Pye Nest Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children's happiness and well-being are at the heart of this inspiring nursery. Staff know children very well and consistently respond to their different needs. They value and nurture children's individuality and children thrive in their care. Children form extremely strong bonds with their key person and other staff.

Children's behaviour is exceptional. They show much consideration for each other, taking turns and sharing resources. Staff organise regular yoga sessions with the older children to enhance their physical and emotional development. Children participate with much enthusiasm, eager to show the yoga poses they have mastered. Staff teach children how breathing exercises can help them to be calm and promote their well-being.

Nursery leaders plan an aspirational curriculum that is delivered by the skilful and well-qualified staff team. The quality of teaching is outstanding. The rooms and outdoor spaces are carefully planned by staff to motivate children and nurture their natural curiosity. Children are confident learners, who face challenges with a 'can-do' attitude. When children move to a new room, staff ensure that these transitions are seamless. They plan the move around the child's needs and fully involve parents in the process.

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

• Children make exceptional progress over time, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff skilfully assess children's achievements. They work in close partnership with parents and other professionals to implement successful strategies that support children who need additional help.
• Children's communication development is exceptional across the nursery. Staff are highly effective at responding to cues from the youngest children. Staff introduce new vocabulary to older children, for example they teach them that milk contains 'minerals' and 'vitamins'. Children learn to use these words with confidence and understanding. They relish the times when staff read stories and sing rhymes to them.
• Nursery leaders are trained in the forest school approach. They create wonderful spaces in the nursery and nearby woods for children to learn about nature at first hand. Staff teach children how recycling materials helps to conserve natural resources and protect wildlife.
• Staff are exemplary role models who demonstrate much respect for children. They sensitively manage care routines, such as nappy changes, and are consistently calm and gentle in their approach. Staff make these times special, to fully support the physical and emotional well-being of babies and young children.
• Staff maximise every opportunity to enhance children's personal development. They carefully plan resources that help children become increasingly independent. For example, younger children confidently learn to use cutlery at mealtimes. Staff offer precisely the right level of support when children need some help to achieve a desired goal.
• Staff celebrate children's achievements in many ways. For example, when children are moving on to school, they organise a celebratory event in a local art gallery. Children display their art work with much pride. Staff document what children have told them about their nursery experiences and their future aspirations. Children feel valued which strongly supports their self-esteem and confidence.
• Children enjoy a range of delicious and well-balanced meals prepared by the nursery. Staff teach children about the foods that promote their good health and make them strong. They remind children about the importance of drinking water to stay hydrated.
• Parents highly value the nursery as part of their local community. They praise the dedicated and knowledgeable staff team. Parents comment on the excellent levels of communication between home and the nursery. They say that staff offer amazing support and guidance in supporting children's developmental milestones at home.
• Nursery leaders ensure that staff have excellent opportunities for their professional development. They plan regular training events that focus on providing the highest standards of care and education. Staff report that they are very happy in their roles and nursery leaders take a sensitive and proactive approach to supporting their well-being.