Rooks Heath Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this friendly and welcoming nursery. They are treated with kindness and respect by the staff, who listen to them and value what they have to say. Children show they feel safe and secure as they confidently leave their parents at the door. They happily participate in activities and demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning. For example, children focus intently as they squeeze out different-coloured paints. They follow instructions to carefully fold and unfold their paper. They are filled with wonder to discover that the colours have combined to create a beautiful butterfly print.

Leaders and staff have high expectations for all children. They teach them to be independent and confident about what they can do. Children learn good hygiene routines and begin to manage their own personal care. For instance, staff organise regular visits from a dentist to help children understand how to look after their teeth. Children enjoy their time together and develop good friendships. They are helpful and willingly assist with tasks, such as tidying away the toys. Children go on regular outings within their local area, such as to the local library and market. This helps children to learn about their community and to develop a sense of belonging.

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

• Leaders and staff know the children well and have clear intentions for what they want them to learn. Staff use information from their observations to plan stimulating experiences that interest and engage children. They work in partnership with parents and outside professionals to ensure that all children receive the support they need. As a result, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who receive funding, make good progress from their starting points.
• Staff use effective strategies to promote children's language and communication skills. For example, they read, sing and chat to children throughout the day. Staff incorporate other ways to communicate, such as using pictures, signs and gestures. This helps children with SEND and those who speak English as an additional language to learn the routines and express their choices. Children become confident and effective communicators.
• Children and staff speak a range of languages in addition to English. Staff ensure that children have opportunities to hear and speak their home languages in the setting, such as through songs and greetings. This helps children to understand and respect their differences.
• Staff generally make good use of activities and daily routines to engage children and extend their skills. However, occasionally, they do not give enough consideration to children's individual needs and capabilities. For example, at times, the discussions at circle time are too complicated and lengthy for some children to understand and stay focused. Therefore, they become bored and their learning and enjoyment is reduced.
• Children are confident to make their own choices and show high levels of engagement in the activities that they choose. For example, they are keen to join in with a 'bug hunt' in the garden. They diligently search using magnifying glasses and are excited to discover a tiny snail. Children observe the creature carefully and listen when staff remind them to be gentle.
• Staff help children to learn about living a healthy lifestyle. For example, they use a book about a hungry caterpillar to encourage children to sample fruit and vegetables. Staff ensure that children are physically active throughout the day. This includes a 'busy feet' movement session to energise children each morning, as well as daily exercise in the nursery garden.
• Staff speak highly of the support they receive from leaders. They say that they are a strong team and morale is high. Leaders monitor and support staff well. They provide them with regular training and feedback about their practice. This helps to maintain the good quality of the provision.
• There are effective partnerships with parents to support children's care and learning needs. Parents describe 'kind and friendly staff', who always welcome children with a smile. They say that their children are well settled and enjoy attending.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• help staff to review and improve the organisation of group activities, to ensure that they consistently support all children's learning and enjoyment.