Springwood Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive at this homely nursery. Staff think about the learning environment very well indeed, so that all children can access and enjoy a very wide range of learning opportunities. Children are supported and challenged in their learning by responsive staff, who extend their interests and prior learning. For example, children predict what the inside of certain fruits look like. They then test their ideas by cutting the fruit with knives and making it into smoothies to taste. Children develop their motor skills by making intricate models. They work collaboratively outdoors and support each other. For example, they weave fabric through wire mesh and try to channel water into a small vessel. Younger children are encouraged to play by older children, who take pride in looking after them.

Children take pride in their environment. They recognise when something needs to be tidied and do so without being prompted. They enjoy organic homemade food, which their chef proudly serves them. Older children talk happily over the lunch table, showing excellent conversational skills and superb manners. Leaders have implemented an exciting curriculum. They ensure that children have access to a broad range of activities which develop their skills and knowledge. Staff support opportunities for children's play with regular trips to forest school and the local library. They provide yoga and drama classes to enhance children's learning experiences. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported from staff, who work very closely with other partners. Parents are highly complimentary about the setting, and the work that leaders and staff do to support them.

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

• Children's behaviour and attitudes are exemplary. They have exceptional levels of engagement. Children concentrate deeply, remain on the task and seek challenge in their self-chosen play. For example, when children create models, they seek to add intricate pieces which require them to cut, roll and stick very carefully. Children make friendships as they explore their exceptional learning environment. They help each other balance as they move across the climbing frame and carry a pretend heavy pan of 'soup' together across the mud kitchen. Children of all ages work together to use large wooden planks to build complex constructions.
• Leaders have a very clear vision of the skills and knowledge they want children to acquire by the time they start school. This is shared consistently with staff and parents. Leaders use supervision sessions and training to ensure the highest standards of teaching are modelled and expected from all staff working with children.
• Babies delight in exploring their physical environment. Staff display resources at babies' heights to enable them to access them. When babies indicate that they would like to play outside, staff intuitively respond to help them access the outdoors. Children benefit from extended settling-in visits to help them make secure attachments with their key person. This brings great comfort to parents and high levels of well-being for children.
• Leaders give staff the highest level of support for staff at the setting. Staff's well-being is prioritised by the caring leaders, as are their training needs. Leaders work hard to facilitate flexible working patterns for staff. This impacts positively on staff's retention and continuity for children.
• Staff give children's early language development a priority. They use daily circle times to give children the opportunity to develop their language. Pre-school children engage in group discussions, developing their speaking and listening skills. Toddlers join in with actions and words at singing time. Babies point to pictures in books and smile, indicating that they want to hear the story again. When children play, staff model language very well.
• Partnerships between staff and parents are a strength at the setting. Staff give parents clear information about their child's development. Staff and parents work respectfully, and in partnership to support children's behaviour at home. Staff forge wider partnerships with other professionals to enable children with SEND to thrive.
• Staff know what children can do and understand what they need to do next. They take into account the views and knowledge of the wider staff team. This ensures a very thorough appraisal of children's current learning and development, to help staff plan for children's next steps in learning.