Rosebuds Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children enjoy their time at this warm and welcoming nursery. As they arrive, they are greeted by staff who know them well. Children who may feel a little unsure are comforted with gentle reassurance and cuddles. Effective transition visits ensure that children settle quickly when starting at the nursery. Staff are caring and respond to children's needs and interests with enthusiasm, supporting their well-being effectively. Children form close bonds with staff, which helps them to feel safe and secure. They are confident to explore the environment, engage in play and seek help when needed. As a result, children develop independence, resilience and a positive attitude towards learning.

Staff provide a broad range of experiences that spark children's curiosity. They have a clear learning intent for the activities they provide and carefully plan experiences that build on each child's existing knowledge and skills. Older children become engrossed as they explore different-sized shells. Staff encourage them to think about where the shells may have come from and link these discussions to children's own experiences. Toddlers develop their core muscles as they explore climbing equipment. Staff offer guidance and support, allowing children time to manage risks effectively. Children smile and clap as staff praise their achievements. This raises their self-esteem and builds their confidence to try new challenges with increasing independence.

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

• Managers have a clear vision for providing high-quality care and education for all children. Recent changes to the nursery layout mean babies now benefit from a designated sleep room, promoting calmer, more restful sleep. Managers and staff continually reflect on children's learning outdoors. They have plans to create a woodland space to enhance children's understanding of nature and further enrich their learning experiences.
• Overall, children become confident communicators. Staff help older children learn new words during everyday conversations. When reading books about dinosaurs, staff use words like 'gigantic' to describe their size. Inspired by a walk in the woodlands, staff provide children with resources to recreate their own ladybirds. They encourage children to think about the different parts of the insect and introduce them to words such as 'antenna'. Babies watch in awe and copy actions during songs. Staff use singing and facial expressions to hold their attention. However, some staff do not always talk to babies about what they are doing as they play. As a result, babies have fewer opportunities to hear and learn new words.
• The nursery has staff who prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals and snacks. Dietary needs and allergies are managed through clear signage, plans and staff awareness. Colour-coded mats and regular checks help prevent cross-contamination. This helps to create a safe, inclusive environment for all children.
• Staff listen to and value children's voices. They encourage children to share their preferences and opinions in meaningful ways. For example, during story time, children vote for their favourite book. This helps them understand the idea of democracy while choosing the stories they want to hear.
• Generally, children are supported to develop healthy lifestyle habits. They understand the importance of washing their hands before eating, and staff encourage them to discuss healthy food choices as they enjoy freshly cooked meals together. However, on occasion, some staff do not consistently follow hygiene routines after supporting self-care tasks, such as wiping noses. As a result, children are not always fully supported to develop a clear understanding of healthy practices.
• Children are offered a variety of experiences during their time at the nursery. They enjoy taking part in football sessions and cooking with qualified staff. Children benefit from parents visiting to talk about their professions, such as paramedics and carpenters. Opportunities such as these enable children to learn about their community and broaden their life experiences.
• Leaders show a positive approach to staff's well-being and professional development, with open-door policies and mental health support. They have introduced positive changes, such as new monitoring systems, which are beginning to further improve practice. Staff speak positively about their roles and feel supported.
• Parents speak highly about the care their children receive. Staff share vital information through daily handovers and through an online app. Parents appreciate that staff respond to their children's individual needs and share ways to support learning at home. These relationships support consistency in children's learning and development.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• enhance support given to staff working with babies so that their interactions consistently support the emerging communication and language needs of the youngest children
• embed hygiene routines so that they consistently promote children's understanding of good hygiene practices.