Radcliffe-on-Trent Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Passionate and highly motivated leaders and staff provide a broad and ambitious curriculum for all children. They ensure that every child makes exceptional progress. They plan learning experiences that ignite children's natural curiosity and challenge them to build on and extend their knowledge and skills. Children benefit from being cared for and guided by staff who have an in-depth understanding of each child's starting points and developmental needs. Staff tune in to what excites children and sparks their enthusiasm. This helps all children to engage in meaningful, relevant and exceptionally well-tailored activities. For example, babies are provided with a wide range of sensory experiences which encourage them to explore and interact with materials and their environment. They take immense delight in pushing their hands through sticky lotion and damp sand. Babies sustain concentration for extended periods when using scoops to fill containers. They beam with joy as they tip the contents out and start again, which builds on their strength and coordination skills. The high-quality engagement from staff ensures that each child's experience is unique and purposeful.

Older children display high levels of confidence and independence as staff are skilled in encouraging and supporting them to try things for themselves. When children find it hard to manipulate the serving tongs at lunchtime, staff spend time modelling and helping them to practise the required movements. This gives children the motivation to persevere when they encounter difficulties. Children reflect these positive qualities in their own interactions with one another. When they see a friend attempting a tricky task outside, they shout, 'Go on, you can do it.' The nurturing and harmonious environment created by leaders and staff throughout the nursery helps all children to thrive and reach their full potential.

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

• Leaders and managers have successfully embedded a clear and ambitious curriculum. This is shared effectively with the staff team. Together, they strive to provide a unique setting that values and encompasses the specific needs of families and children. This is achieved through ongoing communication with parents and a thorough knowledge of children's needs. The development of an interactive sensory room has significantly enhanced children's learning experiences, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. All children are supported to reach their full potential.
• The passion and enthusiasm staff exude during their interactions with children is exceptional. Without hesitation, they ask meaningful, open-ended questions that provoke children to think, consider and problem-solve. For example, when playing outside, children are dismayed when a beanbag becomes stuck on the roof. This swiftly leads to them considering how they might resolve the situation.
• Before long, children are helping staff to carry a stepladder and take turns to climb up. They discuss the importance of safety and what they need to do to stay safe. Children show a deep desire to work collaboratively and express delight when their efforts are successful.
• Children's language development is given the highest priority. Staff recognise and seize opportunities to engage children in lively conversation and build on their skills and vocabulary. Children show high levels of engagement as they communicate with one another and staff. When communicating in social situations, they use words creatively to express and explain their thinking. For example, at lunchtime, when discussing the serving cutlery, children comment, 'I can use these snappers to pick up my noodles.' Staff praise children consistently for their efforts and skilfully interject to expand on their ideas.
• Partnerships with parents and other professionals are exceptionally strong. Parents comment on the 'excellent provision' and feel reassured by the 'personal touch' that staff provide. Parents value the support and advice they receive from staff on how they can further develop their child's learning at home. Parents say that staff recognise their child's strengths and provide activities that specifically challenge their abilities. Parents express their deep appreciation for the progress their children make at the nursery.
• Staff are excellent role models and fully understand the importance of fostering children's personal development. They are always observant and alert to children's changing emotions, offering advice and a guiding hand when needed. For example, when young children become overwhelmed during outdoor activities, staff swiftly offer alternatives that instantly engage and attract their attention. Children's feelings of security and attachment are instantly restored as they settle down to share a favourite story with their key person.
• Staff encourage children to be highly inquisitive and curious. Children demonstrate this as they turn over logs to observe which creatures might be living underneath. In-depth conversations about animal habitats and caring for living things help children to develop a deep appreciation of the awe and wonder of the world around them.