The Butterfly Patch, Norman House

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The manager and staff create a warm and welcoming environment. Children confidently explore the well organised resources and make choices in their play. Staff are very nurturing and give children lots of praise and encouragement to support their self-esteem and confidence. Children have lots of opportunities to learn about themselves and each other and value their similarities and differences. For example, they enjoy showing each other their 'All About Me' books, looking at photos of their families and home life.

Staff know the children exceptionally well and children demonstrate they feel safe and secure. Staff plan activities and experiences based upon children's interests and next steps in learning. For each activity, they look at why they are doing it and why now for these children. This helps all children to make good progress and they are well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

Staff support children's behaviour well. They are good role models for positive behaviour and give lots of gentle reminders. They quickly respond to children's needs and encourage children to use good manners. Children are kind and considerate to each other and learn to take turns and share resources.

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

• The manager and staff have a good understanding of how children learn and develop. They create a curriculum that sparks children's curiosity and wonder, providing a wide range of natural and real-life resources for children to explore. For example, children delight in searching for insects in the garden, looking at how they move and where they live.
• The management team are passionate about providing good quality care for the children. They work well with the staff to effectively evaluate the nursery, looking at what they do well and what they can do to improve. For instance, they have recently adapted how they support staff to further develop their confidence.
• The management team effectively support their staff. They provide various schemes to support their well-being and highly value their staff. Good use of training, staff meetings and peer observations to develop staff's knowledge and experience helps to improve practice and outcomes for children. Recent training around the characteristics of effective learning have helped staff develop their teaching skills. However some need further support on how to extend children's thinking and problem solving skills.
• Staff communicate with children well and are good role models. They speak slowly and clearly, introducing new vocabulary. However, when asking questions, they do not always give children enough time to think and respond.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive very good support. Staff know the children incredibly well and how best to support their development. They work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure all children make good progress from their starting points.
• Staff support children's independence well. For example, babies confidently make choices in their play and feed themselves. Older children take part in self-registration when they arrive. They also enjoy serving themselves at meal times and pouring their own drinks.
• Staff work really well with parents and keep them involved and up to date with their children's learning. Parents receive regular photos and observations through an online app and are invited to regular events at the nursery. Staff also share ideas to support children's learning at home. Parents confirm that their children achieve well and they value the good support they receive from the friendly and approachable staff team.
• Children are well behaved. They confidently remind each other of the nursery rules and understand what is expected of them. When needed, staff support children to manage any conflicts themselves and understand how to regulate their feelings.
• Children enjoy playing outside, where they have many opportunities to develop their physical skills. They experience safe risks and challenges as they balance across beams and play ball games. Additionally, regular trips outside of the nursery to local parks or for forest school visits, further support children's physical well-being.
• Staff introduce daily routines to children to help them adopt a healthy lifestyle. For example, children know about the importance of washing their hands before eating to reduce the spread of germs.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to consistently extend children's learning and develop their thinking skills
• build on the good teaching practice in place and ensure all staff give children enough time to think and respond to questions, to help extend their language development further.