The Lemon Tree Nursery School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are free to play and explore the outdoors at this child-focused, nurturing nursery. Parents report that their children are flourishing. They feel the nursery 'nurtures the whole child and develops a genuine love of learning'. They praise the level of communication that the nursery provides about what their child is doing each day and how they are progressing developmentally.

Children develop strong, caring bonds with the dedicated staff. A combination of stay-and-play and settling-in sessions ensures that staff, children and families get to know each other well before children start. This helps children to settle quickly and feel safe at the nursery. Furthermore, staff develop a clear picture of each child's strengths, interests and areas to develop. This helps them to tailor the curriculum for each child effectively from their very first day. High ratios of staff to children provide additional opportunities for children to receive close care and attention. Staff support children to become resilient learners who are not afraid to try new things. Children make excellent progress.

Children excitedly run, ride and climb in the large open spaces, getting plenty of fresh air and exercise. Staff provide French, yoga, forest school and music sessions to enrich the curriculum further. Children's behaviour is excellent. Staff use positive reinforcement and regularly remind children of the setting's rules. This helps children to understand the behaviour that staff expect and teaches them how to keep safe.

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

• Staff are highly skilled at introducing new vocabulary to the children. For example, during an experiment with a large block of ice, staff encourage children to observe how it changes with the addition of heat and salt. Staff use words such as 'transforming', 'melting', 'smooth' and 'rough'. They skilfully extend children's learning by asking carefully thought-out questions about what is happening. They explain the process at an age-appropriate level. Children look at the ice at different points during the day to observe how it transforms into water. This frequent revisiting of the activity provides further opportunities for children to understand and consolidate the new vocabulary that they are hearing.
• Staff develop high levels of curiosity in the children. They provide a wide range of experiments to support children's understanding of the world. For example, children predict and test which objects float and sink and which are magnetic and non-magnetic. Children are highly engaged in their learning. They are developing the early scientific skills that they need to become inquisitive learners.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are exceptionally well supported. The dedicated special educational needs coordinators (SENCos) work with the rest of the team to identify children who require additional support. They quickly refer for advice from external professionals and work proactively with parents to ensure that all children make the best possible progress.
• There is a strong emphasis on developing children's levels of independence in the setting. Children learn to take care of their own belongings and manage their own personal needs. Children help themselves to the healthy selection of foods on offer at snack time. When they have finished, they independently wash up their own plates and cups.
• Children learn how to look after the planet. For instance, staff show older children pictures of sea creatures that have been negatively affected by pollution. Children then engage in activities where they need to 'free' toy animals wrapped in litter. They learn how to sort rubbish ready for recycling and use this knowledge to recycle the rubbish from their lunch boxes and at home. This shows that children apply what they have learned in a meaningful way.
• Staff support children to recognise and regulate their own emotions and sensory needs exceptionally well. They share strategies and resources with parents so that they can provide the same support at home. They arrange spaces and sensory resources that children can independently access to help them calm down when needed. This significantly enhances children's ability to manage their feelings and behaviour.
• The manager and her well-qualified team are extremely passionate about the care that they provide. They consistently evaluate their practice and constantly look for ways to improve. For example, after feedback from a recent survey, the manager is organising a summer picnic for families so that parents can get to know each other. The manager prioritises staff well-being. Staff feel highly valued, appreciated and supported.