Sandfield Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in a warm and nurturing environment and their behaviour is excellent. They build excellent bonds with staff, who are kind, caring and have high expectations for them. Children are flourishing across all areas of learning. Children's experiences are rich in investigative play. Leaders share their golden values which thread through everything and children were seen to be attentive and listen to each other. Children demonstrate an excellent knowledge of the daily routine. For instance, children participate in beautifully calm rolling lunchtime sessions where they confidently self-serve their food and make freedom of choice.

Children engage in exciting play opportunities and are extremely curious. For example, they identify birds outside and know that the squirrels try to steal the birds' food. They seek solutions to help prevent this from happening, supported by knowledgeable and well-trained staff. Children really love playing real instruments and explore using guitars, violins and keyboards. They show perseverance as they listen to the keyboards pre-recorded tunes and try to replicate these themselves. Children develop excellent self-esteem and confidence; they confidently place vinyl discs on the record player to play. Children participate in numerous new and exciting opportunities that successfully build on their experiences at home. For example, children tell of their experiences in the snow. Staff recognise this as an important learning opportunity and get outside and explore in it as well. This approach helps children make rapid progress in their learning and development.

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

• The staff team set a very ambitious curriculum that meets and extends children's needs. Staff offer children excellent real-life experiences, and this helps ignite their curiosity and extend their thinking. Leaders share their aim to provide children with opportunities to experience awe and wonder everyday.
• The manager is highly respected by staff and parents alike. Parents and staff comment that she is approachable, supportive and leads with conviction. This leadership has a significant impact on how well staff gain excellent outcomes for children. For example, the manager recognises the importance of well-being for parents and the staff team since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Initiatives, such as 'give back' days, treats, staff lunches and award ceremonies are supportive and nurturing.
• Staff take the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic into account when considering what they want children to learn. They give top priority to personal, social and emotional development for the younger age groups, providing a superbly well thought-out sensory space and beautiful outdoor play areas to support this. Staff are exceptionally attentive to children's individual needs.
• Staff use books to develop all aspects of learning throughout the setting. Support for children's communication and language is extremely strong, such as through the fabulous conversations staff initiate. Staff's depth of knowledge to extend learning and language is exceptional. Children are eager to learn and be involved.
• Staff are resourceful and plan stimulating activities that ignite children's love of number. Children sequence number cards and objects, using excellent problem-solving skills to differentiate between a six and a nine. Staff give them time to work things out for themselves. Children are overjoyed when they achieve what they set out to do.
• Staff state they feel incredibly well supported. Leaders ensure that ample staff are on duty to enable them the time to plan, reflect and attend training. Leaders give their full support to staff's individual professional development. Staff target training that is relevant to them and which has a purposeful impact on children's experiences. Impressive training and engagement within the staff team develops their deep-rooted understanding of childhood development; children flourish as a consequence.
• Children can freely move between the inside and outside environments. They are confident with the daily routine and easily find their coats to go outside. Staff fully incorporate children's interests into the session. For example, they enable children to feed the birds and support their re-wilding a patch of garden for nature.
• Children gain an excellent awareness of good oral health and healthy eating habits. Staff reinforce this during their conversations at mealtimes around healthy choices. Children talk about water helping their body to feel full and stay hydrated.