Rose Villa Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children feel valued and cared for in this welcoming and happy environment. Most children separate easily from parents. They appreciate the friendly 'good mornings' and warm smiles given by staff. For those children who are less confident, staff offer hugs and soothing words. This helps children to feel safe and secure, and they settle quickly into their day.

Children are busy and full of excitement at the freedom they have to explore their surroundings. Babies confidently crawl around and investigate the variety of resources on offer. They show inquisitiveness as they watch other, more mobile babies crawl and push boxes at the same time. This encourages younger babies to experiment with their developing physical skills. The look of delight on babies' faces as they recognise they too can make boxes move as they crawl is a joy to see.

Children relish the opportunities the outdoor environment offers. Toddlers giggle with joy as they roll balls down a slide and chase them as they scatter around the garden. Older children experiment with different movements as they manoeuvre themselves around an obstacle course. Children hold their arms out to balance as they negotiate inclines. They climb in and out of tyres and navigate different levels. Staff say, 'You can do it,' as they encourage children to try this for themselves and develop confidence in their own abilities.

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

• Children show good problem-solving skills, perseverance and a can-do attitude to their learning. For example, younger children want to climb onto bikes. They work out how to hold the handlebars before they move their legs. Older children concentrate intently as they use small spoons to fill the teapot with water through the spout. Their faces beam with pleasure at their achievements and the praise they receive from staff for their efforts.
• Staff are proud to be a part of this nursery. They work as a team and aspire for every child to develop a love of learning and achieve to the best of their abilities. Staff use their detailed knowledge of every child to plan next steps in children's learning. This means that children make good progress that prepares them well for their next stage of development.
• Staff know how to support children's developing communication and language skills. Staff give babies eye contact and time to respond as they enthusiastically practise their babbling. Staff introduce new words into children's vocabulary as they support their interests in the natural world. For example, as children look for insects in the garden, staff talk about insects 'hibernating' or 'going to sleep for the winter'.
• Children of all ages behave very well. Staff teach children the importance of being respectful to each other. Older children welcome other children to join their ongoing play, and they are happy to share resources. This helps to develop children's self-esteem as they understand they are valued and their contributions to play are essential.
• Supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is a key feature of the nursery. The management team and staff work in close partnership with parents and a wide range of other professionals to ensure that children and their families get the support they need.
• Parents are complimentary of the service the nursery provides. They are very pleased with the daily communication between staff and themselves. Parents are delighted with the progress their children are making in their learning and development.
• Staff teach children good hygiene practices. For example, they talk to toddlers about washing their hands. Older children show high levels of independence with their self-care skills. They know to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.
• Children have many opportunities to develop an understanding of the wider world. For example, staff regularly walk children to the local shops and visit the library. Children are encouraged to choose their own books to read in the nursery. This helps to foster children's literacy skills and a love of books.
• Occasionally, the noise level in some parts of the indoor environment impacts on older children's ability to concentrate and become totally absorbed and engaged in their learning.
• At times, staff do not consider how daily routines, such as encouraging children to tidy resources away, can be used to extend and consolidate children's learning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• consider levels of noise to help older children to concentrate and fully engage in their learning
• review the organisation of some daily routines to ensure that they are consistently used to extend and develop children's learning even further.