The Arts Centre Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children of all ages enjoy days full of interesting learning at this nursery. They arrive eager to play with their friends. Children are happy as staff greet them warmly. Older children show their curiosity and imagination during outdoor play. They dig in soil as they plant vegetables and flowers. Children learn to care for the plants as they fill containers from the tap and confidently water the plants. Younger children mix sand and scoop it into containers. They become immersed in the texture of the sand as they trickle it from hand to hand. Activities such as these help children to develop strength in their hands in readiness for when they start to write.

Children play imaginatively. They enjoy role play and confidently recreate their experiences from home. They happily serve each other pretend coffee and cake. At other times, children concentrate intently as they listen to interesting stories. Children show that they feel safe at nursery as they are keen to involve staff in their play and conversations. Babies approach staff for comfort, particularly when they are feeling tired. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff provide children with even greater support in relation to regulating their behaviour and emotional development. As a result, children behave well, which will benefit them when they start school.

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

• Leaders plan and staff deliver an engaging and challenging curriculum for all children. They provide children with exciting experiences that they might not otherwise have access to. Children learn about the city in which they live as they visit local places of worship, cathedrals and libraries. Staff have high expectations for all children and deliver activities that prepare children for the next stage in their learning.
• Staff are enthusiastic and motivated. They are led by passionate leaders who strive to provide a high standard of care and education. Leaders regularly monitor staff practice. However, feedback offered to staff does not always sharply focus on improving staff practice to ensure that the highest quality of teaching is consistently achieved across the nursery.
• Staff support children's communication and language development. They read stories and engage children in lively singing sessions. Children share their views and participate in interesting conversations. Staff expertly support children. They provide a commentary of children's play, and if children use words incorrectly, staff model the correct use. This means that children understand correct language use and are confident communicators.
• Older children challenge themselves as they balance and climb on crates and eagerly bounce on a trampoline. This helps to develop their physical strength.
• Babies develop their coordination and strength as they roll over and enjoy 'tummy time'. Children are independent from a young age. For example, they use knives to chop fruit at snack time and pour water from a jug into their cup. This helps children to develop their strength, dexterity and independence skills. This will benefit children when they start school.
• Children's uniqueness is valued and celebrated by staff. Children learn about their peers and the special events in their lives such as Onam, Eid and Easter. Managers have worked closely with parents and community groups to ensure that resources in the nursery correctly reflect the heritage and culture of children who attend. This helps children to feel secure and prepares them for life in modern Britain.
• Staff offer children wholesome foods, which helps them to learn about healthy food choices. Children also enjoy sociable mealtimes as they sit and talk to their friends and key persons. These experiences contribute to children's understanding of their health and their social development.
• Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents give overwhelmingly positive feedback about the nursery. They feel valued and appreciate the 'nurturing approach' of the managers and staff. Parents receive detailed information about their children's experiences. The manager provides lots of ideas for parents. She educates parents on how to play with their children to support learning. As a result, children benefit from a consistent approach to their learning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• enhance arrangements for the monitoring and supervision of staff and provide staff with precise feedback to help them to improve their teaching further.