The Hunny Bee Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children's enthusiasm for learning is ignited by the staff in this safe and nurturing environment. Babies develop early language and communication skills as they use sign language for milk when they are thirsty. Toddlers busily explore new materials, developing their hand muscles as they add small, interesting objects to fragranced dough. Staff extend this activity and ask children questions, supporting and expanding vocabulary as they use words, such as matchsticks, bolts, and mechanics. Pre-school children use a variety of mathematical language as they play with water beads. They identify numbers and explore capacity as they fill test tubes of different sizes. They show deep concentration as they become engrossed in activities of their choice.

Children's behaviour is excellent. Staff support children to use the nursery's behaviour ethos, such as being 'respectful lions' or 'responsible bees'. This supports children to understand behaviour that is expected of them. Children have positive attitudes to learning and show a high level of engagement as they persist with difficult tasks. For instance, older children are challenged to balance planks onto barrels to make an assault course. They shout with delight as they succeed. Children develop empathy and friendships as they work together as a team to complete tasks. For example, they turn their imaginary car into a bus, so that everyone can join in and go to the beach.

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

• Managers have created an ambitious curriculum that is highly effective in teaching children the skills they need for future learning. Effective key-person systems ensure staff get to know individual children extremely well. Staff plans are flexible and adapted to meet children's needs and interests. The rich range of activities on offer entices and engages children in learning. For example, babies delight in the sensory experience of using their whole body to explore edible paint.
• Staff skilfully support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to succeed in their learning. They quickly identify gaps in learning and use effective plans to meet individual needs. They work successfully with parents and a range of other agencies to ensure that the developmental needs of all children are being met. As a result, all children make excellent progress from their starting points.
• Leaders are passionate about ensuring children receive opportunities above and beyond those they may not ordinarily experience. Each term, children take part in enrichment activities, such as the 'bike academy', where children develop the skills to safely ride a bicycle.
• Staff fully embed a love of books into every part of the setting. They create inviting and cosy reading dens, which encourage children to explore the wide range of books on offer, both inside and outside. Staff use children's favourite stories to engage them in play. For example, children ride around on sticks recreating the story 'Room on the Broom', as they shout 'ziggety, zaggety, zoom!'
• Children's independence is supported from a young age by staff. At mealtimes, babies wipe their own hands and faces as older children self-serve food. Children are encouraged to use the 'nose stations' to wipe their own nose and place their tissues in the bins. As a result, children quickly learn self-care skills.
• Managers and staff place a high priority on introducing a healthy lifestyle for children of all ages. Children start the day with 'shake sessions', when babies dance with light-up shakers and toddlers enthusiastically move to actions songs. Older children recognise the impact that exercise has on their body, as they comment on their heart beating fast.
• Staff are aware of the current health issues relating to young children and take swift action. For example, an increase in young children's tooth decay has seen staff provide virtual oral health workshops for parents. They have also made changes to the meals provided, to reduce sugar in children's diets.
• Parents are extremely happy with the nursery and feel highly involved in children's development. Staff expertly share their knowledge to support parents to continue children's learning at home. For example, parents can access online support for a variety of developmental needs, such as toilet training.
• Managers have an excellent programme of professional development, which celebrates staff's ability and allows them to grow. An excellent mentoring system is in place to ensure consistent support throughout the nursery. As a result of the high-quality support, staff say they feel well supported, valued and have a voice.