Platform One Nursery Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children feel happy and safe in this nurturing nursery. Babies are reassured by the familiar routines and secure relationships with their key persons. As a result, they confidently explore the resources and babble to staff during their play. Older children enjoy the wide range of experiences on offer to them. They are eager to express their ideas and needs because they know that staff will listen and respond to them. For instance, children tell staff that they would like to have paints out rather than play dough. This enables them to explore their interest and curiosity in mixing colours. They focus intently on the activity and are excited by the discoveries that they make.

Children respond positively to staff's high expectations. They know how they should behave and why. This helps to keep the environment and the daily routines calm and orderly. Children develop their independence from an early age. For instance, babies learn to use cutlery and take their shoes off when coming in from the garden. Older children skilfully peel and slice the fruit for their snacks. Children enjoy being active and love to spend time in their garden. They develop their larger-muscle movements as they climb, balance and ride scooters.

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

• The managers lead the team well and have clear plans to develop the nursery. For example, they have introduced a new system for planning the curriculum. This ensures that children's own choices and interests are reflected in the activities and learning experiences. Managers and staff describe the positive impact this has had on children's engagement and attitudes to learning.
• Staff know the children well. They monitor their progress accurately and provide experiences to support their individual interests and development. Staff identify where children need extra help with learning and incorporate additional strategies to support them. For instance, staff use picture cards to explain the routines for children who speak English as an additional language. All children make good progress from their starting points.
• The curriculum covers all areas of learning, and these are incorporated into activities throughout the day. Children have many opportunities to experiment with different media and to explore sensory materials. They use their imagination to create and think critically, as they design pasta 'jewellery' or combine ingredients in their mud kitchen.
• Children benefit from clear and consistent boundaries in the nursery. Therefore, they understand what is expected of them and feel secure. Children's behaviour is excellent. They are kind and respectful to staff and their friends. Children take turns, share resources and use good manners. They listen to staffs' gentle guidance and follow the daily routines well.
• The support for children's language and communication skills is a strength. Staff share stories, songs and conversations with children of all ages throughout the day. They comment on babies' play and repeat key vocabulary. This helps babies to understand a wide variety of words and encourages them to babble and practise speech sounds. Older children demonstrate the benefits of learning within a language-rich environment. They express themselves freely and hold interesting discussions with adults and other children.
• Children enjoy nutritious meals and daily outdoor play at the nursery, which supports their physical health and well-being. Staff encourage children to eat a variety of fruit and vegetables, and speak to them about brushing their teeth. However, staff could do more to extend children's understanding of healthy lifestyles, such as the effects of food and exercise on their bodies.
• Staff say that they are well supported by the managers and enjoy working at the nursery. They complete mandatory training to ensure that they know how to keep children safe. However, there is less focus on developing their understanding of the areas of learning to consistently enrich and enhance their teaching of the curriculum.
• Parents speak very positively about the setting. They comment on how approachable and supportive staff are. Parents receive regular feedback about their child's experiences and achievements. They say they feel involved in their child's learning, as staff share songs, books and activities for them to enjoy together at home.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help staff to broaden children's understanding of the benefits of living healthy lifestyles
• support staff to develop their teaching skills and knowledge of the early years curriculum, to further strengthen the good practice and improve outcomes for children.