Once Upon A Time Nursery School - White House Farm

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish and thrive in this highly nurturing nursery. They quickly become absorbed in rich and engaging activities that ignite their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Staff are exemplary role models for children and consistently demonstrate positive behaviours and skills. They skilfully teach children to identify their emotions, such as through the use of familiar stories and group activities. For example, children make faces with play dough and discuss their emotions. Staff encourage them to look at the similarities and differences between themselves and their peers. Staff quickly recognise and praise children's efforts and achievements. This boosts children's self-esteem and develops their confidence.

Staff empower children to understand that their thoughts and ideas are important. Every morning, children vote for two helpers of the day. This supports them to develop a sense of democracy and know their voice has meaning. Staff expertly support children's communication and language skills. They engage children in rich and purposeful conversations. Staff use open-ended questions to deepen children's understanding and spark meaningful conversations. They weave books, stories and songs seamlessly into daily routines. This enriches children's learning across all areas of the curriculum. Staff carefully select high-quality and meaningful texts that enhance the learning environment and reflect children's interests and developmental needs. They deliver stories with energy and enthusiasm. This captures children's attention and fosters a love of literacy from an early age.

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

• The nursery has an ambitious curriculum that gives children the broad range of knowledge, skills and experiences they need to succeed in life. Staff adapt learning experiences to support children's individual needs and next steps in learning. They deliver thoughtfully planned activities based on children's interests and their recent observations and assessments. Staff know their key children incredibly well. They ensure that all activities have a purpose and goal. All children make excellent progress in their learning and development. They are prepared for the next stage of their education for when they go to school.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive superb support from highly skilled staff and special educational needs and/or disabilities coordinators. They expertly use their knowledge of each child to provide personalised targets and strategies to ensure they get the support they need at the earliest opportunity. Staff work closely with other professionals and parents and carers remarkably well. This collaborative approach creates an inclusive environment and ensures that all children have the same learning experiences.
• Staff are exceptionally skilful in building on children's learning. For instance, they embed mathematical concepts superbly into the curriculum for children from a young age. Staff encourage younger children to count the fruit in their bowls at snack time and to recognise how many they have when one is taken away. Older children gain a greater depth of understanding of quantity and measurements, such as when staff support them as they explore in the water tray.
• Staff develop excellent relationships with parents, who speak highly of the support they provide for their children. Parents feel valued and involved in every aspect of their children's learning. They attend regular meetings with key persons to discuss their children's development and take part in events and stay- and-play sessions. Parents comment that the nursery is a 'home away from home', where children are at the heart of everything staff do.
• Staff seize every opportunity to promote children's understanding of leading a healthy lifestyle. Children go on regular walks to the local farm, where they explore in the orchards and learn where their food comes from. They harvest the food grown in their nursery's vegetable garden and use this in their meals and snacks. Staff teach children about the importance of good oral health. Children eagerly brush their teeth in the nursery everyday and discuss why this is important.
• The leadership and management team is inspirational, with a clear and ambitious vision for continuously enhancing the quality of provision for children, families and staff. Leaders place a strong emphasis on staff's well-being. They are dedicated to nurturing and further developing their skilled and experienced team. Leaders offer a broad range of high-quality professional development opportunities to ensure that staff continuously build on their knowledge and skills. They monitor staff's practice excellently through discussions and regular supervision sessions. This results in an enthusiastic, professional and reflective team of staff, who work exceptionally well together and enjoy their roles.