The Cabin at Wolseley Hub

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The caring and friendly staff welcome children warmly as they arrive at the nursery. Children enjoy a chat or a cuddle with staff before enthusiastically exploring the inviting activities on offer. Staff are good role models and create a calm and happy atmosphere in the nursery. They expertly support children to understand their own feelings and cooperate with others as they play.

The provider and staff have designed a broad and inclusive curriculum that puts children's social and emotional development at the centre of all they do. They care for and nurture children, forming close relationships and organising a routine that promotes their emotional security. Staff skilfully implement the curriculum throughout the nursery, building on what children already know and can do. For example, children become increasingly adept at balancing on stepping stones outdoors as staff encourage them to keep trying. Children gain good physical skills as they enjoy being physically active in the fresh air, developing their good health and well-being.

Staff encourage children to have a go at doing everything for themselves. For example, at snack time, they become confident at helping themselves and tidying away afterwards. Children smile broadly when they manage something new, saying proudly, 'I did it!'

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

• The provider and staff prioritise children's communication and language development. Throughout the nursery, staff encourage back-and-forth conversations, for instance at snack times, when children enjoy chatting to staff and develop good social skills. Staff expertly join in with children's creative play, for example when children pretend to be sailing on a pirate ship. They encourage children to express their ideas, which extends their vocabulary.
• Children develop a love of books and become engrossed in familiar stories, such as 'Supertato' as staff encourage them to anticipate what will happen next. Staff provide real vegetables for children to explore, and they enjoy re-enacting the story and becoming 'Supertato'. This supports their early literacy skills and positive attitudes to learning.
• Children love exploring and leading their own play. For example, they spend a long time scooping water and pretending to pour cups of tea. Staff interact positively, encouraging them to smell and squeeze orange and lemon slices. Staff organise adult-guided groups that help children to listen and follow instructions. However, at times, during group activities, not all children have opportunities to express their thoughts and fully extend their learning.
• The provider has robust risk assessments in place to ensure the premises and equipment are suitable. The provider deploys staff effectively and ensures that children are supervised at all times. Children learn to play safely and enjoy helping to tidy away after playing with toys. They learn to be independent, capable and gain a sense of belonging.
• The provider and staff monitor children's development thoroughly to notice any gaps in their learning. They work in very effective partnership with other professionals to ensure all children reach their full potential. Staff provide precise plans to meet children's needs, and the provider uses any additional funding effectively. Staff are kind and sensitive, regularly praising children's efforts and building their growing self-esteem.
• The provider and staff continually reflect on their work and are passionate about improving the service they provide for children and families. There is very effective support for staff to develop their knowledge and skills further. Staff say they really enjoy working at the nursery and feel well supported in their role. The provider is developing the relatively new staff team and recognises the need to support staff to adapt their practice further according to the individual interests and needs of children consistently.
• Parents speak highly of the nursery. They value the support and advice of the staff and the regular updates about children's progress. Children learn about their local community and celebrate other cultures beyond their own. The provider forms links with local organisations, such as the community hub, and works closely with schools to ensure children move on to their future education confidently.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• consider the organisation of adult-guided group activities to ensure all children participate fully and extend their learning
• support staff to respond more effectively to the individual interests and needs of children to strengthen and deepen their engagement in learning.