Partou Bumpkins Day Nursery & Forest School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive and succeed in this nurturing nursery. They excitedly greet staff when they arrive and are eager to begin their day. Children are extremely independent. At lunchtime they find their place cards, and those children who are more proficient at word recognition, help their friends find their names. Children are keen to find out what is for lunch and use serving spoons and tongs with ease to serve themselves. These well-established routines and excellent sequential teaching promote all children's independence and self-esteem to the highest level.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They confidently show their understanding of why rules are in place. This is especially evident in the forest-school area. Staff recap safety rules with children each day. Children show their deep understanding of what to do as they eloquently explain why rules are in place. They know if they hear the wolf call, they must stop immediately and they consistently adhere to this, without hesitation. During outdoor play, children initiate their own investigations, such as looking for bugs in damp areas. Staff nurture children's inquisitiveness by providing guidance and additional information when required. Children are eager to pull up carrots they have grown and compare sizes, as they look forward to tasting them.

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

• Managers have high expectations for every child. There is a clear, robust curriculum in place. This allows all children to make swift progress across the learning areas. Teaching is differentiated well and appropriately. Expectations of the children are high, regardless of their age and stage of development. Consequently, all children make exceptional progress.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported by passionate and experienced staff. Children with SEND have targeted next steps in learning in place, which are developed alongside parents and specialist outside agencies. This ensures that all children receive the highest standard of teaching, which is adapted to their level of learning.
• Early literacy skills are fully embedded and weave seamlessly throughout the nursery. Children relish sharing books with staff and listening to stories in group times. Children show their hunger for learning as they ask what words mean. Staff skilfully use children's favourite books as a foundation for topics. For example, children enjoy a range of colour-mixing activities which enhance their understanding of the story 'The Smeds and the Smoos'.
• Partnerships with parents are excellent. Parents feel well informed about their children's learning. They state that children thrive in a stimulating environment and are making excellent progress. Parents have many opportunities to express their ideas and views on the nursery. Mangers and staff reflect on these through their effective evaluation processes.
• The knowledgeable staff provide children with a rich set of stimulating experiences outdoors. Children are curious to experiment with sticks and paint as they make marks and draw pictures. Children are highly active as they run, climb and hide from their friends. Staff use water play activities to introduce children to numbers, counting and volume. Children create imaginary stories and games together, as staff inspire them to extend their ideas.
• Managers place a strong emphasis on sustainability. Many resources are made from natural materials and have more than one purpose. Children are learning how to look after the world. For example, they have planted a range of trees in the forest-school area provided by the Woodland Trust.
• Transitions to primary school are of high importance. Children are equipped with a wealth of skills and knowledge to prepare them for their move to school. They use tools, such as pencils and scissors with ease. Children's speech and language skills are of a high level. They use words, such as 'nocturnal', to describe animals that are awake at night. Children talk about their next stage of learning with glee and excitement.
• The management team is exceptional. Leaders' meticulous self-evaluation and reflection means the provision for children is continually adapted and extended. Staff state that they feel highly supported by the managers, who care about their well-being and listen to their ideas. Staff regularly access high-quality training to improve their already impressive teaching skills.