The Maltings Day Nursery

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children truly flourish at the nursery, where they are valued as individuals and made to feel very special. They thoroughly enjoy their day playing and learning. Children particularly enjoy being outside where they become totally absorbed in their play. They show excellent concentration in their pretend play as they recreate activities they have seen elsewhere. Children learn to use tools safely during forest school-type sessions or when undertaking woodwork activities. Staff supervise children closely and put excellent safety precautions in place. They teach children how to hammer nails and saw wood without harming themselves. Older children demonstrate outstanding abilities as they firstly plan and draw what they want to make. Children's creativity is treasured by staff, who ensure children's artwork is attractively displayed and celebrated.

Younger children show their sense of security as they happily find their own playthings or join in with a focused activity. They show great interest in toy animals and particularly love making them splash in the water. Young children's good dexterity is further demonstrated at mealtimes when they feed themselves. Care practices, such as nappy changing, are carried out in an unhurried manner and give the upmost dignity and choice to children.

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

• Leadership is inspirational. The proprietor and managers have a clear vision of excellence and an ethos that is understood and shared throughout the nursery team. Managers use their expert knowledge of well-established childcare and teaching theory to develop the ambitious curriculum to prepare children for their future lives. The outstanding practice demonstrated by everyone is firmly built on the deep respect they have for each other, the children and their families.
• Staff benefit from excellent support from the proprietor and managers. Induction and ongoing training are well planned and targeted to ensure all staff have the high level of skill and knowledge that is expected of them. Staff talk enthusiastically about what they have learned and how this helps the children they care for. The proprietor places great importance on the well-being of the staff team. This was especially evident during the recent pandemic when new ways of working were embraced to ensure staff were not isolated or troubled by the uncertainties.
• The standard of teaching is exceptionally high throughout the nursery. Staff know the children well and make exceptional use of children's 'home adventures' to expertly weave their interests and fascinations through the planning. Equally, children's good communication is a priority and staff know how to enhance children's speech from an early age. Staff always acknowledge and respond to children's efforts to make themselves understood. Consequently, all children have a strong sense of belonging and confidence as they enjoy their day at nursery.
• Staff place a high priority on storytelling. They understand the positive effects this has on children's communication development and that it forms the foundations of early literacy. Staff demonstrate excellent skills as they recount familiar tales and use simple yet effective resources to capture children's interest. Children sit totally transfixed and are clearly calmed by the relaxing and familiar routines.
• Parents offer the highest of praise for staff and the practices at the nursery. They describe staff as 'amazing' and say that they go above and beyond what is expected of them. Parents recognise the exceptional strong bonds children have with staff. They say that communication is excellent and consequently, parents know what children are learning during the day. Parents are immensely thankful for the support given to them by the staff, who they say are 'dedicated' and 'professional'.
• The respectful approaches staff use throughout the nursery have an outstanding impact on children's behaviour. Staff give children time to finish what they are doing and they use songs to indicate a change in activity. Older children show good consideration for their friends and follow instructions exceptionally well. Staff react calmly when young children find sharing difficult. Their responses are highly supportive, and children are beginning to learn how to regulate their reactions to challenge.