Nurture Childcare

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children develop independence from a young age at this vibrant nursery. Staff encourage children to undertake tasks for themselves. The youngest children persevere to get their shoes on and off. Children serve their own meals and pre-school children wash the dishes when they have finished. Staff are warm and nurturing. They provide plenty of reassurance to help new children adapt comfortably to nursery life.

Staff place a strong focus on developing children's language and communication. Staff working with babies narrate, model and repeat simple words and phrases. Babies smile and babble in response. Children thoroughly enjoy joining in to listen to stories or sing rhymes. The sound of staff and children singing joyfully can often be heard resounding through the nursery. That said, leaders recognise that more can be done to enhance staff's understanding of how to provide more focused support for children who speak English as an additional language.

Children learn about the world around them. Older children talk about life cycles and what plants need to help them to grow. Children enjoy sessions away from the nursery to practise yoga or learn how to swim. Staff support children to develop confidence and behave well. Children share resources and wait patiently for their turn on the slide.

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

• Leaders and staff work hard together to provide an effective educational programme for children. Staff feel happy and appreciate the support leaders provide to develop their practice further. There is a clear and sequenced curriculum in place, which consistently builds on children's prior learning and helps prepare them for practical life.
• Staff get to know children well. They carry out regular observations and assessments of learning to establish what children need to learn next. Staff plan activities based on children's current interests. This helps to motivate children to play and learn. There are plenty of sensory experiences for children to explore textures and sensations in their play. Children delight in smelling and identifying different spices.
• Staff identify when gaps or delays in development emerge. Staff work closely with other professionals to implement targeted plans to focus on children's individual needs. As a result, children receive the support they need to make good progress from their starting points.
• The overall quality of teaching is good. Staff interact well with children to enhance their learning. They encourage children to complete puzzles and repeat the process to consolidate learning. Staff promote a love of books. They share books and stories with children, who relish the chance to go and choose a new story to share.
• Staff support children to develop healthy lifestyle habits. Children benefit from nutritious meals and snacks. They have plenty of opportunities for fresh air and exercise. During outdoor play, children enjoy running, climbing and manoeuvring wheeled toys. Children build further on their physical strength as they move their bodies enthusiastically to action songs.
• Children join in a range of activities to develop the muscles they will need for writing. They make marks with pens, pencils and paint. Children show off their pictures proudly and are keen to take them home to show their parents.
• Staff give children gentle reminders to help them to understand what is expected of them. There are simple nursery rules to help promote positive behaviour. Children know to walk indoors and be kind to their friends. Children tidy away toys when they have finished playing with them.
• Staff share regular information with parents. They speak to parents when they drop off or collect children. An online app is used to share further information about children's time at nursery. Parents can attend stay-and-play sessions and join staff and children on nursery trips. However, not all parents benefit from regular information about children's current developmental abilities or next steps, to help them to build on learning at home.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• provide more information about children's development for parents, to help them to build on learning at home
• support staff to develop their skills in supporting children who speak English as an additional language.