Stork Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children clearly enjoy their time at the nursery. Staff make children and their parents feel very welcome and part of their nursery family. Staff enjoy strong bonds with children. Children show that they feel safe and secure with the adults caring for them. Children are excited to talk to staff about their thoughts and ideas. Older children enjoy running around with their friends and telling staff that they are 'being healthy'.

Staff set high expectations for children's behaviour. Children demonstrate good listening skills as they take part in group activities together. They understand how to communicate with others and allow turn-taking in conversations. For example, children welcome each other to a group-time activity. They wait patiently for everyone to have their turn to speak and to say their name. Staff teach children to be respectful of each other and to be kind to their friends. Children welcome visitors to the setting and ask if they would like to share their play dough. Staff are very good role models, teaching children to be caring and considerate. Staff provide good care and education for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff work very effectively with other professionals to make sure that appropriate support is in place for children who need it.

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

• The manager has a clear vision for the nursery: to put children first at all times. Staff are very focused on making sure that children receive their undivided care and attention. Staff make sure that children's learning is individually designed to meet their needs. Staff find out about what children know and can do before they start at the nursery. They use this information to help them plan for future activities.
• Parents speak very highly of the caring attitude staff show them and their children. Parents appreciate the effort that staff go to in order to learn about their children's care needs. Staff provide daily feedback to parents about their child's eating. Parents state that this is helpful to them in supporting their children's eating at home. Children enjoy a range of healthy meals, which are freshly cooked in the nursery kitchen.
• Staff support children with SEND well. They swiftly identify when there are concerns about a child's development. Staff understand the role of other professionals in supporting children with SEND. They share information with parents and carers about the strategies they use to support children's learning.
• Children benefit from meaningful learning across the curriculum. Staff use children's interests to plan activities designed to support their progress. Staff encourage children to be effective communicators. They allow children time and space to talk, and introduce new vocabulary to them. During a painting activity, children discuss their excitement about Christmas and wonder whether they will be left a present under the tree. Staff listen well to children's ideas and ask them to consider how they can express themselves in more detail. This encourages children to extend their learning and to develop their communication skills. At times, however, staff do not consider how they can widen children's learning opportunities through creative activities. For example, children are only supplied with one colour with which to paint.
• Children demonstrate good attitudes to learning. They are interested in what staff and their friends say to them and listen attentively. Children enjoy taking part in games with their friends. They celebrate each other's achievements. Children enjoy sharing stories with staff. Sometimes, staff are busy with tasks in the area where the story is taking place. This results in the story being disrupted by low-level noise. This makes it difficult for children to focus and make the most of the story being shared.
• Children relish the opportunity to play outside with their friends in all weathers. Staff make sure that children are appropriately dressed for the cold. Staff support children to learn how to keep themselves physically active as they play running games outside. Children laugh with delight as staff play a supportive role in their games.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to make the most of learning opportunities for children during creative activities
• review how group activities, such as story time, are organised so that children are able to fully engage with the activity, free from distractions.