The Children's Garden Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children of all ages arrive eager and motivated for the day. They run in through the entrance and shout a cheery 'Hello' to the staff. Babies develop especially secure caring relationships with their key staff. When they are slightly unsettled as they wake from a nap, babies are instantly reassured with a genuine hug from staff. Children have very good language skills for their age and use them to show good recall of previous learning. Older toddlers spin their hands and tell visitors 'He is spinning his cocoon to make a butterfly'. Children thrive on staff's belief in their abilities. For example, young toddlers independently use a jug to pour their own drinks.

Children are curious and love to learn. Babies discover their senses as they explore flowers, smelling them and taking off the petals. Older toddlers learn about living things. They feed the free-roaming chicken outdoors and care for the free-roaming rabbit in their classroom. Pre-school children learn how to use their mark-making skills as they use a stick covered in mud to make pictures. Young toddlers foster their understanding of nature as they look up in awe as birds swoop down into the garden to collect food. They show a deep interest as staff talk to them about the different birds and what they are doing.

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

• The manager is highly passionate and dedicated to meeting the needs of every individual child and looking after her staff. She shows commitment to building on her continuous professional development, she is currently doing a Masters degree in early years. Recent training attended by staff has highlighted to the manager the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's mental health and well-being. Because of this, staff provide opportunities for children to take part in mindfulness activities to help them relax and re-focus.
• Staff have a superb understanding of what they are teaching and how the different theorists' approaches contribute to children's learning. Staff are motivating and enthusiastic in all activities that they support children with. This positive attitude excites children and makes them want to learn and have a go. Staff know the children they care for very well. The curriculum is carefully thought out to ensure that staff are consistently building on what they know children can do and what they need to learn next.
• The nursery values parents highly. Equally, parents have nothing but praise for the nursery and staff. Parents comment that the nursery has allowed their child to blossom. This relationship contributes to a shared care and learning experience for children.
• Staff provide excellent opportunities for children to learn how to keep themselves healthy. During lunch, pre-school children discuss with staff how different coloured foods may benefit them. For example, children comment that red food helps our heart to stay strong.
• Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language, thrive in the nursery. Staff liaise very closely with parents to ensure that each child receives the support they need. Children who speak English as an additional language show excellent speaking skills and children with SEND make super progress within their capabilities.
• Staff understand the benefits of allowing babies to sleep outdoors. They wrap them up warmly and supervise them closely. This has a positive effect on children, who sleep very peacefully as they fall asleep to the sounds of nature and in the fresh air.
• Staff provide excellent opportunities for children to develop superb physical skills. Pre-school children scream in delight as they slide down, on their tummies and on their backs, the sheer slope in forest school. Young toddlers who recently began to walk, confidently negotiate the stairs in their room. The indoor slide is a popular way to get from upstairs to downstairs.
• There are very strong links in place with the local community, which help children to gain a strong sense of the immediate world around them. For example, children have created artwork to be displayed in the local art gallery. The children regularly visit the local town, such as the market to buy fresh fruit and vegetables.