Sahan Pre-School And Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are safe and happy at this warm and nurturing nursery. They respond positively and enthusiastically to staff. Children are engaged and show positive attitudes to their learning. For example, older children demonstrate their critical thinking as they predict what colour they will make when mixing yellow and blue water. They carefully measure ingredients to create their own dough and take great pride in doing this independently. Children develop extremely strong bonds with the caring staff. For instance, babies and toddlers look to staff for cuddles if they are tired or need reassurance.

Children behave well and are kind and friendly. For instance, younger children offer the inspector a farm animal to hold when she comes to sit on the carpet with them. Older children demonstrate their imaginations and caring nature in the role-play area. They carefully put their masks and gloves on and give the inspector an 'injection' to make her feel better. Children are extremely independent. They demonstrate their physical skills as they use peelers, graters and knives to prepare salad for lunchtime. Younger children put their tissues in the bin after they have washed their own hands.

Managers and staff want the best for all children. They get to know them well from the start and provide attentive care and focused learning opportunities. Staff know children and what they are working towards well. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children who speak English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points in learning. Staff understand children's individual needs well and use additional funding to enhance children's learning experiences.

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

• The newly appointed manager is passionate about creating an inclusive environment. She has strong plans in place to raise the quality of education to an even higher level. Staff feel well supported and speak enthusiastically about recent training and future training opportunities. For instance, they feel more confident in how they provide children with more choices in their play and decision-making.
• Children are physically active throughout the day. For instance, babies confidently roll large balls across the floor and try and catch the ball when it is thrown to them. Older children show immense joy and physical strength as they climb the rock-climbing wall. Toddlers squeeze and spread toothpaste on the large 'teeth' as they learn about oral health.
• Staff place a big emphasis on supporting children's communication. They engage in meaningful conversations. Children are strong communicators and confident to share their ideas and offer suggestions. For example, older children tell the inspector, 'I am an ambulance person. I need to write numbers,' when she joins them in the role-play area. They demonstrate a strong understanding of their previous learning, such as about people that help them.
• Parents value the nurturing and caring staff. They comment that their children have become more confident and sociable since starting the nursery. Parents have observed the impact of what their children have been learning. For example, parents say that their children have learned about traffic lights and know that that 'red' means 'stop'.
• Staff plan activities based on children's interests. Staff show genuine care and respect for children and want to provide high-quality care. Overall, their teaching is good. However, at times, some staff are less confident in managing children's transitions throughout the morning. For example, when children get ready to go outside, the volume increases and this impacts on how some children behave.
• Staff create care practices that are highly effective. Babies sleep in a calm and peaceful environment, with staff creating a warm and nurturing atmosphere throughout. Children show high levels of self esteem. They confidently move around the setting, leading their own play and learning. Children demonstrate their strong understanding of safety. For example, older children suggest that some oils might cause a fire. Children enjoy completing their own risk assessments of the rooms, checking for any potential hazards.
• The nursery is highly inclusive and welcomes staff and families from a diverse range of backgrounds. It shows an interest and respect for their differences and is keen to explore other languages and cultures. Children have countless opportunities to learn about their local community. For example, after reading the story 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', children visit their local supermarket to buy the same ingredients from the book.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• continue to support staff to develop their confidence and interactions with children, particularly when children are transitioning to new activities, such as outdoor play.