Poppy's Children's Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

There is a buzz of excitement from the children as they enter this highly stimulating and nurturing nursery. Children are warmly welcomed by caring staff who form positive relationships with them, which helps them develop a sense of belonging at the nursery. As a result, children feel happy and safe and are keen to explore the inviting environment. Teaching is consistent and tailored to children's individual needs and stages of development. During singing time, staff support babies to sign the words of the song they are singing. Babies show great delight as they wiggle and move their bodies as they sing. Staff incorporate children's real-life experiences into role play, such as going to see the doctor. Older children take on the role of being a doctor and pretend to listen to their friend's heartbeat using a stethoscope. Staff talk about how hearts beat faster when exercising. Children laugh and giggle as they jump up and down and tell staff 'My heart is going fast'.

Staff motivate children to be active learners. Children become curious and make discoveries in their play. For example, as they put the soft sponge ball in the water they tell staff, 'It's heavy'. Staff engage children in meaningful conversations about why the ball is heavy. They say, 'It's got water in it'. Children are respectful and polite. Staff praise children for their good behaviour. This helps to promote children's confidence and self-esteem.

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

• The manager has implemented an ambitious curriculum that is unique to the children in the nursery. Staff expertly build on what children know and can do. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are fully included in all aspects of the routines of the nursery. Staff regularly observe children's progress to assess their next steps. This helps to identify and support children's further learning. As a result, children are making good progress.
• Staff support children's early language development through the love of books, songs and rhymes. Children explore books from a very young age. They become captivated as staff read books with enthusiasm and bring the stories to life. As staff read the story 'We're going on a bear hunt'. Children predict what is going to happen next and call out, 'We're not scared'. Babies snuggle up with staff when listening to a story. They turn the pages over and point to the pictures.
• Children are highly imaginative. They excitedly invite staff to join them as they walk along the plastic toy bricks pretending to avoid the lava. They tell staff, 'Careful and follow me'. Staff play along with enthusiasm to the children's delight as they balance and walk over the lava. Children have a 'can do' attitude' as they attach sticky tape to the plastic bricks to form different shapes. They tell staff, 'Look, the brick has transformed, it now looks like the letter L'.
• Children's mathematical skills are developing well. As staff play alongside children, they model how to count objects. Children successfully count and sequence numbers one to 10. They sing songs, such as 'Five little men in a flying saucer'. Children show great pride as they count how many people have flown away and predict how many are left.
• The manager supports her staff through regular supervision meetings and peer- to-peer observations. She supports staff to access additional training to enhance their knowledge and skills. Staff say they are very happy and feel valued. However, at times communication between staff and the manager is not always consistent. As a result, information is not always passed on in a timely manner to ensure the smooth running of the nursery at all times.
• Staff foster children's independence through everyday activities. Children relish the independence of choosing their play options. They put on their coats as they go outside. Children peel their fruit for snack and pour their drink. They wipe their noses and put the tissue in the bin. Children know to put their hand over their mouth when they cough.
• Parents speak very highly of the nursery. They comment on the excellent care and education their children receive and say, 'It's wonderful.' Parents state they receive lots of communication about their children's development. They comment the nursery offers 'a family environment that is unique'.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen communication links between the staff and manager to underpin the smooth running of the nursery at all times.