The Granary Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are confident and highly independent. They are exceptionally well behaved and have positive manners. The vibrant and engaging learning environment is outstanding. Children are highly motivated and curious. Children go for daily walks and enjoy picking apples and blackberries. They take these home to share and spontaneously cook crumble with them the next day, learning how they grow along the way. Children enjoy watching the tractors in the fields and call the nursery their 'tractor school'.

Children are imaginative and their play is inspirational. They are keen to experiment and try new things, such as mixing different-coloured water, herbs and petals to make potions. Children make cakes in the mud kitchen, using their hands as tools to pat the mixture. The cake is carefully decorated with herbs and petals to make patterns on the top. Children challenge themselves by carrying pots of potions, developing their physical strength and balance. They pay attention to detail and practise tasks over again to master them. Children engage the adults in their play, which is led by their own inquisitive natures and interests.

Children talk with confidence with their peers and adults. They display high levels of positive self-esteem and eagerness to join in. Children use a wide variety of vocabulary to describe and explain meaning. Everyday routines, such as mealtimes, are opportunities for children to talk and share experiences. They can share their feelings with others and make confident choices. Children make rapid progress in their prime areas of learning, preparing them for their next stages of education.

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

• The woodland area is an exceptional learning space. Children develop an understanding of boundaries and how to follow rules. They take risks and build resilience. Children use flags to identify areas where they can explore safely and are encouraged to take responsibility. Children climb trees and explore the natural seasonal environment. They collect firewood and cook on the fire pit. Children are excited to have the opportunity to peel vegetables and make chilli on the fire. They then sit on logs at base camp to enjoy their homemade lunch. These unique experiences build on lifelong skills and have an impact on what children know and learn.
• Practitioners are positive and enthusiastic about their roles. They are supported by an exemplary role model of a manager, who prioritises staff well-being. Practitioners feel valued at work and are committed to their professional development. The leadership team is confident in its role and shares the vision of the manager. Leaders work hard to reflect on practice and find innovative ways of developing practice. The focus of the nursery is clearly the children and giving them the best possible start in the early years.
• The manager and her team have undergone training with a specific focus on speech and language. This has a significant impact on children's early communication skills. Practitioners communicate at the children's level and are skilful in asking questions. They sit and read stories together, with children listening attentively. Practitioners sing nursery rhymes and children join in with actions. They squeal with excitement as practitioners animate stories and rhymes. There is a clear embedded culture of the importance of early communication. Children are strongly supported by attentive, calm and nurturing practitioners. These high-quality interactions benefit children's learning, development and overall outcomes.
• Procedures are rigorous and embedded. There are clear expectations in place for children and practitioners. The positive culture of the setting promotes strong inclusive values. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make significant progress. They are supported by passionate practitioners who work in partnership with professionals. The nursery has positive links with the wider community and a range of local schools.
• Partnership working with parents is outstanding. Parents talk warmly about the nursery and the practitioner team. The communication between nursery and home is highly effective. Parents know their children are happy, safe and well cared for at nursery. The nursery shares information about how the children are progressing and supports them with learning at home. Parents speak highly of key persons and the time taken to help children to settle. The families are a welcomed part of the nursery.