St Paul's Nursery School and Children's Centre

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The children thrive in this exceptional nursery which provides high-quality care for children under two years old. The highly motivated and caring staff provide an extremely nurturing and engaging environment for children to play and explore. Children excitedly engage in water play, which they use their whole body to explore. They stamp their feet and flap their hands to splash the water. They giggle as highly animated, enthusiastic staff copy their actions and praise their interactions.

The exceptional staff team tailor the daily care routines to the needs of each individual child. They use their extensive knowledge of the children to ensure their day at nursery mirrors their daily care routine at home. This results in all children being extremely happy and settled in the nursery. They have strong bonds with their key person, who is highly sensitive to all their care needs.

Children's behaviour is excellent. They learn how to play with their friends and share together. Children take turns on the steps and slide; they climb the steps and wait for their friends to go down the slide. When a friend learns a new skill, they smile and clap in response to the adult's reactions. They become increasingly aware of others as they play peekaboo between the fences in the garden with the older children.

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

• The inspirational senior leadership team is highly motivated. The staff are always striving to improve their already excellent practice. They recognise the impact of COVID-19 on families and young children. They have provided an extended family centred settling-in period to include video discussions and longer transitions. Parents speak highly of this and of the confidence they feel leaving their child at the nursery. As a result, children settle extremely well.
• Staff provide a high-quality, well-designed curriculum. They use an invitational approach to engage children in play and highly value the importance of their interactions from a very young age. Young children are encouraged to express their needs and emotions, and staff are highly sensitive to the smallest indications of these. Staff respond quickly and effectively, teaching children the importance and the value of their interactions. Young children are confident to request toys/activities and express their emotions.
• Exceptional staff engage children in activities which are of consistent high quality. They use their highly animated invitational teaching style to hold children's attention and teach them new skills. Children use their senses to explore fruit and vegetables. Staff provide children with tools to use. Children independently attempt to cut fruit. Staff skilfully model the action alongside the children and use words of encouragement. As a result, young children are extremely confident to engage and explore new activities and learn new skills.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have excellent individualised learning opportunities. Staff communicate with parents and use their extensive knowledge of children to plan activities that promote and extend their learning. They give children time to learn and become competent with new skills. This exemplary practice ensures children embed their learning, resulting in good foundations. Children are then ready for their next steps.
• Highly skilled staff provide activities that are rich with language. Children intently listen to a story about animals. They anticipate the next animal sound and 'roar' when they see the lion. Staff use language like 'yelping' and 'bellowing'. They introduce mathematical language by counting the animals with the children. Staff understand the importance of consistently providing children with new vocabulary and opportunities to mimic and copy sounds.
• There is an excellent partnership with parents. They express their love of the nursery and its warm caring environment. Parents speak highly of the enthusiastic 'amazing' staff team, who provide brilliant support for their children and the family unit.