Nursery Of Narnia and Out Of School Club

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive happy and settle quickly with their friends. Staff build secure attachments and know children's individual needs well. Babies seek comfort from familiar adults, while older children join activities planned around their interests. Staff observe closely and adapt learning, especially for children who attend during term time only. Children enjoy being active and exploring. Babies crawl to toys that spark curiosity. Children explore sensory play, such as sand and rice with hidden dinosaurs to find. The spacious outdoor area is well resourced and inviting. Children collect sticks and leaves, ride scooters and use trikes to build and strengthen their leg muscles and develop their coordination. Staff join play with enthusiasm and motivate children to keep trying. For example, children build tall towers, and when these fall, staff encourage children to rebuild and try again.

Children behave well throughout the nursery. They play together, share and take turns. Staff read stories to help children understand emotions and manage feelings. When behaviour challenges occur, staff respond calmly and help children manage their emotions. They explain why some actions are unacceptable. Staff are positive role models, showing kindness and respect for others. The nursery offers a welcoming and inclusive environment. Staff support learning effectively and create rich opportunities indoors and outdoors. Children feel safe, develop confidence and thrive in this nurturing and stimulating setting.

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

• There is a well-sequenced and balanced curriculum. Staff know what they want children to learn and plan carefully to achieve this. Leaders implement an effective key-person system. This helps children feel safe, secure and ready to learn. Staff monitor children's progress closely. Key persons ensure that learning meets children's individual needs and supports their next steps in learning.
• Staff promote healthy choices. Children choose milk or water to drink and enjoy fruit at snack time. They bring their own food for meals. However, staff do not consistently explore with children why eating a varied and nutritious diet is important for their bodies to stay healthy.
• Staff plan motivating activities that develop children's attention and listening. They build excitement by using their voices effectively, for example by saying 'ready, steady, go' before sprinkling rice in a sensory activity. Staff explain and model tasks clearly. This helps older children to understand what to do before starting, supports their listening skills and helps to build their concentration.
• Children develop fine motor skills through varied activities. Babies explore sensory play to strengthen their small hand muscles. Younger children make 'magic potions' using different-sized scoops. Older children thread pipe cleaners to hold their 'Stickman' in place. These activities support the development of children's hand-eye coordination and prepare them for early writing.
• Staff meet children's care needs successfully. They are respectful and sensitive during personal care giving routines. For example, when changing nappies, staff talk to babies, offer warm smiles and provide reassurance. Children are soothed gently to sleep, which promotes their emotional security and well-being.
• Staff communicate with parents daily and use an online platform to share information on children's learning. They follow routines from home to support continuity of care. However, staff do not consistently share ideas with parents about how to extend children's learning at home.
• Children develop independence skills from an early age. Babies practise feeding themselves with spoons. Older children learn to put on their coats and take off their wellington boots. Staff are ready to help and offer encouragement. This builds children's confidence and supports them to do things for themselves.
• Staff promote children's speech and language development well. Older children enjoy listening to favourite stories outside. Staff model language, speaking clearly and repeating phrases. Younger children join in songs and enjoy cuddles while sharing books. These experiences support children to communicate with increasing confidence and help to develop their early literacy skills.
• Leaders have a good oversight of the nursery. Staff access regular training, such as child development, and benefit from supervision sessions that support their professional development. Parents speak positively about the nursery. They describe it as supportive and comment on how their children make good progress and grow in confidence.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• extend children's understanding of the importance of healthy eating and healthy lifestyles on their bodies
• strengthen partnership with parents to increase children's learning further at home.