Seesaws Day Nursery and Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children and parents are welcomed daily at the entrance of the nursery by warm, enthusiastic staff. Children enter a stimulating environment and are excited and eager to discover what awaits them. They rush to find their friends and chatter with excitement about what they might do during their day. Older children share their stories of learning about London and making marmalade sandwiches, just like Paddington Bear. Staff provide opportunities for children to use their imagination and immerse themselves in events to embed a greater understanding. For example, they experience what it is like for whales to swim through a polluted ocean by pretending to swim across a floor that is covered in scrunched up balls of paper. Children make exceptional progress in their learning.

Children enjoy a wealth of opportunities to learn about their local community. They take part in collections for nearby baby banks, and charities close to the hearts of the staff and families within the nursery. They are involved in events such as Remembrance Day, where they visit the war memorial and lay a wreath of poppies. Children have a deep understanding of the importance of helping others and the impact their actions can have on other people's lives.

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

• Children are extremely confident and enthusiastic to share their experiences, thoughts, and opinions with each other. They demonstrate an excellent understanding of boundaries and are respectful when interacting with others. Children's behaviour is exemplary.
• Children demonstrate a love of books and stories. Staff provide reading areas throughout the nursery, and stories are supported with props and singing to extend children's understanding of the spoken word.
• Children access a wide range of teaching and learning opportunities. For example, older children excel in physical development as they take part in sports sessions, such as rugby, football, and dance. Sports coaches are carefully selected to ensure the individual needs of the children can be met.
• Children make regular visits to the local care home and listen to wonderful stories told by the residents, while sharing a slice of cake. This intergenerational activity helps the children to develop confidence and a growing understanding of the world around them.
• Parent workshops take place every two weeks. They provide information and guidance on key milestones and help parents to gain knowledge on how they can support their children's development. Coffee mornings are also provided weekly with the nursery special educational needs coordinator, to provide strategies on meeting children's individual needs. Parents comment on the incredible support they receive from the staff and express how this positively impacts on their children's development.
• Staff are excellent role models and give children the opportunity to also be role models to others. Children are chosen to hold important responsibilities in areas, such as healthy eating, friendship and being inclusive.
• Leaders and managers have high expectations of children's learning and development. They ensure that an ambitious curriculum is planned and provided to meet the needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• Leaders and managers are highly reflective of practice and ensure that development plans are in place that strive for excellence. Staff are supported in accessing training to learn new skills that will enhance the delivery of learning experiences for the children in their care. They use funding to develop an inspiring sensory room through purchasing a range of resources to inspire curiosity and support children to regulate their emotions. This is a wonderful addition to the setting and provides a calming and relaxing space for all.
• Leaders and managers have high regard for the well-being needs of staff, parents and children. For example, 'Feel Good' sessions are provided within a family room that is a safe, comfortable space for all to share their thoughts and access valuable support. The nursery has a 'Wall of happiness', where photographs of important people in the children's lives, or significant events are displayed. Children's lives are valued and celebrated.