge in each area of learning. They provide stimulating challenges for the most able children. For instance, they support children greatly in maths, encouraging them to add and subtract with the leaves they have collected in the forest. Children develop a deep understanding of numbers to ten and beyond.
• Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff are excellent role models who are kind calm and sensitive. They know all children extremely well and this helps them develop excellent attachments. Children are very kind and thoughtful. For instance, as they climb up hills in the forest, they hold hands and pull each other up.
• Children with SEND receive exceptional individualised support to enable them to have the best experiences. Staff quickly identify any delay in development. The manager and staff work closely with parents and outside agencies to get children the help they need. External professionals regularly visit the nursery to provide staff with strategies to help children make the best possible progress.
• Children who speak English as an additional language develop their understanding of the English language quickly. Staff gather key vocabulary from parents about the children's home language to enhance their acquisition of English. Staff and children embrace the celebrations of various cultures and religious events, embedding a deep and meaningful respect for the diversity of all people.
• Significant priority is given to children's safety. Staff develop children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe exceptionally well. For example, children speak about how they safely 'set' a fire at forest school. Staff teach children about how to keep themselves safe on walks within the park grounds. For example, children quickly identify that they must not eat any plants as they may be poisonous.
• The manager monitors and supports staff extremely well. Staff receive consistent support through robust and comprehensive supervision. This develops their ongoing professional development.