Puddleducks Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children have very strong attachments to the staff who look after them. When babies are tired or upset, staff instantly recognise their needs. They hold them close and gently comfort them. Children are active explorers, they investigate and discover for themselves how things work. Children develop their small-muscle skills as they skilfully use a funnel, for example, to fill up empty water bottles. They quickly realise that once full, they can squirt the water out again. There is great fun and much laughter to be had when the water splashes the staff. Children become absorbed in their learning and play. Babies begin to develop their independence from an early age. Staff support and encourage them to use cutlery effectively to eat their lunch.

Children demonstrate excellent behaviour. They are learning to explore and express their emotions. When children have very minor disagreements, staff explain, 'your friend does not like it'. They ask children to consider what they could do differently. Staff are consistent in the way they manage behaviour, which contributes to the children understanding what is expected of them. Children show superb respect for others. Babies show newfound confidence as they dance in front of the whole group of children during a music session. Not only do staff offer praise, all children join in with a 'well done' and clap their hands.

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

• The provider, manager and staff are highly passionate and dedicated to meeting the needs of every individual child. Staff comment that the management go above and beyond to ensure their well-being is exceptionally well supported. The manager and deputy take a very personalised approach in supporting their team. Staff say that they are warm, compassionate, and understanding.
• Staff tailor the curriculum to meet the needs of every child. They know exactly where children are in their learning and they understand what children need to learn next to help them progress. Staff appreciate how well children learn from first-hand experiences. For example, staff introduce children to giant African land snails. They teach them that if they spray the snails with water they will appear from their shells. Staff help the children understand that they need to handle the snails carefully so as not to hurt or scare them. Children are filled with awe and wonder as they learn about nature and living things.
• Staff provide targeted support for children's communication and language development. They implement small group activities for children who have gaps in this area of their development. Children are making excellent progress. For example, children who speak English as an additional language, swiftly begin to use complex words, such as 'crocodile'.
• Staff know that spending lots of time outdoors improves children's physical health and well-being. Children thoroughly enjoy spending their entire day in the fresh air. They eat their meals outdoors and become immersed in the inspiring activities. Children of all ages show exceptionally high levels of curiosity and spend long periods of time at their chosen activities. Pre-school children have fun as they make potions. They learn about capacity as they fill and empty pots. Toddlers discover living creatures, plants and herbs as they play in the garden. Babies thoroughly enjoy splashing in water.
• Babies and toddlers sleep peacefully outdoors under a wooden gazebo, where they are protected from the elements. Staff wrap them up warmly and supervise them closely.
• Each week the children have a session with the Music Man, who brings new and unusual instruments into the setting for children to see and play with. Children sing songs and follow actions to songs. This session is full of laughter and fun and helps to broaden children's experiences beyond those provided by the nursery staff.
• Parents speak very highly about the nursery. Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities comment how the owner and staff have gone above and beyond in supporting the whole family. Reception teachers comment they can tell the children who come from this nursery, as they are exceptionally well prepared to start school.