Sunshine Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The manager warmly greets every child and parent as they arrive at nursery. They quickly engage in conversation and offer support as children hang up their belongings. This helps children to feel settled and calm as they start the day. Staff spend dedicated time with children when they first start, sensitively providing reassurance and offering experiences that engage them. This means children feel secure as they receive care and attention, which is tailored to their individual needs. Children in the baby room delight in staff getting down at their level and joining in with their games. Staff interact effectively to help children to further develop their skills and gain the most from their play. Staff create a quiet and calm environment throughout the nursery. Children learn to understand and manage their feelings, emotions and the impact of their actions on their friends. As a result, their behaviour through the nursery is exemplary.

The manager and staff team have devised a well-thought-out curriculum. Staff plan a good range of enticing activities that captivate children's interests and concentration. For example, children develop strong hand muscles and good hand- to-eye coordination. Toddlers remain deeply absorbed as they independently turn on the tap to investigate how water moves down the tubes on the water wall. Older children skilfully draw and paint with ease and begin to write and recognise their own names. Babies persist as they explore painting with their hands.

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

• Children's behaviour is excellent. Staff provide children with clear boundaries and guidance, so that they understand what is expected of them. They make gentle interventions to help babies to learn how to use equipment safely, such as when they are sweeping up with a broom. When children find it difficult to manage their feelings and behaviour, staff monitor children meticulously to identify potential triggers and implement targeted support.
• The manager has developed a strong culture of self-reflection and provides staff with extensive support to empower them in their roles. He works closely with staff in each room to self-review and identify how they can enhance their own practice. Staff say that they very much enjoy working at the nursery, and they put children at the centre of all they do. This is evident throughout the nursery. Staff are happy, and children are curious and keen to learn and develop their skills.
• Children are self-motivated to learn and have a 'can-do' attitude. They are inquisitive and keen to learn. Overall, children show high levels of engagement in their play and make good progress in their development. However, occasionally, staff do not adapt activities to extend quieter children's learning.
• Parents and carers express genuine happiness about the care their children receive at the nursery. They know staff well and appreciate the communication they receive about their children's experiences while at nursery. Parents comment on the progress their children have made and describe their children as 'coming on leaps and bounds' since attending and being happy when they arrive. They know their children's level of development and what activities their children have been taking part in, and how to support children's learning at home.
• Staff promote children's communication and language skills extremely well. They clearly narrate and emphasise words for children to copy. Staff clearly and sensitively describe objects and actions for children as they play with them. Children learn to clearly pronounce words, such as 'squidgy' and 'squashy'. Staff use a core book each week to encourage children to become familiar with a story. Through exciting and inspirational story telling, children develop a love of books and stories. They use every opportunity to retell their favourite stories.
• Staff provide vast and varied activities to enable children to develop their independence skills. For example, all children learn to dress themselves for outdoor play. Children confidently lead their own play and work with their friends, discussing how to achieve their goals. This approach supports children's resilience and prepares them extremely well for their future learning.
• Throughout the nursery, children develop an excellent knowledge and understanding of the wider world. Children learn about various cultures, celebrations and festivals. Staff further extend children's understanding, such as through visits into the community and inviting visitors into nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• consider more closely how staff monitor and adapt activities to ensure that all children, in particular quieter children, can make the best possible progress.