Selwyn Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are cheery and have fun in this happy setting. Staff are smiley and friendly in their interactions. For example, they greet children each morning with an enthusiastic welcome. Children eagerly wave goodbye to their parents, anticipating with excitement the day ahead. Children enjoy varied and nutritious homemade meals. They have fabulous appetites and show a positive attitude to healthy eating. Mealtimes are well organised and children are provided with plenty of time to finish their food. They enjoy this social time of the day and after eating are fully satisfied and ready to learn. Staff take time to find out how children are feeling at the beginning of each day. They often talk about emotions and children are acutely aware of how they feel and the impact and consequences of their actions and behaviours. Children are emotionally mature, kind and considerate. They look after their belongings well. They return toys back to shelves and baskets after playing with them. Staff encourage children to 'tidy as they go'. Children are helpful and behave well. They learn how to take care of their environment and are responsible.

Books and literacy are heavily incorporated into the programme of learning, for children of all ages. Children enjoy listening to stories. They become engrossed in the rhythmical tones used by staff and focus their attention for a sustained period. Children are mesmerised and listen intently when staff read with enthusiasm. Children show a love for books. Regular story time helps to extend children's emerging vocabulary as they hear plenty of words when books are read aloud. Children of all ages enjoy messy, creative activities. They paint, explore water, play with sand and use their imagination as they investigate different materials. Creative play helps children to develop their ideas and contributes to good problem-solving skills. Overall, children have fun and enjoy learning new things in this busy, well-organised and stimulating nursery.

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

• Teamwork is excellent. Staff help each other and regularly offer their colleagues support and assistance. They frequently 'check-in' on their peers to offer a helping hand when needed. They share responsibilities equally. Children benefit greatly from good teamwork. Their needs are quickly met. Children witness respect between the adults who care for them and, in turn, learn how to work collaboratively.
• This is an inclusive and diverse setting and children from all backgrounds are valued and fully included. Staff and children speak many different languages and celebrate a range of cultural and religious festivals. Children learn to respect others who are different from themselves and show empathy and tolerance for the diverse world in which they live.
• All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress in their learning. Staff work with external agencies, such as health visitors and quality improvement officers, to ensure children receive tailored care and targeted learning opportunities.
• Children benefit from a varied curriculum. The manager and staff together design the programme of learning. As children progress through the nursery, activities increase in complexity and challenge to ensure children remain continually stimulated and supported in their development.
• Partnerships with parents are good. Staff share regular updates with parents both verbally and through online updates. Parents comment positively about the trusting relationships they share with the nursery staff.
• The manager and deputy manager observe staff interactions with children and provide honest feedback. They suggest ideas to improve teaching. Continual reflection and a drive to improve help to raise standards.
• Children are settled and enjoy warm relationships with staff. They enjoy their time spent in the nursery.
• Staff talk continually to children and ask plenty of questions. However, sometimes, staff do not allow time for children to respond to questions or encourage two-way discussion and conversation before moving on to another topic.
• Children explore a stimulating nursery. The environment indoors offers a wealth of interesting toys, equipment and play resources. The curriculum is broad and varied and children make good all-round progress. However, opportunities for those children who prefer to learn outside are less well supported.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• develop staff questioning skills to extend children's already good language skills further
• extend the rich learning opportunities available indoors to the outside environment, to fully support those children who prefer to learn outside.