St Aidans Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children arrive happily and are eager to engage in their learning at this community nursery. For example, enthusiastic staff greet children on arrival and they quickly separate from their parents at the door. Children self-register using their 'I am here' cards, place their belongings in the cloakroom and sanitise their hands. The friendly staff team are well deployed around the setting to support all children to become increasingly independent. This quickly settles children into the daily routine. Children are curious as they explore what is on offer and quickly engage in their play and learning.

Children behave well across the nursery. For instance, staff remind children at the beginning of the session what is expected of them as they discuss their 'golden rules'. Staff explain changes that have been made to the environment, such as rows of chairs in the garden ready for sports day and give children clear boundaries to follow. Children respond well to adult requests and conduct themselves in a positive manner.

Staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The SENCO regularly monitors children's progress and holds regular discussions with the staff team to ensure that any gaps in learning are quickly identified and appropriate support plans are put in place. This ensures that all children make continued progress across the seven areas of learning and development

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

• The curriculum is well planned to meet the needs of the children that attend, staff understand what they are teaching and why. For example, staff know the children well and plan effectively around their current interests and next steps in learning. Children are highly engaged in their learning as they role play in the 'football stadium'. Staff join them in their play and extend their knowledge further as they introduce math's language as children role play with a till. Children enjoy making marks as staff introduce note pads to support their learning further. Meaningful discussions take place between the staff and children. Children become confident learners, who are more than ready for their next stage of learning, especially school.
• Teaching is good at this nursery, and staff generally support children's early language and communication skills well. For instance, older children are confident talkers who readily share their ideas with the staff and their friends. Children thoroughly enjoy story time as staff read in a highly engaging way. Nonetheless, at times staff do not consistently support all children to share their views, thoughts and feelings. For example, on occasion, some children do not receive all of the targeted help they need with their language skills, so they can fully engage with the learning on offer.
• Staff are consistent in their approach to behaviour management across the nursery. Children have positive attitudes to their learning and play and behave well. For example, children enjoy playing team games such as tennis in the garden. They work together in collaboration and share and take turns with equipment so all their friends can join in. Children respond well when there is a change in routine and follow the request of adults. However, there are occasions when staff do not fully explain what is happening next. They do not always organise routines effectively and sometimes children wait for prolonged periods without understanding why. Some children become confused and bored at these times and this impacts on their behaviour.
• Children have lots of opportunities to develop good physical health. For instance, they spend large amounts of time playing in the fresh air in the garden. Children take part in obstacle courses, and demonstrate good gross motor skills as they run, jump and climb. Staff support children well to understand how physical activity impacts on their bodies. They encourage children to drink lots of water that they independently access from a water urn in the garden. This has a positive impact on their development as they learn to live healthy lives.
• Leadership and management at the nursery is good. For example, the manager follows safe recruitment guidelines when employing new staff and holds regular meetings with existing staff to ensure that they continue to be suitable to work with children. The manager values her staff and involves them in the day to running of the setting, such as the curriculum planning and implementation, so they feel valued as a part of a team. This helps to foster a positive culture among all staff.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review and improve the organisation of daily routines to avoid long waiting periods and help children understand what is happening next
• strengthen staff's skills in consistently supporting children's early communication and language development, to help all children fully benefit from any planned learning.