St Barnabas Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff greet parents and children warmly. Children enter nursery happily, hang their coats on their pegs and confidently separate from their parents. They greet their friends and settle into the nursery day. Staff plan activities based on children's interests, which supports their future learning. An effective key-person system means that staff know children's individual care and learning needs well and incorporate them into the day. Children enjoy using their imaginations and recreate familiar experiences and pretend to be doctors and nurses. Some immediately lie down, getting in the role of the patient and waiting to be seen. Others select first-aid boxes and bags and begin to administer bandages and medicine and pretend to listen to their friends' heartbeats. Staff provide spoons and ladles which children use to fill jugs and weighing scales with rice and proudly show staff what they have done.

Staff provide lots of support to children who respond well to requests made of them. They are delighted when they receive stickers for things they have done well. Children watch as staff place their sticker on their photo which is displayed for all to see. Staff's use of praise supports children's confidence and self-esteem. Children relish spending time outdoors in the fresh air. They confidently manoeuvre themselves over the climbing frame and move skilfully on the climbing wall. Some children enjoy relaxing while sitting on the bench looking at books with their friends.

Children actively involve staff in their play. They have fun and show through their behaviour that they feel safe in nursery. Children make good progress. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well. Staff work in partnership with parents and other professionals to ensure that they receive any additional support they may need.

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

• The manager and staff work well together. They are committed to providing the best care and learning opportunities for children. The manager recognises the skills of her staff team. Regular supervisions and staff meetings take place. Professional development opportunities are identified and accessed and staff share what they have learned with the wider team. This helps them to continually raise the quality of practice within the nursery.
• Staff support children's language and communication skills well. Parents say they are happy with how their children's speech is developing. Activities are based around a story of the week. Children play an active role in telling the story and take turns to guess what is happening next. They recall that the fox found a hat under the mat and he found one sock by the clock. Children cheer loudly when the fox eventually finds the socks he needs. However, at times, the noise levels can rise, which some children struggle with and this then impacts on their learning and play.
• Children's safety is paramount and security within the nursery is good. Staff take effective steps to ensure that all areas of the nursery and the equipment and furniture are safe and suitable.
• Children develop independence. They understand the need to wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. Personal care needs are met well. Children's health and well-being are a priority and they enjoy snacks of fresh fruit and wholemeal toast. Accidents are dealt with swiftly and records shared with parents.
• Staff support children as they prepare for their move on to school. They liaise with the schools that children will be attending. Staff share information with teachers about children's time in nursery to make the transition to school as smooth as possible.
• Children regularly practise joining dots to form the letters of their names. However, staff do not consistently support children to understand how to form letters correctly. Sometimes, children start at the bottom of the letter, so they do not develop correct habits from the outset.
• Children learn about cultural events that take place throughout the year. They are encouraged to share their own experiences and talk about celebrations that are taking place within their families. Children see positive images of people from around the world and of varying abilities through a range of books and resources.
• Parents are absolutely delighted with the care and support given to their children. They feel communication between themselves and staff is really good, both verbally and through the use of an online app. Parents feel that their children have the best time at nursery and always have lots to tell them when they go home.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen the support for children's early writing skills so that they are supported to understand how letters are formed
• consider how noise levels impact on children's learning and play.