Puddleducks Children's Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Kindheartedness surrounds children, families and staff at this exceptionally nurturing nursery. Time is taken each morning to offer a personalised welcome to families. For instance, parents are offered a hot drink and breakfast to ease them into their working day. Children are excited to start their day, which is filled with fascinating experiences and engaging activities. For example, staff and children plan a walk that incorporates all of their senses. They talk about seeing the buses first, then they will hear the cockerel.

Staff give careful thought and consideration to each child's unique needs, abilities and learning styles. They know which children learn best outside and those that learn through movement activities. For instance, staff talk to babies as they use an indoor slide. They tell babies that they are going 'up, up, up' the steps and 'down, down, down' the slide as they perform the actions. As a result, children hear meaningful words to develop their early language skills.

The wonderfully broad and ambitious curriculum ensures that all children make excellent progress. They have free choice over where they want to play, using the nursery space with confidence. This demonstrates that children's views are valued and supports the skills they need to become competent learners in readiness for later life.

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

• Inspirational leaders are extremely knowledgeable and passionate. They have created a curriculum that is rich in language and supports children to understand the world beyond the nursery. New vocabulary and meaningful discussions are seen as essential. Staff explain to children that a broken castle is called a 'ruin' and break down difficult words to help children to learn the pronunciation. Children learn about Remembrance Day by making a wreath to take to the church. Regular visits to local amenities help children to have a sense of pride in their community.
• Skilled staff provide children with opportunities to build their knowledge and skills over time. For example, children have created their own individual registers. Some children are at the early mark-making stage, with names represented by continuous lines. As names are called out, children check their lists and tick them off. This helps children to understand that writing carries meaning.
• Families are genuinely at the heart of this inclusive setting. The nursery offers home visits to parents. Parents state that these, alongside settling-in sessions, are particularly beneficial to help children to settle quickly. They feel their minds are put at ease knowing their children are being left with someone they have got to know and trust.
• Mealtimes are wonderful. Children sit in small groups with engaging staff at each table. Service runs incredibly smoothly with children self-serving and passing the dishes around the table to their friends. Babies are encouraged to feed themselves with a spoon, while toddlers use a spoon and fork. Pre-school children confidently demonstrate their ability to use a knife and fork. Children show high levels of concentration as they carefully use the water dispenser to put water into open top cups. These skills build children's confidence as they become capable and confident individuals.
• Children are exceedingly polite and well mannered. They automatically use please and thank you as they share and take turns. Staff are very skilled at using distraction strategies to redirect children from unwanted behaviour. For example, when children are banging on a mirror, staff ask them if they want to bang on a drum. Children listen and respond by going to the drums. This ensures that the environment remains calm and purposeful.
• The management team show the greatest regard for all staff, ensuring they feel truly valued. The leadership team are highly regarded by staff. Staff consistently comment that their well-being is a priority for leaders. They ensure staff have a good work-life balance. Training is precisely targeted and relevant to their needs. For example, all staff have undertaken 'safer sleep' training. This helps them to safeguard children while they sleep. The whole workforce operates exceptionally well as a team.