Nursery On The Green

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy at the nursery and greeted warmly by the friendly staff. They form close bonds with their key persons, who know them well. Children benefit from a varied curriculum that staff plan to help them to make good progress in their learning. Babies feel secure because staff are nurturing, and they enjoy snuggling up to them. Babies move freely, exploring their environment and gaining confidence in their mobility. They excitedly bob up and down while singing 'Five Little Ducks' and enjoy the rhythm. They explore sound while using musical instruments and experiment with texture during sand play.

Older children are good communicators and engage well with their peers. They proudly talk about their families while looking at photos they have brought in from home. This supports their sense of belonging and builds their self-esteem. Staff successfully develop children's understanding of mathematical concepts, such as counting, size and space. During an activity about oral health, children count how many teeth they have and say which teeth are big and small. They know which foods are bad for teeth and talk about when they have visited the dentist and 'sit on the big chair'.

Children behave well and learn expectations. Staff encourage kind and considerate behaviour. Children understand the routines such as helping to scrape their plates clean after lunchtime. Children respond positively to gentle reminders from staff to share and take turns. Younger children are supported to manage their feelings and older children show care and concern for each other.

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

• The leadership team are good role models and enthusiastic. They have been reflective since the last inspection and have taken effective action to address previous actions raised. There have been some changes in the management structure, however, despite this, there is a commitment to providing good quality care for children. Staff have been supported to develop their skills through a range of training opportunities. Subsequently, all children make good progress in their learning.
• Children enjoy being physically active. All children benefit from regular outdoor play opportunities. Babies show delight as staff throw and catch balls with them. Older children skilfully navigate the climbing frame, developing their coordination and balance.
• Children learn about a range of interesting topics. They confidently talk about sunflowers they have planted and know they need water and sunlight to grow. They have opportunities to explore outside of the setting, such as collecting conkers during nature walks. They positively learn about diversity when they focus on the story 'Handa's Surprise'. The nursery has strong community links and actively supports inclusion.
• Overall, staff support children's language and communication skills. Staff regularly read stories and sing songs with children throughout the day. However, there are some missed opportunities to extend children's language and vocabulary through good questioning and engaging children in more meaningful conversations.
• Children benefit from a range of nutritious meals and snacks, which are freshly prepared on site. Mealtimes are a sociable experience. Children's independence skills are supported. Older children self-serve their own meals and babies learn how to put on their coats to play outdoors.
• Staff support children's language through the use of signs and symbols. They obtain some useful key words in children's home languages. However, staff do not use these consistently to further support children who speak English as an additional language.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• develop consistency in staff's teaching of communication and language, to provide more opportunities for children to build their language and thinking skills
• extend staff's knowledge and skills to enable them to support children who speak English as an additional language as well as possible.