Queens Baby Nursery Children-First.Info

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children play happily in this outstanding nursery. Staff are incredibly sensitive to children's needs and promote their well-being throughout the day. Children settle well and quickly form strong bonds with staff as they become familiar with the attractive surroundings. Children thrive as staff give them the freedom to explore. They are inquisitive and eager to find out how things work. Small children develop their fine motor skills as they learn to turn taps on and off. They learn about volume and capacity as they fill and empty containers with water.

Children are confident walkers and talkers. Staff talk to children all the time, using repetition to help them remember and repeat. Staff allow children to take well-supervised risks as they navigate the small steps leading up to a fascinating activity. They support children who are learning to walk and help them to gain access to all the wonderful activities provided for their delight. Children use their small hands to squeeze juice from oranges, lemons and limes. This helps to strengthen their hands in preparation for future writing skills.

Children's behaviour is exceptionally good. They sit as if mesmerised as they listen to staff singing and counting in French. Their beaming smiles show they are fascinated by the puppets and other resources they share with each other. Children clap and wave and thoroughly enjoy the fun of playing peekaboo through coloured scarves. Children's concentration is amazing at such a young age. They are extremely curious and eager to learn.

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

• Children make exceptional progress in their learning. Any gaps in their learning close quickly as staff monitor their development thoroughly and provide individual support. Some children reach their milestones early and speak fluently at a very young age. Some young children develop an understanding of mathematical concepts. They talk about the colours of scarves and count them.
• Staff know that children's well-being and safety are paramount. They are extremely vigilant as they ensure that all children keep their hats on in the hot sun. They replenish their sun cream when children have been playing in water. Staff gently clean children's noses when needed and they are affectionate and kind. They teach children to recognise their pictures on their drinking cups and ensure they drink water regularly to keep themselves hydrated.
• Children know what to do when staff call them for a story. They dash to gather round and sit quietly on the grass. Children are engrossed as staff read the story of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' and talk about the life cycle of a butterfly. They look at the butterfly net in awe as staff remind them how their real caterpillars made their cocoons. Children are fascinated as staff help them to open the net and release the beautiful butterflies. They confidently count them as they fly away into the sky.
• Children thoroughly enjoy spending time outdoors. They plant seeds and water them. Children see the vegetables, fruit and herbs they have planted grow tall. Staff talk to children about the foods they need to eat for their good health. They allow children to pick the apples from a tree and cut them up for a snack. Staff tell the children how the seeds inside the apples can be planted to grow new trees.
• Children are physically active. The garden is large and there are lots of opportunities for movement. Children balance on stepping stones and transport water and other materials around the garden. Children who are not yet walking shuffle over to a construction site. They put on hard hats and begin to build up large bricks. Staff help children to put on high-visibility jackets and encourage them to count the bricks they have stacked.
• Children learn to be independent from a very young age. They explore their surroundings and make choices in their play. Children are familiar with the routines of the nursery. They are eager to tidy up their playthings when it is time for lunch and they know where to sit. They feed themselves well and are ready for sleeping after a full morning's play.
• Staff prepare children very well for moving from the nursery to the next stage in their development and learning. They manage transitions extremely well and ensure that children are emotionally ready for the move. Children visit their new nursery along with their friends and key staff they have bonded with, to help them feel safe. Children are gradually settled in over time to ensure they feel comfortable when the time comes to move on.
• Parents are extremely delighted with the nursery. They say that bringing their children here was the best decision they ever made. Parents praise the staff for their dedication and say they are kind and nurturing. They say that communication is exceptional and they are so happy to see their children's progress in words and pictures on the online app they can access at any time of the day.
• Leadership is exceptional. Leaders are extremely knowledgeable and care deeply about the children who attend this extraordinary nursery. They work incredibly hard and work extremely effectively and happily as a team. Leaders carry out staff supervisions regularly and monitor staff practice constantly. Staff observe each other's practice and make suggestions for improvements. They evaluate everything they do and undertake regular training to refine their skills. Staff recruitment is rigorous and this has a positive impact on the quality of the provision.