North Harrow Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff greet children with smiles as they arrive at the nursery. Children have strong bonds with staff. Staff value each child and have high expectations of them. Staff act as positive role models for behaviour. Children are happy and behave well in this caring environment. Staff encourage children to be independent. They give children clear and consistent messages on the importance of hygiene practices before and after mealtimes and encourage children to tidy away after play. Staff remind them of rules and boundaries to keep safe. For instance, toddlers are supported well on the importance of safety while climbing up and down stairs. Pre-school children practise the 'stop, look and listen' procedure when crossing roads during role-play sessions in the garden.

The curriculum is broad and stimulating. Staff are skilled in tailoring activities to ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are supported well, with targeted plans and heightened ratios of staff where needed. The environment is adapted to ensure that it meets the needs of all learners. Activities support children to maintain focus by, for example, linking activities to their interests. Children learn important skills in preparation for school, and they make good progress.

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

• Staff have a clear understanding of the curriculum intent. They support babies' and older children's developing language very well. Staff give children plenty of time to think and respond to questions. They speak clearly to babies and older children and introduce new language. For example, staff use words such as 'congestion' when older children imagine that they are crossing a busy road. This helps children to build on their language and communication skills.
• Children enjoy their time in the garden. Toddlers develop their large-muscle skills as they step in and out of tyres and climb up the steps to go down the slide. There are plenty of opportunities for children to develop their fine motor skills. For instance, babies squeeze sponges and roll coloured balls in a water tray. Older children practise writing their names, and babies squash cooked jelly and play dough with their fingers. This helps children to strengthen the muscles in their hands in preparation for writing.
• Mathematical language is woven into everyday play. Children learn about volume as they play with sand. They use different-sized scoops, moulds and containers to make sand castles. Staff encourage children to practise reciting numbers in order. For example, children count their fingers, and staff ask them what number comes next. Staff correct them if needed. This supports children to understand the sequencing of numbers.
• Overall, staff promote the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles. They plan cooking activities and encourage children to access fresh air and engage in exercise daily. However, engaging in discussions with children during snack and mealtimes about the benefits of making healthy food choices would support their understanding even further.
• Parents are full of praise for the education and care their children receive. They are appreciative of staff's dedication and say that they bring out the best in children and create a loving, home-from-home environment for them to feel safe, valued and have fun. Parents feel well informed about children's development and next steps in learning through ongoing verbal feedback and an online app. In addition, staff share 'top tips' to help parents extend their children's learning at home even further.
• Staff have a positive, calm approach to supporting children to behave well. They clearly outline their expectations and remind older children that rules are in place to keep them safe. They encourage friendships, teamwork and turn taking.
• Leaders are dedicated and committed. They manage the nursery well and are reflective. This helps leaders to identify and make improvements. Staff feel supported in their work and well-being. They receive ongoing support, including training and professional development. Although leaders are implementing good systems and new approaches, these are not always precise enough to help staff embed their knowledge and skills and build further on their teaching practice.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to help children learn about the benefits of eating healthy foods, to promote their ability to make healthy food choices
• monitor staff training and professional development opportunities to focus more precisely on helping all staff to build on their understanding of safeguarding training and broaden their opportunities to access more training to raise the quality of their practice further.