Stonewell Cottage Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children settle quickly at this small and nurturing home-from-home nursery. They arrive happy and confident. Children are eager to explore their environment and the activities on offer. They soon become immersed in their play. Staff focus on building secure relationships with children and families. They know children very well, which helps them to identify what children need to learn next. Consequently, all children make good progress in their learning.

Staff teach older children how their bodies work, and children learn how exercise impacts their bodies. Children's physical skills are promoted well by staff. Babies learn to manoeuvre around furniture and negotiate small steps in the garden as they climb in the sandpit. Toddlers engage in a yoga session where they complete different stretches and learn about the different parts of their bodies. Older children show each other exercises that they know, such as star jumps and burpees. Staff talk to the children about how they will feel warm and out of breath. They teach them how to take their pulse and how to take care of themselves by drinking plenty of water. This helps children maintain their positive well-being.

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and teach them the importance of good manners. Children listen to staff and follow the nursery's routines and staff's expectations. As they go on regular walks, staff remind children to listen, hold hands and stay close, and they teach them how to cross roads safely.

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

• The curriculum developed in the nursery is ambitious. All staff have a clear understanding of what they want children to learn while they are at nursery. The curriculum to develop children's independence, self-help and resilience is particularly strong. Babies begin to feed themselves with spoons. In addition, they crawl to get their shoes to communicate that they wish to go outside. Older children help their friends to 'try hard'. For example, they hold each other's hand when balancing across beams and celebrate their achievements together.
• Staff plan a range of adult-led activities and learning experiences across all areas of the curriculum to support children's good progress. For instance, older children learn to use different tools as they peel and chop vegetables. However, staff do not consistently interact and respond to children to extend their learning further. There are some inconsistencies in the quality of education across the staff team. For example, some staff do not extend children's vocabulary as they play. In addition, some staff ask lots of questions, and encourage the children to shout out random answers.
• Diversity is celebrated at the nursery. For example, children share their cultural festivals with their friends. Staff talk to children about the celebrations they have at home, including what they eat and how they dress. Children have opportunities to learn to appreciate and value each other's differences. This helps to make the nursery inclusive and welcoming for all.
• The staff team works closely with other professionals to ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) progress well. Staff use specialised, targeted plans to help children with SEND make the progress that they are capable of. The effective use of additional funding enables children to access high-quality resources and join in all activities.
• All staff are ambitious about providing quality care and education for all children. Staff report high levels of well-being and feel very well supported by the leaders. They are encouraged to share their views and ideas. As a result, the provision is continually improving to ensure the very best outcomes for children.
• Staff support children's exploration skills well. They provide children with a wealth of media and materials to support their creativity and imagination. For example, children enjoy creating and playing with dough, sand, water and various arts and crafts. This gives them opportunities to build the muscles in their hands ready for writing as they use tools such as scissors, glue sticks and cutters.
• Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff organise stay-and-play sessions for families to take part in, while effective communication is supported through newsletters and parents' evenings. Parents say their children have settled 'amazingly' and 'love' coming to nursery. These partnerships help to provide continuity in children's learning and development.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen staff interactions to further extend children's knowledge and make the most of all opportunities to fully promote children's learning.