Royal Gate Kids Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff provide a safe and welcoming space for children. There is an effective key-person system in place, to nurture strong relationships right from the start. For instance, staff receive time to speak to parents and carers and play with children during settling-in sessions. This enables them to get to know children well and provide effective support for their individual care and learning. Staff carefully consider the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those children who speak English as an additional language. They use visual aids, such as objects and pictures, alongside verbal instructions, to help all children follow the nursery's routines. Throughout the nursery, children show that they feel happy and secure. They confidently interact with staff and make choices about their play.

Leaders and staff provide a broad and well-sequenced curriculum, which helps children to build on what they know and can do. For example, children become increasingly independent in managing their own personal care, such as feeding themselves and using the toilet. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. They model respectful attitudes, such as by asking babies if they can change their nappies and gently explaining the routine to them. Staff provide consistent reminders to help children to understand rules and boundaries, such as being kind and playing safely. Children are well prepared for their next stage of learning.

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

• Leaders have good oversight and a clear ambition for developing the provision further. For instance, they have identified that some children need more support to become effective communicators. Therefore, they deliver a targeted programme of training and support, to boost staff's teaching skills in this area.
• Staff provide very good support for children's communication and language development. They consistently comment on children's play and expand their vocabularies. For example, children and staff engage in cheerful conversations about the life cycle of butterflies, linked to their 'book of the month'. Staff skilfully encourage children to recall and use new words, such as 'cocoon'. Children confidently share their ideas and proudly talk about what they know and can do.
• The curriculum includes a strong emphasis on literacy. Staff use books effectively to introduce children to new words and ideas. They provide a lending library, to encourage parents to read with children at home. This successfully promotes children's love of books. Children enjoy looking at books independently and confidently explore stories further, such as by drawing pictures and making models from dough.
• Children with SEND and those receiving additional funding are well supported at the nursery. Leaders and staff work in partnership with parents and external professionals, to identify where children need extra help. They use finding effectively and provide lots of tailored support, to help close the gaps in children's learning and development. Children make good progress.
• Staff encourage children to develop healthy habits for later life. They provide nutritious meals and oversee good hygiene, such as washing their hands before eating. Staff ensure that children play outdoors daily and provide some opportunities for vigorous exercise, such as jumping activities and outings to a local park. However, they do not consistently identify when children would benefit from more physical activity, such as when children struggle to sit down at group times or want to run indoors. This can hinder children who need to use their large muscles and practise these essential skills.
• Staff present activities in fun and engaging ways, which draws children in and supports their positive attitudes to learning. Children focus well on their self-chosen activities. For example, they show confidence and enthusiasm as they draw the characters from their favourite books. Children are keen to learn new knowledge and techniques from staff, such as how to make prints using fruit and vegetables. They practise and refine their skills, showing pride in what they can do.
• Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents describe staff as patient, friendly and kind. They say the nursery is a happy space for their little ones to grow, learn and explore. Parents comment that they are well informed about their children's care and learning. They appreciate the effective partnership working, to promote children's health and development.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen the curriculum for physical development, to provide consistent opportunities for children to exercise and refine a broad range of large muscle movements.