Puss in Boots Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children flourish in this stimulating setting that centres around their individual needs and interests. They demonstrate that they feel extremely safe and settled. They separate easily from parents and carers. Children are warmly welcomed by staff and quickly become engrossed in the activities of the day. Staff have high aspirations for all children. They have an exceptional understanding of children's needs, based on first-hand observations and excellent relationships with parents. Staff consistently encourage the children to have a go, persevering and building resilience to setbacks. Children are eager, confident learners.

Children display excellent behaviour. Very patient and caring staff talk to them about how they are feeling and why. As a result, children understand their emotions and play together harmoniously. Children engage highly in play. They choose what to do and move with confidence around the setting, developing their imagination and working together successfully. They use available resources to build an aeroplane to 'fly up in the sky', carefully thinking the design to make sure it 'will land safely'.

Physical development is exceptionally well supported. Children laugh with delight as they skilfully access the vast range of climbing equipment on offer. They learn to assess risks and their own capabilities. For example, they decide if they need, or not, a mat under the swinging ropes.

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

• Staff provide consistently high-quality interactions with children. During activities, staff continually talk to children, adding in new words, such as 'gooey' and 'squidgy', and asking questions. Children demonstrate their increasing vocabulary and use more complex words, such as 'trickle', when dripping cornflower mixture on a 'rockhopper penguin'.
• Children benefit from unlimited access to fresh air and exercise. They enjoy the free flow to the outdoor area. In addition, they have wonderful opportunities to learn about the natural world during forest school sessions at the local park.
• Staff expertly engage children in conversation and discussion about healthy lifestyles. For example, children know that potatoes contain carbohydrates, which give you 'energy'. They explain that vegetables contain vitamins and help them to 'grow strong' and to have healthy teeth.
• Mathematical concepts are skilfully threaded into the routine and activities. Children spontaneously use mathematical language in their play, such as when they utilise measuring tapes to work out how far they jumped and who jumped furthest.
• Staff effectively promote a love of reading by displaying stories and reference books in all areas. Children know traditional tales well. They enjoy acting out 'heaving' the enormous turnip. Staff expertly engage younger children, using props and pausing to allow them to join in with familiar phrases. Audio stories have been introduced to promote children's attention and listening skills further.
• Partnerships with parents are superb. The manager and staff involve the parents in all they do. They hold workshops where parents can meet the staff team and learn how to support children's development at home. Parents express their love of the nursery and speak highly of the 'amazing' staff team and inviting environment. They praise staff for their invaluable support, not just for their children but their whole family, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The manager rigorously monitors the impact of the curriculum, staff practice and children's progress. She makes highly effective use of self-evaluation and consultation with staff, parents and children to identify areas for development. Her drive for improvement is uncompromising. The ethos and vision for the setting are ambitious and focus on children's positive outcomes. These are shared by the passionate and enthusiastic staff.
• Staff report a high level of well-being. They say that they feel valued and appreciated. Staff praise the way in which the management team promotes their personal and professional development. This results in extremely low staff turnover and a highly collaborative working environment.
• The extremely passionate manager and her staff continuously evaluate children's learning, quickly identifying any gaps. All activities and teaching are expertly adapted to make sure every child can take part. This ensures all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make the best possible progress.