Seahorse Nursery (Princes Way)

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They show a great deal of kindness and respect towards their friends and staff. Children understand the rules of the setting and know what is expected of them. For example, staff talk to babies about using their 'kind hands' when playing. Toddlers and older children take part in mindfulness activities to help them understand and manage their feelings and emotions. Children talk about what makes them happy, sad or angry. This excellent behaviour has created a warm and caring environment where children of all ages feel safe and secure.

Throughout the setting, the exceptionally skilled and talented staff support children's learning to ensure every child fulfils their potential. When staff notice children progressing in their learning, they seamlessly plan an activity to extend this learning even further. The setting has established exceptionally strong partnerships with other agencies and professionals. This has helped them to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities superbly. For example, staff regularly liaise with professionals to seek advice and have attended external appointments with parents where necessary, to review children's progress and set them challenging targets.

Children flourish in the exceptionally well-resourced environment. The spacious outside and woodland areas support children's physical and emotional well-being and provide a wealth of stimulating and exciting learning opportunities. For example, younger children use sticks to make marks in the mud. They then use these sticks to dig and mix the mud, noticing the change in texture as they add water.

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

• Children make excellent progress with their communication skills. Staff use signing to support children's early communication and narrate their play using rich language. Staff regularly introduce new words to children's extensive range of vocabulary. Children learn rhyme and patterns to language as they join in singing activities. Older children recall what they know and think of new ideas as staff use open-ended questions.
• Children demonstrate high levels of concentration when exploring new ideas, using a range of resources. For example, during a science activity, they used different marker pens on filter paper. By adding water, children learn how colours spread and separate into the different colours that produce that colour. They confidently talk about the changes and share their ideas. Children show great excitement and pride in their achievements.
• Staff form close relationships with children that help children feel exceptionally safe and secure. Staff spend a great deal of time learning about their key children and their families. For example, home visits are arranged before children start at the setting. These visits allow staff to establish a bond with the children and find out what they enjoy and what makes them special.
• Parents speak extremely positively of the setting and recommend it to their friends. They speak of the outstanding progress their children have made since starting. Parents are involved in the continual improvements for the setting and share their views via a parent representative. Parents speak of the support and advice staff have given them, for example around sleep routines.
• The highly skilled management team shares a clear vision for the intent of the curriculum with all staff. Over time, managers have developed a unique and highly effective educational programme. All children are given time for focused small-group activities to foster numeracy and literacy skills. This is fully embedded across the setting and ensures that children are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage in learning.
• The staff are highly skilled at supporting children to build an understanding of families, communities and diversity. The setting has excellent links with the neighbouring school and uses these to broaden children's understanding of disability. Children take part in charity events, including the sponsorship of a child in Ethiopia. They gain an understanding of how their contribution will support children less fortunate than themselves.
• The management team places great emphasis on continually developing the talented workforce. Staff receive tailored training to ensure they enhance their knowledge and skills. All staff are given the opportunity to lead the setting for the day. This supports staff to feel empowered and to build their confidence in their abilities. All staff speak highly of the management team. They feel supported and valued, and that managers really care for their well-being.