Sunny Kids - The Grove

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy, confident and well settled at this nursery. Staff spend time getting to know individual children well. They build warm, trusting relationships that support children's emotional development and security. Staff demonstrate strong teamwork and work cohesively to create a calm, nurturing environment. Routines are well embedded, and children move smoothly between activities, showing confidence and independence.

Children benefit from a broad and engaging curriculum that covers all areas of learning and is closely tailored to their individual needs. Staff carefully consider the needs and interests of the children that attend. They understand the learning intentions of the activities they provide, and there are clear expectations for all children's learning and progress. Staff identify and support children who need extra help in their learning and development. They liaise with other professionals to be able to provide the best support possible. This helps all children to gain the skills and knowledge they need for their future learning.

Children feel challenged and have positive attitudes to learning. They feel motivated and excited to learn new knowledge and skills. Staff have a consistent approach to behaviour management and encourage children to make positive decisions. As a result, behaviour throughout the setting is very good.

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

• The provider and management team foster a positive ethos and a strong sense of teamwork among staff. Staff feel well supported and are encouraged to develop further as childcare professionals. As a team, they are dedicated professionals who put children and families at the heart of their practice. Staff strive to make a positive difference to the lives of the children in their care. They are supported well by the provider and management team.
• Staff regularly assess children's learning and development. They plan purposeful activities based on children's interests and next steps. Staff give children the resources they need to develop their skills and fascinations. Sometimes, staff do not take every opportunity to offer children more targeted interactions during their activities. When this happens, they do not extend their learning or deepen their understanding as well as at all other times.
• Children enjoy many opportunities to practise their physical skills. They enjoy riding the scooter, pretending they are in a police chase, or transferring water when making potions. Children practise their hand-eye coordination when completing puzzles and use their hand muscles when making a teddy bear in the art and craft area. Children are encouraged to have a go, and staff are always close by to offer help if needed. This fosters a sense of resilience in children.
• Children are well supported with their communication and language skills. Staff ask children open questions when building a tower, trying to find out what they should do to make it more stable. Children are thrilled to join in with songs the provider starts playing at the piano. They have opportunities to look at books and read stories with staff. This helps to create a positive attitude towards literacy and music.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported to make good progress. Staff work in partnership with parents and other professionals to implement targeted strategies to support children's development. The setting has good links with external professional agencies to ensure that children receive timely support.
• The setting has effective links with the local school. It shares important and necessary information about the children with the teachers. This helps to plan an effective and smooth transitioning for the children. Staff set up a school in the role-play area and ask the children about their taster sessions at school. This supports children's emotional readiness for their next stage in education.
• Staff have built strong, positive relationships with parents. Parents speak very highly of this setting. They describe it as caring and family orientated, with staff that are enthusiastic for their children. They feel that staff know their children extremely well. Parents value the weekly newsletters and regular updates regarding their children's development. This helps them to support their children with their learning at home.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• encourage staff to strengthen their interactions with children during their everyday activities to further extend their learning.