Pollyannas Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive happy and are warmly greeted by staff who know the children and families very well. Staff take the time to learn about each child's interests, home environment and developmental stage when they first join. This ensures a smooth settling-in process for children. They form strong bonds with staff, who offer warm, sensitive and caring interactions. Children's behaviour is good, as staff set clear expectations and boundaries. Children confidently remember the importance of sharing, taking turns and using good manners. The nursery has a calm and focused atmosphere, where all children engage in play harmoniously with one another.

Staff are positive role models for children's developing speech. They repeat back words that children say, helping to put one word into simple sentences. They help the children to learn and understand the meaning of new words.

Staff promote children's independence in many ways. They help them to access their lunch and drinks independently. They encourage them to put their coats away after outdoor play. Staff show children how to put their coats on and take them off independently. Children have lots of opportunities to select their own activities and games. Staff are well deployed across the setting. They engage with small groups of children, guiding their play. This ensures that children are engaged and occupied in what they are doing.

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

• Leaders plan a well-thought-out curriculum for all children. They have clear aims and goals for all children to achieve.
• Leaders offer strong support to staff, personally and professionally, and staff greatly appreciate this. They ensure that staff attend relevant training, such as safeguarding, working with babies and forest schools, to enhance their practice. Staff are also given time to pursue further qualifications.
• Staff regularly share information with parents to support their children's development, providing daily feedback at pick-up times. They also provide parents with weekly updates on what their child has learned and will be learning.
• Parents highly appreciate the support that staff provide. They note how their children eagerly look forward to attending the nursery. Parents also value the additional information shared through the online app, which allows them to share updates of their children's learning experiences at home.
• Older children are very kind towards the younger children. They are positive role models who help younger children to learn the daily routine and expectations. For example, at mealtimes, they demonstrate good manners. Staff offer children plenty of warm praise, supporting their self-esteem well.
• Staff actively support children to develop their language, communication and collaborative skills. For example, during group activities, they encourage conversation, turn-taking and group discussions. Staff incorporate new vocabulary and singing into the daily routine to enhance children's early literacy skills.
• Staff help all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to build positive relationships and develop their skills. They focus learning so that it is targeted at children's individual needs. All children make good progress from their starting points.
• Staff make regular observations and assessments of children's abilities and have a good understanding of what children know and can do. Staff use these assessments to plan precisely what children need to learn next.
• During group times, staff help children to learn some simple mathematical concepts. They count with them and talk about the numbers. However, mathematical concepts are not consistently introduced in child-initiated play to help children to develop deeper knowledge in this area.
• Staff provide resources to help children engage in mark making and develop their fine motor skills. For example children collect natural objects from forest schools that they use as paintbrushes. This supports children with their pre-literacy skills.
• Children have lots of opportunities to be active in the fresh air and develop their physical skills. Babies enjoy exploring the nursery's outdoor area. Two-year-olds giggle and have fun as they climb and slide down the slide. Pre-school children relish their forest school sessions, which supports their confidence, resilience and self-esteem. Leaders ensure that these activities are available for all children who attend on different days. This ensures that all children benefit from these exciting experiences.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to introduce more mathematical concepts into everyday play to extend children's developing mathematical knowledge.