Nursery Rhymes

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this exceptional nursery where staff put children at the heart of everything they do. Children show that they feel safe and secure as they rush off to greet their friends and explore the environment. Staff support children to develop strong bonds with their peers and the adults in the nursery. They are friendly, warm and welcoming as children arrive and happily leave their parents. Staff are sensitive to children's individual emotional needs, and this helps children to settle quickly.

The atmosphere in the nursery is lively and purposeful. Staff plan and implement an ambitious and exciting curriculum that covers all areas of learning successfully. Children enjoy a range of stimulating activities based on their interests and next steps in learning. For example, children participate in weekly beach school sessions. They learn about textures of real-life objects, such as shells and pebbles. Children receive outstanding high-quality interactions from the staff who care for them. All children make exceptionally good progress in their learning from their starting points.

Children's behaviour is exceptional. Staff are excellent role models, using calm voices and getting down to children's level to speak to them. Children listen to staff, follow instructions, and join in with the daily routines. Staff recognise and praise children when they demonstrate positive learning behaviours. This supports children's self-esteem and confidence well.

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

• The leadership team are committed to providing high quality care and education for all children, especially those that are disadvantaged, or with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They work closely with parents and professionals to ensure that additional funding is best spent to help children with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to thrive. Staff are extremely knowledgeable and put timely support in place once any gaps in children's development have been identified.
• Staff prioritise getting to know children and their families. They have an in-depth knowledge of the unique needs of the children, and this is supported by an effective settling-in process. Staff carry out home visits before children start. They complete regular assessments and observations to identify what each child needs to learn next. Staff use this information to adapt their interactions, activities and experiences to suit each child's learning needs and interests.
• Staff support children's language development exceptionally well. They listen to what children have to say and engage in meaningful conversations with them. Staff use sign language when narrating and speaking to children and visual cards to aid communication. They provide consistent opportunities for children to learn new words. For instance, children learn the word 'hydrated' as they drink their water. Staff give children appropriate explanations to support them to make connections in learning.
• Children develop their independence from a young age. The environment is carefully planned to enable children to make their own decisions about what they play with. Children enjoy the responsibility of helping to tidy up. They wash their own hands before and after food and pour their own drinks. Children are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their learning.
• Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents are extremely positive about the care and education their children receive. They describe how staff support not only their children but the whole family. Staff provide detailed face-to-face daily feedback, online photos, learning books and termly parent meetings to discuss children's learning and next steps. Staff provide tailored home learning ideas and activities. These positive relationships help children's consistency of learning.
• The leadership team are highly reflective and strive for excellence. Staff welfare is a priority. Leaders work closely with the staff team to mentor and strengthen their practice. They complete regular observations of staff during their interactions with children and link this with setting targets and training. Staff benefit from ongoing professional development to enhance their skills. Supervision sessions and appraisals are conducted routinely to monitor staff's progress and development.
• Staff prioritise children's health, well-being and physical development. Children benefit from weekly well-being sessions to help them understand how they are feeling. Staff provide children with daily outdoor play to support their physical development. Children know about oral hygiene as they participate in the 'brush bus' and learn about looking after their teeth. Staff encourage parents to provide healthy lunch boxes for their children and children have healthy snacks each day.