The Nanny Barn

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Leaders have made considerable improvements to this nursery since the last inspection. They have taken the time to reflect on the provision and staff practice and brought about positive changes to improve the outcomes for children. Leaders have created a welcoming and homely environment. Children are excited to attend this nursery and love exploring the many different learning experiences which staff have carefully planned. Children thrive in this nursery. They are settled and develop good levels of self-confidence. This is because staff are nurturing and know the children incredibly well. Children take ownership and responsibility of the nursery environment and help to tidy up after playing and set the table for snack and mealtimes. This supports them to develop autonomy from a young age.

Children learn different ways to live healthy lifestyles. They enjoy nutritious snacks and home-cooked meals. Children have ample opportunities to play outside. They go on regular walks to explore the local rural area. Children have daily fresh air and explore the outdoors in all weathers. They learn how to keep themselves safe in different weather, such as wearing sun protection in the summer and warm, waterproof clothes in the winter. Children have a go at dressing themselves and changing out of wet clothes after water play. This supports children's independence skills.

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

• Leaders have a clear and ambitious curriculum intent in place. They have ensured that staff have a secure understanding of how young children learn. Staff attend regular training courses to continuously improve their knowledge. They plan learning experiences for children that support them to build on what they already know and can do. Therefore, children are being well prepared for their next stage in learning.
• Children have great fun exploring the outdoor area. They show high levels of engagement and involvement in water play. Children enjoy using pipettes, funnels and jugs to fill and empty water. This supports the development of their small and large muscles, ready for early writing activities, as well as their early mathematical knowledge and understanding. Staff are close by to play with and support children in their learning. This helps to build children's self-esteem.
• In the main, leaders and staff sequence children's learning to ensure that they have the skills needed to be ready for future learning. Children are learning about different places to travel and different modes of transport, such as hot air balloons. Children enjoy joining in with a craft activity, where they make their own hot air balloons. Some children have a go at using scissors safely with the help of staff. However, on rare occasions staff do not always implement the curriculum during children's play, to build on children's learning experiences consistently and coherently.
• Staff support children to make good progress with their communication and language development. They interact with children and hold quality back and forth conversations with them. Staff make great use of songs and stories to introduce new words to children. This supports all children's speech and emerging vocabulary.
• Staff have tailored plans in place to ensure that all children's individual needs are met. There is a qualified special educational needs coordinator in place. She has established good links with other professionals. This ensures that children's care and learning needs are well met. Children achieve their full potential in this nursery and are well prepared for their move on to school.
• Leaders self-reflect and evaluate the provision and staff practice effectively. Leaders support staff to continuously develop their practice. Staff attend regular training courses, such as 'Standing in the shoes of a 2 year old' and how to manage children's behaviour. Leaders and staff disseminate any learning from training courses to the rest of the team. This supports all staff to make improvements to their practice.
• Parents speak highly of this nursery and staff. They feel that their children make good progress in their learning and development as a direct result of attending this nursery. Leaders and staff communicate daily with parents, sharing children's next steps in learning. This helps develop strong relationships with parents and promotes continuity in learning.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• continue to support staff to implement the curriculum to provide children with learning opportunities during their play that consistently and coherently build on skills.