Rosedene Saltburn

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children excel in the exceptionally well-resourced and stimulating environment. All staff are outstandingly passionate about their roles. This shows in the extremely high levels of confidence demonstrated by all children and their very evident bonds with staff. As children wait to enter the nursery, they jump up and down with anticipation. They are so eager to meet their friends and for their learning to begin.

A significant feature of the nursery is children being immersed in an environment rich in language. Staff empower children to develop the self-assurance and confidence required to become skilful communicators. They inspire children to develop a wide-ranging vocabulary. For example, children use magnifying glasses to search for caterpillars. Staff talk about the caterpillars being difficult to see as they are 'camouflaged'. They explain to children this means 'the caterpillars are the same colour as the leaves they are lying on'. Staff give children words and their meaning together, to increase their understanding of words and superbly extend their vocabulary.

Children's behaviour is exemplary. Older children consistently treat all children and adults with kindness and respect. They are mindful of the needs and feelings of others. Children value one another's contributions during their play. Staff are exceptionally thoughtful in helping younger children to develop resilience and independence. As children play together, staff encourage the youngest children to select their own resources. Staff are especially effective in teaching children how to regulate their own behaviour and emotions and prevent challenging situations from occurring.

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

• Enabling all children to develop to the very best of their abilities is at the very heart of everything staff do. Children across all ages become deeply engrossed in a vast range of exceptional activities and experiences. Children develop an enthusiasm for learning and an abundance of skills and knowledge. For example, older children talk with confidence and in very precise detail about the caterpillars they find in the garden and the life cycle of the butterfly. Babies show a determination to succeed as they work out for themselves to set their hands in place before moving their legs to climb up steps.
• Children demonstrate very high levels of energy and enthusiasm as they enjoy the extensive opportunities for outdoor learning. Staff use very skilled questioning techniques to encourage children to carefully plan what they want to do. Children then work together to support each other's ideas. For example, to make rivers of water running down an incline, children ensure that there are sufficient water and bottles for everyone to take part. Children work harmoniously together to carry more water as it is needed. Ultimately, this enables children to develop their thinking skills to an impressive level.
• Staff instinctively weave mathematics through all routines and activities. Staff make eye contact with babies as they count 'one pat, two pats, three pats' as they dry babies' hands. Older children learn different mathematical concepts, such as fractions. As children cut fruit into two pieces, staff teach them that they are cutting the fruit in half. When children put the two pieces together, they learn they are making the fruit a whole shape again.
• Staff instinctively foster children's love of reading. Staff always read the books children bring to them. Children have access to a wide variety of books, which are placed at individual activities throughout the nursery. This teaches children that books can be read for pleasure and for information. Staff use specific funding given for individual children to carefully choose books that represent their distinct needs. This reduces children's anxieties and helps them to fully participate in their learning. As a result, children feel valued and are confident to celebrate their individuality.
• Staff have high aspirations for all children to reach their full potential. They quickly identify any possible delays in children's development. Staff work tirelessly to secure specific and targeted interventions. Staff provide intensive support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their families. They work extremely closely with all agencies involved to ensure that children receive consistent and individualised support.
• Partnerships with parents and carers are exemplary. Staff inspire parents to support their children's learning in the home environment. For example, they use a lending library to encourage parents to read with their children. Parents receive up-to-date information to teach them how to keep themselves and their children safe online. Parents compliment the staff on being kind, attentive and genuinely caring about each and every child.
• Leaders and managers are inspirational. They work tirelessly to meet the needs of the children who attend and their families. The whole staff team shares the continuous drive for improvement. Staff have numerous opportunities for professional development and undertake regular training. This means that children can achieve their full potential as they consistently receive the highest quality of care and education.