The Acorn Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and relaxed. They are excited to arrive at this welcoming nursery. Children greet the staff they know very well and immediately begin to chat to their friends. They develop close bonds with the caring and warm staff. Children play with activities that are meticulously planned by staff to reflect the children's individual interests. They are inquisitive learners who explore the environment and choose their own play with confidence. For example, they use various art materials and role play using play dough, which they cut, squeeze and shape into ladybirds and caterpillars. Staff support children to develop good communication and language skills. For example, staff ask questions about their play and children respond appropriately. Children who need extra help to communicate begin to use single words and develop a keen interest in letters.

Children relish playing outdoors. They have plenty of opportunities to be physically active. They use wheeled toys, jump, balance and kick and throw balls. Children behave well. Staff are skilled at supporting them to communicate their needs and regulate their emotions. Staff model good sharing and turn-taking. This helps children to play happily with their friends. Children learn to take care of their personal needs. They put on their coats and wash their hands after going to the toilet. This helps to ensure they have the self-help skills needed in preparation for school.

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

• Partnerships with parents are positive. Parents highly value the care and educational experiences given to their children by the committed staff team. They comment positively about the emotional support that staff provide to their children during periods of change. The manager ensures staff maintain constant communication with parents. Staff inform parents of children's next steps and how to continue their learning at home.
• Staff provide engaging opportunities for children to practise their mark making and develop early writing skills. Older children recognise numbers and begin to count. However, not all staff are confident in supporting children's mathematics skills. For instance, they do not consistently help children to count with accuracy.
• Staff observe and assess children's progress, helping them to build on what they already know and can do. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff work closely with parents to make referrals to seek support from other professionals for children with gaps in their development. Staff help children who speak English as an additional language to acquire good English speaking skills. Consequently, all children make good progress from their starting points.
• Children learn about minibeasts. They use their imaginations outdoors to create and build a house for them to live in. For example, they use leaves, twigs, soil and a box to keep the caterpillars, ants and ladybirds safe.
• Communication and language are a key priority. Staff constantly repeat new words and encourage children to join in with rhymes and songs. Children show great interest in books. For instance, young children listen attentively to familiar stories. Older children confidently answer questions about what they can see on the page. During circle time, children share photos and stories about their home life and families.
• Children have a range of opportunities to learn about themselves and others, and staff embrace the different backgrounds of the children and their families. For example, staff learn how to greet children and their parents in their home language. This helps children to develop a deep understanding of their uniqueness and supports high levels of mutual respect. Children enjoy dance, music, drama, yoga, football, forest school and Spanish sessions.
• Staff and the children plant fruit and vegetables. Children learn how they grow and why it is important to look after the environment. They understand the importance of keeping themselves healthy and of eating a good diet.
• The manager's self-evaluation of the nursery is thorough and includes the development of children's resilience, health and emotional well-being. She provides new opportunities to challenge and strengthen children's learning. Staff receive regular supervision and ongoing training to extend their knowledge and strengthen their skills. The manager respects staff's well-being and has an open-door policy. Staff feel well supported by the managers and are happy in their roles.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• develop a stronger understanding of how to support children's mathematics skills in accordance with their age and stage of development.