The Chase Clacton

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are at the centre of this nurturing nursery. They arrive happily, and energetic staff greet them by name as they welcome them into the nursery. Children proudly recognise their name on their self-registration 'caterpillar' and put it on their peg as they arrive. This gives children a sense of belonging.

Staff demonstrate an incredibly enthusiastic approach to outdoor learning. Children benefit greatly from opportunities to explore, imagine and investigate. They confidently make their own choices in learning and decide what they want to do. Staff deploy themselves well and engage with children in activities.

Children behave well and staff take swift action to support children when any conflicts arise. Staff support children to learn how to share and take turns with each other. They remind children of the rules of the setting to help them learn what is expected of them. Children show high levels of curiosity and concentration during activities. Young children develop scientific knowledge as they are supported by nurturing staff to explore what happens when warm water is mixed with ice. They smile with delight as they watch how the ice melts and the animals hiding in the ice are revealed.

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

• Staff regularly revisit children's previous experiences to extend on their learning further. For example, when exploring with sand, staff support young children to recall items they may find at the beach. Children laugh with friends as they recall seashells. However, staff do not consistently ensure that their teaching allows children time to share their own thoughts or ideas during activities.
• Children of all ages demonstrate high levels of independence. Older children enjoy taking on additional responsibilities such as 'special helper' and excitedly help to prepare snack for their friends. Young children practise the skills of attending to their own care needs, such as handwashing. Children have opportunities to learn about the importance of keeping themselves healthy. They learn how to brush their teeth effectively, and staff support children to understand the importance of drinking water after exercise.
• Children demonstrate secure early mathematical knowledge. Young children paint their own octopus and enjoy counting with staff how many legs it has. Older children confidently identify the number of boys and girls that are at the nursery during their group time. However, group activities are not always adapted to meet the learning needs of quieter children. This means that not all children fully engage in the learning experience provided.
• Staff support children to develop a love for literacy. Children have access to a vast array of different books and print in their learning environment to extend on their knowledge further. They excitedly listen to stories, snuggled up to a member of staff. Older children skilfully identify and discuss the similarities and differences of the different dinosaurs in the story.
• Staff know children very well and all staff have a shared understanding of children's individual needs and next steps in learning. They monitor children's progress effectively through daily activities. Staff regularly observe children to gather information about what they can do, which helps to inform their next steps for future learning. As a result, all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress in their learning.
• Partnerships with parents are good. Parents highlight that they feel well supported by staff. They share that their child's development has progressed significantly since attending the nursery. Parents describe the nursery as 'fantastic' and 'amazing' and outline that staff genuinely care for the children. They explain that the staff provide them with activities and ideas to support their child's learning at home.
• The manager has created an environment where all staff feel valued and happy while at work. They provide regular opportunities for staff to share their own ideas and choose further training they would like to do. Staff highlight the strong sense of teamwork across the nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to ensure that children are given time to share their own views or ideas during activities
• improve the organisation of group activities and teaching to provide quieter children with more support in their learning.