River View Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are at the heart of everything in this remarkable nursery. Children become deeply engaged in their learning environment. They separate from parents well as they arrive and very quickly become focused in their play. They show motivation to explore every corner of the exciting and interesting environment. Babies make excellent progress in their physical development. They build strength in their legs as they pull themselves up to explore trays of sand. They enjoy the sensory experience of the sand in their hands. Children's natural curiosity is nurtured as they explore blocks of ice with animal toys in them. They eagerly fill jugs of water and pour them over the ice. They watch in wonder as the ice melts and the animals appear.

Children show exceptional resilience and positive attitudes to their learning. They listen intently to adults and respond to instruction. They have close relationships with staff, who know the children very well. Children are extremely well behaved. They play harmoniously together and show exemplary manners and kindness towards their peers. Children take turns with equipment and say 'thank you' as they pass round trains. There is a deep-rooted culture of respect among adults and children, which values and celebrates the uniqueness of every child.

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

• The staff team show complete dedication to providing the highest quality care and an inspiring learning environment for children. The rich and meaningful curriculum is meticulously planned to build on children's knowledge with sequenced learning. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities are making exceptional progress from their starting points.
• Children are confident investigators. Staff are extremely effective at allowing children to follow their own interests in their play. They provide them with boundless opportunities to lead with their own ideas. For example, children explore a goat's skull, and they learn about decay and animals that are extinct. Staff provide tools and encourage children to pretend to be archaeologists, and they use brushes to discover dinosaurs hidden in sand.
• Children make exceptional progress in their personal development. They are confident and demonstrate self-control. The promotion of emotional literacy is hugely effective. Staff teach children to recognise their emotions and how to manage them using books and characters, such as 'The Colour Monster'. Children can articulate how they are feeling and learn how to do things to help them feel calm or happy.
• Staff play alongside children and actively encourage them to think critically and problem solve at every opportunity. Children explore different fruits. They learn to use knives safely as staff support them to cut grapefruits and limes in half.
• Staff use rich language such as 'twisting' and 'squeezing' as children explore the fruit and squeeze them to make juice. This helps children to make excellent progress in their language and speaking skills.
• Staff consistently encourage children to be independent. Children make clear progression in these skills as they move through the nursery. Babies learn to use spoons to feed themselves. Toddlers master pouring their own water from jugs and learn to put their coats on. Older children confidently serve their own lunches and scrape their plates. This fully supports children to manage their own personal needs when they are ready to move on to school.
• Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. Parents fully appreciate the outstanding individual care and attention their children receive to help them flourish and reach their potential. The nursery offers learning packs and a lending library to support children to continue their learning at home. Parents benefit from accessing an extensive range of courses to support their parenting and their understanding of their children's development.
• The management team is exceptionally strong. Their drive and commitment to ensure that children receive the best possible outcomes is shared throughout the staff team. Staff are fully supported in their roles. They receive focused supervision and extended training opportunities to ensure the quality of teaching remains at the highest level. Staff achievements are frequently recognised, which helps staff to feel highly valued and appreciated. Staff report high levels of self-esteem.