Straylands Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children come into the nursery with enthusiasm. They develop strong bonds with their key person, who knows them well. Staff are friendly and caring. Children feel safe and secure in their company. They spontaneously approach staff for cuddles or to sit on their lap for a story. Staff support babies' and young children's communication skills effectively. Babies are encouraged to babble. Staff look at babies when they speak to them and await a response.

Children have lots of opportunities to be physically active. They spend a great amount of time in their outdoor space, where they can balance, ride bicycles and enjoy a range of experiences. For example, children go on a bear hunt outdoors. They make maps to find the bear and pass over sensory bags to experience the different terrains. Children excitedly recall the story as they hunt for the bear. They run away and hide in excitement when they find it. Children are developing a love of stories and storytelling.

Children are mindful of their feelings and the feelings of others. For example, they describe the owl babies' story as 'sad' when they are left alone. Nurturing staff explain that the mummy comes back for them, just like their mummies do. Older children share their experiences on the 'news chair'. Children show increasing levels of confidence and self-esteem.

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

• Children make very good progress in their speaking and listening skills. Staff model language and introduce new words to children. This enhances and expands children's vocabulary. For example, children recall the names of the bugs in the 'Sam's Sandwich' storybook. Children draw rockets and talk about how fast they will go.
• The on-site chef prepares healthy and nutritious home-cooked meals and snacks. Children learn the importance of eating a healthy diet and having good oral hygiene. Staff support children's independence skills as they encourage them to serve their food and clear their plates. Children show good hygiene practices when washing their hands. They learn how to put on their shoes and coats ready for outdoor adventures.
• Overall, staff support children's learning and development well. Children make good progress, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, staff do not consistently build on what children already know and can do in order to move their learning forward.
• Children's behaviour is good. They play cooperatively with their friends and are learning to share and take turns. Staff are good role models to the children. Children respond positively when staff remind them to use good manners.
• Children learn about the natural world around them. They recall their experiences of watching chicks hatch and grow. Older children are learning to care for animals and have a pet mouse named 'Chip'. Children visit local parks to watch the squirrels and feed the ducks on the river.
• Parents comment positively about the nursery. They feel that their children are making good progress in their learning, especially in building their confidence. Parents receive daily feedback on their children's care routines and what activities their children have enjoyed. Parents have access to a wide range of story sacks that can be borrowed from the nursery to encourage storytelling at home.
• The manager leads her staff team well and implements effective supervision and coaching. Staff say that they feel valued and supported by the manager and other colleagues. Any training requirements are quickly identified and put in place. This ensures that children are supported in their learning and development by skilful and knowledgeable staff.
• The nursery has developed strong links with local schools, which helps to support children when the time comes to leave the nursery. For example, teachers visit the nursery to meet the children and take part in their play.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• plan more effectively and build upon children's existing skills and knowledge, in order to raise their achievements to a higher level.