The Little Blue Door

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive in this exciting, educational nursery. They have exceptionally close relationships with staff and demonstrate that they feel valued and welcomed. For example, children spontaneously cuddle into staff, beaming with happiness as they do so. Staff are extremely welcoming and nurturing and respond warmly to children. Staff praise babies as they babble and say simple words. As a result, children form secure attachments with staff and positively flourish in their care.

Children show positive attitudes to learning and make rapid progress in their development. They enjoy helping staff to plan activities, and this makes them feel valued and important. Children gain an excellent understanding of mathematics and use purposeful mathematical language in their play. For instance, when looking at numbers they quickly work out which number is the 'greatest' and which is the 'smallest'. Children then work together to line them up in order.

Staff provide children with an exciting range of experiences to practice their physical skills. Children enjoy frequent trips out into the community, enhancing their understanding of the natural world. For example, younger children enjoy a trip to a local museum to see a range of toys from different years.

Children are exceptionally kind, caring and thoughtful towards one other. They play together beautifully, cooperating extremely well as they create a world of fantasy with 'astronauts' and 'astronaut houses'. Children respectfully listen to each other as they engage in an interesting conversation about a meteor.

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

• Staff are extremely skilled at developing children's listening and communication skills. They quickly establish children's starting points and next steps in learning. Staff expertly plan activities to introduce new language to children. For example, when carrying out an activity on healthy eating, staff introduce the term 'nutrients'. Staff have high ambitions for all children and they deliver an exceptionally well-planned curriculum.
• Staff have a detailed understanding of children's individual needs. They use this knowledge to work with the manager to plan a clear, sequenced curriculum. Children receive high-quality teaching. This enables them to develop across all areas of learning. Staff skilfully adapt the activities so children have effective and well-managed challenge. For example, children independently clean the lunch area after eating. They develop a strong sense of pride and achievement as they receive praise for their excellent efforts.
• Staff use purposeful and thought-provoking questions to help children challenge and extend their own learning. They ask questions such as, 'I wonder what would happen if…' This encourages children to think and reflect on new ways to do things. Staff enthusiastically encourage children to share their backgrounds and experiences, which helps them learn about diversity.
• Children benefit from highly passionate staff who swiftly identify early development concerns. Staff work cooperatively with other professionals to ensure first-rate early intervention. For instance, staff provide one-to-one sessions to children who need additional support.
• Children have excellent opportunities to develop their independence. They are greatly encouraged to problem solve by 'having a go'. For example, when a child struggles to take a lid off a pen, staff say, 'Go on, I know you can do it'. Children respond with a big smile when they successfully achieve their targets.
• Children's behaviour is exemplary. Older children have designed the rules of the nursery such as, 'use walking feet'. Children follow these rules enthusiastically and remind younger children to follow them. Children work together to set out resources of their choosing. For instance, they help one another to carry drain pipes in the garden. They negotiate where they want to place them so that the cars, 'can whizz down them fast!'
• Parents are extremely positive about the care their children receive. Regular communication with parents ensures they are aware of activities their children enjoy and their next steps in their learning. Parents share that they feel included in the nursery and their children's development. They receive a detailed daily overview of their child's learning and progress. Parents comment that the nursery provides an 'extremely high standard of care and learning'. They also share that they appreciate that children have their own nursery book bag and can borrow books to share stories together at home.
• The passionate and experienced manager is extremely successful at reflecting on, and evaluating, the nursery. He continually strives to develop the nursery even further. Staff report that they have excellent support for their well-being and, 'have never worked somewhere so great before'. Regular and effective team meetings identify areas for professional development. Staff value training opportunities and eagerly select and access training of their choice. This leads to a highly skilled, motivated and experienced team.