Sherborne House Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the nursery. They arrive happily and quickly engage in purposeful play. Children benefit from a well-planned environment which clearly supports their next steps in learning. For example, babies have lots of space to develop their physical skills, as they begin to pull themselves up on strategically placed low-level equipment. Interesting resources capture children's curiosity. This means that even the youngest children display high levels of concentration and become active learners. Children are ready for their next stage in learning as a result.

Children learn from an early age what makes them unique. For example, children enjoy a game as they explore their senses. They giggle as staff tickle their noses with mint as they take a sniff. Staff commentate on children's likes and dislikes as they discuss their reactions.

Children share strong attachments with staff, who respond to them with interest, warmth and care. Children, including those who are new to the nursery, receive cuddles and reassurance. This helps them feel safe and secure. Staff carefully consider children's views during care routines. For instance, staff respond to babies' non-verbal cues when asking them if they are ready for a nappy change. This helps children feel respected and valued.

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

• Managers use what they know about children to construct a curriculum that focuses on what they want them to learn. They consider the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on babies' early experiences, for example their opportunities to socialise and recognise facial expressions. In response, staff plan regular group singing and music sessions. This attention to detail ensures gaps in learning are quickly identified and prioritised.
• Managers use supervision sessions effectively to identify staff's training needs. They creatively find ways to develop staff's knowledge and skills through coaching. Managers recognise individual staff's strengths and utilise these well. For instance, staff with less experience of working with babies benefit from tailor-made support from more experienced staff. This has a positive impact on children's experiences.
• Staff plan a range of open-ended activities that reflect the skills they want children to develop. However, at times, staff miss opportunities to extend learning further. For example, during a painting activity, staff did not consider creating more space to enable children to practise large arm movements. This means that the learning intent is not always met as fully as possible to maximise children's learning.
• Staff support children's early communication development well. They demonstrate a secure understanding of how children learn. Staff consistently commentate on young children's play, repeat unclear language correctly and introduce basic meaningful words. Staff expose toddlers to new vocabulary. For example, they introduce the word 'strum' as they model the action on a ukulele and repeat the word several times. This practice helps to embed new words.
• Children are developing a love of stories and rhymes. They independently access a range of storybooks and factual books. Babies sit intently and turn the pages to look at pictures of interest. Staff make stories enticing as they imitate the noises of animals. Children enjoy snuggling up and sharing a book with staff.
• Children learn about the world around them. During outside play they use their magnifying glasses to explore leaves in detail. They listen intently and show excitement when they hear aeroplanes or birds chirping. Staff use questions to challenge children's thinking. For example, they ask toddlers where the chirping is coming from. Toddlers look around and identify that the 'birds are in the trees'.
• Children are starting to make early relationships with their peers. They happily play alongside their friends and show each other the item they are playing with. Children receive praise for 'good sharing' when they hand items to each other. They sit independently at mealtimes and 'babble' to their friends.
• Managers and staff work closely with parents and professionals. They share information, including changes to children's care routines and well-being, during daily communication with parents. Parents report that they are very happy with the care their children receive and the progress they make.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• enhance staff's teaching skills to enable them to extend children's learning further so they are able to reach their fullest potential.